I am often asked where that long enduring interest for Mongolia comes from. Here is the little story

I am often asked where that long enduring interest for Mongolia comes from. Here is the little story: The first time I heard about Mongolia was from my grand father and his tale as a war prisoner during world war II. I must have been 7 or 8 years old. Both my grand fathers in the French army had been prisoners in Germany during the war. One of them, Louis, had been rescued in late 1944 by a detachment of Mongol soldiers who had joined the war under Soviet commandment. Mongolia was part of the Soviet block at the time. As a child, I remember the sparks of light in my grand father’s eyes and laugthers as he described how the German had run away at the first sights of those foreign and strong Asian men coming from a remote country he had barely heard of before, assaulting the camp and delivering all prisoners. He used to describe how all prisoners, American, British, French and the Mongol soldiers jumped at each others arms euphorically. This scene left in my mind an indelible picture and a first interest in Mongolia and Mongols. I thought I probably owed that country and these people my grand father’s life. I am heading back to Mongolia right now, just on time for the beginning of the winter, where I will be on assignment for @avauntmag magazine and completing a personal project. #mongolia #mongol #avauntmagazine -- source link

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