Girl Power in the Gobi desert

After a long drive over sandy roads, we arrive in the afternoon at a nomad family. Somewhere in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia.

We meet the Erdenebayar family where we will spend the night. But first, time for food! That moment when a steamy pan of grey organ meat (a delicacy here) is placed in front of us, I politely thank for the offered food and leave the ger. Outside brother and sister are playing. Enkhjin got a new bicycle for her fifth birthday, a few weeks ago. One with training wheels on each side, which is not very comfortable to ride in a sandy desert. Her brother thinks so too, as he is laughing at her. Enkhjin replies with her sad and frustrated little face.

The girl is very photogenic, but I hold back and wonder what a five-year-old girl would want.

I take a chance and walk towards her when she sits on her bicycle. With one hand behind her back and the other under her saddle I start to walk faster. Immediately she realizes what my intention is and she pedals furiously with her short legs to cycle quickly past her brother. We go so fast and having a wonderful time laughing and screaming of pure joy. This is what girl power looks like! Now it’s her brother who gives us his frustrated face.