We somehow crammed nine people into Buyanto's Volga for a drive across the pastures and rolling landscape. Buyanto sang us Buryat folk songs as we took in the magnificent view. Our hosts showed us sacred Buryat places, including a burial ground that dated back to when this land was part of Genghis Khan's vast empire.

A deeply religious man, Buyanto brought us to a special place of prayer. Once again we were given a privileged glimpse into Buryat culture and religion.

Later we visited the village school, where children dressed in traditional costume performed a short program of Buryat music and dancing. This was followed by an invitation to tea in the home of the school's director. The "tea" ended up being a full-blown meal which lasted much of the afternoon. Afterward, we wandered the dirt roads of the village, where we met and spoke with Zhargat and Bakhar, Indira, and Taba.