Years ago I dreamt that I was riding bare-back on a palamino horse on a large plain in Mongolia. Many of our dreams do not “come true.” But this is one dream I want to fulfil.

However, I went vicariously through my friend “Red” (Carell Doerrbecker) who, with her husband Konrad, flew to Asia (including Hong Kong, China and Mongolia) this July and returned with some fabulous stories that she shared with me, Ted and Merrily Spearin, Paul Persofsky and Jen Janes over breakfast in Toronto, Canada in early August.

Turns out she almost didn’t make it to Mongolia because she flirted with the wrong guy in Hong Kong.

Here’s “Red” recounting what happened.

Konrad’s team has just won gold, silver and bronze at the World Championship of Dragon Boaters in Hong Kong, (July 04-05, 2012). Before flying to Beijing, we go to see the 112-foot majestic, slate-grey statue of the Buddha which is surrounded by statues of bodhisattvas. In the distance stands the Po Lin Monastery. Joining the tourists are cows and bulls! I pat the cows. No problem. They are docile.

Now, back home in Toronto, whenever a dog comes to me to get groomed, I start the ceremony with “Who’s the handsome boy?” accompanied by a wink.

So I saunter up to a Brahmin bull and extend my hand to pat him, saying “Who’s the handsome boy?” I don’t remember if I winked or not. But what I can tell you for certain is that that’s the last time I’ll flirt with a bull. His head goes down. His horns hit my legs. I fly threw the air. I land in a square where people wait for buses……My initial evaluation of this guy so far? He plays rough.

Konrad, startled but not surprised — my red hair, like Anne of Green Gable’s, gets me into these kinds of situations every once in a while — runs over to help me. “What was the very last thing you said to that bull?” he demands?…Oh don’t tell me, I know…Who’s the handsome boy?” I nod numbly. My face is now as red as my hair. “You’re lucky he didn’t kill you,” says Konrad. “He could have. He chose not to.”

Maybe with my red hair the bull mistakes me for a Spanish matador with his red flag. Or perhaps my flirtatiousness — “Who’s the handsome boy?” — encourages him to get overly-familiar with me, even though it was our first date. Or maybe that is just his way of showing friendliness! At any rate, Konrad laughed for the rest of the two-week trip.

Here are five pics to accompany the story above.

Carell “Red” Doerrbecker in Mongolia

“Who’s the handsome boy?” – Brahmin bull – Hong Kong, July 2012

Konrad’s team wins gold, silver and bronze – Hong Kong, July, 2012

Statue of bodhisattva – Hong Kong, July 2012

Buddha statue; Po Lin Monastery – Hong Kong,  July 2012

Other pics with descriptive captions of “Red’s” and Konrad’s trip to Mongolia, July 2012:

“Red” and Konrad with white gers (felt-lined tents) in the background – Mongolia,  July 2012

Buddhist Temple in Terelj National Park

Princess Temple ruins – build for Manchurian princess who refused to spy on Mongolians; also her tomb – Khan Khentii Mountain Range, Mongolia,  July 2012

Prayer Wheels – Aryabel Temple, Terelj National Park, July 2012

“Red” and Hawk – Mongolia, July 2012

Konrad and “Red” with father of the host family – Mongolia, July 2012

Guide for the horse trak potion of their rip in Mongolia. “Red” tells me: “Mongolians don’t name their horses — it would be like naming your arms!” – Mongolia, July 2012

Spectacular view of plains from Aryabel Temple, Terelj National Park, Mongolia, July 2012

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