I struck camp and set off. The road was dirt, as usual, but felt good as there were few bumps. Small creatures on the road ahead were startled, and fled, as I approached. I saw a big marmot (weren’t they called tarvaga in Mongolian?). Lizards scuttled away on all fours to avoid being run over. Hedgehog corpses lay here and there, signs surely of the wilder side of nature starting. (from "Against the Wind" - Poolbeg Press)