Elsewhere, the chain might be little more than fast food, but in the Lone Star State soft serve is social fabric. Slide Show
Wandering the wild landscape by foot, the author reflects on his final meals before his return to America. SLIDE SHOW I
The country offers a range of dairy options, including a fermented milk George W. Bush tried. SLIDE SHOW I
In the country's vast flatlands, the author samples foods that have nourished Mongolians since Genghis Khan. He tries meat soup, clotted cream, yogurt, leeks, and orag, an unforgettable fatty, creamy delicacy that showcases the country's springtime milk.
In winter, nomads find warmth in salted milk tea, the "five snouts," and the addictive buuz. The author approached these winter delicacies with trepidation but soon learned the joys of celebrating the end of the season with a Mongolian feast.
