Munguntuya stood at the edge of Khuvsgul Lake, the early morning air cold on her cheeks. The water looked like glass, perfectly still, almost too calm. She closed her eyes and whispered to herself: “Today would be different.” She had come here for a week-long break — the first real rest she’d taken in years. Between raising her son, running her tiny online shop, and helping her parents, she had forgotten what it felt like to breathe without rushing. She pulled her jacket tighter and walked...

Chapter 1: An Adventurous Plan The wind in Ulaanbaatar can be strong. Some days it tastes like dust and smoke. Some days it smells like rain. On one such day, two friends sat on a bench near Sükhbaatar Square and watched the sky turn pink. Sarnai had a notebook on her knees. She liked to plan. She wrote lists of things to do and lists of dreams. Temuulen had a camera in his hands. He took photos of people walking by. “We should go,” Temuulen said. “Go where?” asked Sarnai without looking up....

My name is Saruul. I am a mother of two children. I live in Ulaanbaatar. I work in an office during the day, and in the evening, I study English. Every day is busy. In the morning, I cook breakfast for my children. I help them get ready for school. Then I go to work. At the office, I answer phone calls, write reports, and go to meetings. When I come home, I feel tired. But at seven o’clock, I have my English class. Sometimes I want to rest. Sometimes I think, “Maybe I will not study today.”...