When you go to the Middle East, you have certain things your in mind you want to see: traditionally dressed locals, desert dunes and camels. When I first went I saw plenty of the first two, but only saw a camel much later in my trip. When I was in Abu Dhabi for the first time, my priority was to see a camel.
I became consumed with the camel fever, especially after finding out about a camel souk (market). How could I get there? Where was it? Was it open? After several dead ends, a group of us found information about the camel souk and although our guide was not thrilled at the prospect of visiting a marketplace dedicated to the camel, we went.
Located on the edge of a small town, the camel souk was a haphazard jumble of pens, containing camels of different sizes, ages, and types. A few camels were tethered to stakes in the middle, the focus of negotiations as groups of men sat smoking, drinking tea and discussing business as we arrived in our small van.
Instead of staying together, the group split up, whisked away by various camel herders, eager to show off their fantastic offerings to these curious foreigners. I wondered if they realized we were just window shoppers – not serious buyers. I was encouraged to come close to a pen, and pet the camel. I was a bit reluctant, but wanted to see the beasts up close – with the skinny legs, big eyes and long eyelashes. At last – the beast of burden right there!
The herder was excited to show off his camels, but he wanted to know about me – and started firing questions to me in broken English. Where was I from? Was I married? Why wasn’t I married? Thankfully I was aware of this interest of the locals in foreign women, and had my prepared answers – Canada, not married and not married because my Dad hasn’t allowed it. Fathers play a primary role in this culture, so it was a good response to my eager farmer, who boasted to me about his two wives.
The farmer then simply explained more about his pride and joy: the age of camels, that some were farm camels (used as work animal), meat camels (to be eaten) and the biggest prize, the racing camel, revered as much as the racehorse. I noticed the difference with the racing camels – scrupulously groomed, sporting prettier and fancy bridles and blankets and were given separate pens. Definitely the divas of the camel world.
I took several photos of the camels and as the group reconnected and shared information about we had learned, I realized we all had camel fever. After finding out prices, one colleague joked about us pooling our funds to buy a racing camel and make some money when the race season started. Another wanted to bring a camel home, knowing his kids would love it as a pet.
For me, seeing so many of these beasts satiated my camel lust. At least for that day.