Night in Tunisia

Mount Up!

I can't post much today. Work is exceptionlly busy these days. But I wanted to put a bit down for you about the camel tour.

It took us a while to get ready to go. There were three camels staked to the ground. Two that appeared younger and one that looked much older and shaggy. Our guide had not yet arrived from town where he was buying supplies. We waited about ten minutes before he arrived, saddled up the camels (I know that sounds strange) and loaded the supplies onto the front, hanging from old potato sacks and shopping bags.

I should describe the saddles. It's the same traditional saddle they use on donkeys, a long colourful stuffed cushion folded down the middle and then strapped on to the camel from every direction: over the chest, under the belly and behind the tail. It is held in place on top by a wooden triangle with fitted joints. The saddles were old, but cheerful looking. It wasn't until we were on them that we realized how uncomfortable they are.

Camels are not like horses. They have a huge lump on their back and a strong back bone to support it. If you know horses, imagine a foot tall whither at the shoulders, and you on a cushion folded around the whither. Needless to say I brused by tailbone and my pubic bone. But you'll hear more about that later!

posted by tiaraletourneau @ 5:53 p.m.