I didn’t know we were going to ride camels. I felt a little better after finding out these were two-humped camels. When it was time, the camel herder brought the camels that were on duty. His young son and daughter were with him. The herder’s ger is not too far away. Soon, at least ten other camels moseyed over. What do you call a place where there are many camels parked? Camelot!

I remember saying, “I will shit my pants and my camel,” when my six-year-old camel stood up. Camels are so tall! We were reminded to always lean back instead of forward when we felt like we could be thrown off. We traveled as a caravan, and each person is supposed to hold the rope that leads the camel behind us.

Mutiny and a tantrum

Within three minutes, Kenric’s camel decided he didn’t want to be led by me and ran off while my two friends’ camels behind him followed. Driver Uncle ran after them and saved the day. Not long after that, Jessie’s camel was throwing a tantrum. Yuka (our guide) said the camel herder told her that Jessie’s camel is not happy being last in the caravan because she was usually the first or in the middle. So, after about 45 minutes, Steph and Jessie switched positions, and the drama queen camel finally simmered down a little.

An extra 30 minutes!

The desert, blue sky, white clouds, birds, foot prints from thousands of cows, sheep, and goats, and whatever vegetation that was able to eke out a living in the sand dunes were all mesmerizing. It was so great Yuka extended our ride by 30 minutes! When we were almost back to the ger camp, the herder’s camel (the one in the front) started calling for her children. They, and the rest of the herd responded excitedly and hurried over to the greet us, as did the herder’s little boy, daughter and wife. What a lovely sight.

I was surprised I was able to stand afterwards. I thanked my sweet camel and told him he had beautiful eyelashes. Kenric wished there had been protection for his package. Ouch! ???

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