Once I stepped into the complex I realized it was actually a nice looking place. I was expecting a couple of shops and a camel, but I was surprised to see almost a strip mall of small shops selling various goods. There was a fountain as well, along with not one but three camels. It was quite a change of scenery from the rocks and dirt I'm used to seeing on my walk to work everyday.
My friend Rembalski and I stopped by the grocery store and drank a couple bottled cokes. The good stuff, with real sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. After that we walked the strip and peered into the shops. A lot of the stuff looked interesting, but I like to window shop first and buy stuff later. Besides, I was too excited to shop because I was thinking about the camels. After we looked at all the shops we went over to try some fresh bread. It was a dollar for 3 huge pieces of bread. Who says the dollar isn't worth anything anymore? I had half a piece and ended up giving the rest away.
After all that, it was finally time to ride the camel. As we approached them we could sort of smell them. Plus, as we got closer, instead of being greeted by the happy camels that smile and want to give people rides on their humps we were greeted by an angry, tired camel that didn't like people. It kept on growling/wailing/snapping its mouth at us. The Iraqis had firm control but I wasn't very sure about it. After watching someone else ride the camel and not get mauled, I decided it was my turn. I approached the camel slowly, I was obviously a little nervous so the Iraqi grabbed me, impolitely I must add. I would've said something, but there was the fact I was surrounded by three of his angry, vicious camels. So I jumped on and the camel roared to life. It almost bucked me off it stood up so fast and at and such an awkward angle.
The whole ride I was thinking not of the camel I was riding, even though it stopped several times to itch itself with its hind leg that almost touched mine, but instead I was preoccupied with its two buddies that walked next to us. I suspect it was for the effect of riding a camel with other camels right next to you, but instead it just made me nervous with the camel snapping its mouth open and closed right next to my leg looking at me like I was committing an injustice to his friend. I tried to tell the camel sorry, but I think it understood Arabic and not English because as I mouthed the words, the camel just snapped its mouth at me. It was a short ride, but in my mind it was way too long. When we got back, the camel dropped its front legs and I was almost thrown over the camel like a kid over handlebars, at that point I decided I had enough. I jumped off and moved very quickly to a camel free area.
Rembalski took a ride after me and after he finished we decided that the camels were not very happy being ridden and that we would probably not partake in that experience again. Overall, I'd have to say that the bazaar was pretty fun and was a nice change of scenery. It was definitely worth a few hours of not sleeping, I'll probably go back next week to buy a few things, but no more camels for me.
Here is a pic to sum up my fun day:
