Turning 30 and Riding a Camel

My birthday started with me making peach crepes for Sparky and myself. I didn't realize how easy they would be to make, and I was so proud of myself!

Sparky surprised me with something I've wanted to do ever since I got here: a desert safari. The evening began with one speed-demon driver picking us up to take us out into the desert. No kidding, he went over 180 kilometers an hour (that's over 100mph for you Americans). Craziness.

At first, Sparky and I thought our little carfull would be the only people at this safari. (There were 5 of us in the car). Oh no! We pulled up to the Monster Truck Rally, and the fun began. When Sparky had signed up for this thing, she didn't notice the brochure said "4x4'ing on the sand dunes." OH YEAH. We got out of the off-roader and took a few pictures while the driver let some air out of the tires (something about that lets them spin well on the dunes). When we got up to get back in, he said, "Seat belt!" We knew we were in for a ride, because round these parts, nobody's heard of seat belts, much less enforces the wearing of them.

I wish I could show you pictures from the sand duning, but I was holding on for dear life. Or prying Sparky's fingernails out of my arm. Seriously, way more fun than any roller coaster I've ever been on. When we got out, I was so jittery I couldn't feel my fingers, and I couldn't walk straight. It rocked!

We got to stop and watch the sunset. It gave us a quick repreive from our belly-churning ride. It was a great sunset! From there we headed off to the 'bedouin camp' (yeah right--the tourist trap set up like a bedouin camp), where we were greated by some not-so-friendly camels. The front one was Bobby, the middle was Hero, and the third (who refused to sit) was Robbie.

Robbie was a little grumpy and gave attitude to everyone. He grunted like Chewbacka from StarWars, tried to head butt me, and spit on me from behind, despite his muzzle. Good thing I rode Hero, huh?

Check it out--the Nomad finally rode a camel! It was so fun. I liked riding a camel much more than elephants.

After we rode the camels, we went into the 'bedouin camp.' Right by the front gate was some yummy Arabian tea, and a guy making what were basically Arabian doughnuts. They were yummy. Sparky and I sat down to have henna done. I love henna! Love it! Sparky had it put on her leg.

There were a bunch of men smoking 'sheesha' (or 'hubbly bubbly' in English, or what I used to refer to as the 'Turkish bong.') It's a water pipe that smells divine. I promise I didn't smoke any. Promise. (I mean, come on, do you think I'd kop a squat there with all the men and say, "pass the pipe!"? Yeah right.)

After all that fun, Sparky and I found a table to sit at and relax. We attempted to take a picture of the two of us, and after about 30 attempts that we were unhappy with, finally gave up. We enjoyed a "Arabian meal." HA! It was a buffet, with spaghetti, all sorts of Indian food, and shish kebabs and hummus. I'm not saying it wasn't good--it was--it just didn't seem very Arabian. After the meal, a belly dancer came out and shook her belly (among other things). She only danced for one song. They she started pulling people up on the stage with her, and made some men very happy, I guess. She tried (with alot of strength, I might add) to pull Sparky and I up on the stage, but we absolutely refused. I've had enough dancing in public this week.
And so the sun set on another year, another decade. It was a good birthday. And I'm kinda excited about being 30!