Check out my Slide Show!

Camel Jockey Robots

A few of you have asked about the camel races and no riders on the camels..Well, they used to tie young children to the camels as the jockeys.  Why not? They are light weight and love a good ride, huh? The UN decided maybe the kids weren't having as much fun as everyone assumed they were so they outlawed anyone under the age of 15yrs to ride the camels during the races.

These resourceful Arabs didn't let the new law discourage them.  Now the camel jockeys are robots.  That's one reason for all the 4x4's racing around the track with the camels.  The whips on the robots are controlled by remote which is controlled by a man in the white 4x4.  These robot jockeys are well cared for and dressed very nicely..Emirates would have it no other way.  They even have visors on their hats to keep the desert sun out of their little robot eyes.

After seeing an actual race and the mass of camels and trucks racing around the track, it became clear to us why the robots are dressed in such bright, unique jerseys.  There is almost no way for the owners to find their camel during the race.

These last two photos were taken at the big camel track during a training day.

After the race we stopped by to check out the camels that are for sale...This one was only 20,000 AED.  Just under $7000.  I was tempted, but didn't think it would be very happy in our small backyard.

More Photos from Race Day

Check this out!  It's a contact sport!  I'm thinking possible ACL injury to the guy on the left!

This young man was happy to pose for a photo.  His camel had just won 4th place.

During the race only officials are riding camels.  This is one official riding behind the racers.

HERE THEY COME!! This is the home stretch...really...they are all stretched out and moving fast!

Goooood Morrrrrning Abu Dhabi!!!

I've griped and moaned about all the driving I do in this city but I have to admit...I love the mornings.  Without my responsibility to get the kids to school I would miss out on quality time with 4 of my favorite people, Sam, Cairo, Jack and Charlie.  I would miss out on practicing math problems and spelling words and listening to Weird Al and Hannah Montana songs.  And, I would miss out on the golden light of morning that seems to give me energy and hope for a new day and good things to come.  We are so blessed to have all that we have and to experience this part of the world.  I love Abu Dhabi mornings!

This is the mosque we see as we leave our compound and head to 4th street on our way to school...about 7:20am..Earlier if Sam has it his way!  He is our family alarm clock.

We are getting closer to school now...about 7:30am.

Beautiful palms in the dhow yard by Jack and Charlie's school...We make on time, no accidents, no incidents and we're off to another great day in Abu Dhabi.

Dad, Dave and Dhows In the Morning

I had to take photos of these beautiful dhows that we pass every morning on our way to school. Not a morning goes by that I don't think of my incredible brother Dave who just finished building his own sail boat.  And my Dad who was surely the inspiration and motivation to Dave's love for sailing and the hobby of building things...all things..wind related.  Their totems are definitely falcons..or hawks..Soaring majestic birds. (Shout out to Molly on the totem thing!)  Anyway, Dad and Dave are both competitive sailors and I love and admire them both so much.  I'm so happy that I have the dhows in the morning to take my thoughts "soaring" their direction every day.  Aren't these boats amazing works of art!

Thanks for the fun shirt Cook cousins!

Cairo loves Hannah Montana!  Madi and Avery and the whole family, sent her this fun T-shirt.  She wears it every chance she gets.  She's the only girl in school with this shirt.  Fun!

This is What They've Been Training For!!

Today was the first day of the final 10 days of the camel racing season here in Abu Dhabi.  After spending hours at the track watching them train, I finally made it to a race today.  Shari and I headed out this morning and we were NOT DISAPPOINTED.

It was what I would call controlled chaos.  Check out the video footage below.  Imagine, 75-100 camels in a holding pen..behind the green gate..They open it and the camels then have to race for a good position at the starting line.  The guys leading the camels are wearing flack jackets and helmets because it's similar to running with the bulls without the horns.  After they get lined up at the starting line, the official lifts a net and they take off.  Meanwhile, the guys holding the camels, they have to jump, run and roll out of the way to not be trampled.

The Final Push

It's the end of the camel racing season so there is BIG BIG money to be won and lots of fancy cars and, of course, bragging rights.  The races are in Abu Dhabi, beginning this Sunday so everyone is bringing their camels to the track and getting them settled and tested for dope, etc.  It is "more camels than you can shake a stick at.." As you'll see below.

Who's in charge here?  We watched them wrestle and wrangle this camel for over 10 minutes..He did not want to go for a ride in that truck..When we left, he was still on the ground.

Hitchcock Would Have Loved This...

I came home from spinning today and sat down to check email.  While I was sitting peacefully eating my Banoffee Pie (More on that later)...I started to hear chirping and noise from upstairs.  I thought, hmmmm it sounds like there is a bird in the house.  Bravely, and making lots of noise I went upstairs toward Sam's room where I knew we had an open window.  It was so quiet.  Only the sound of the pump in the turtle tank..OH NO THE TURTLES, Do birds eat turtles?  Suddenly I had a vision of turtle carnage all over Sam's room and just then...In a flutter of wings and wild chirping out came a bird right at me!

I screamed and ran out of the house and to the guards.  "MOOOOOHAAAAAAAMMMMMMEEEEEEED!  I screamed through the compound as I raced on weak knees through the courtyard.  Mohamed had just been there when I drove in a minute ago and now he was gone..No english speaking guards were there.  I made hand motions..(The kind you would make if you were trying to do a shadow bird)  The guys laughed and got a net and followed me to the house.  As we approached, a little bird came out Sam's window.  Relief.  We all saw it.  But, before the high fives and hand shakes I wanted those guys to check the turtles and make sure there wasn't anything too gross and no more birds.  They went into Sam's room and carefully checked the room.  The turtles were fine.  Window shut, they went to leave...As we all turned to go, at the end of the hall sat 2 birds..inside the house on the hallway window sill.  I screamed, the birds got spooked and the men laughed.  I went in my room and stayed until the coast was clear.  

When I got my wits about me, all I could think about was, where is my camera?  I need to blog this!  So I grabbed my camera and when they gave me the all clear I came out and took a photo of my new hero for the day!