Lovely! Your piece brought back some wonderful adventures and fun of my own! Having lived in the ME for a very long time, we called the lizards dubs, which is what the locals called them. And yes, they can be large and very intimidating! I remember once getting a call from a neighbor who came home from the commissary to find a giant dub taking shelter from the heat in her entry way. I hustled over to "help", having encountered several out on the golf course before. But this one was having none of it. He growled and slashed his tail at us for several minutes before actual qualified help arrived.
Oh my goodness! That would be terrifying! I wouldn’t want to encounter one of those lizards hissing and slashing at me! That is quite an experience. I live in Texas and we have lots of lizards here, but most of them are quite harmless. I’ve had numerous experiences with them, but nothing like hissing and slashing of tails. One time a green gecko decided to straddle my toothbrush and it scared the snot out of me… but that hardly compares to your giant dub experience. Lol!
We had numerous encounters withe dubs, and the bedouins would tell stories about them all the time. The most memorable one had to do with a "curse" someone cast by writing it on paper and sewing it into the eyelids of a large dub. The dub was eventually captured by someone else, and when the paper was removed the "curse" was, as well. Gosh they were such amazing storytellers!
It was quite an experience, Katy. I was more than happy to get off of Mr. Jolie. Once was enough for me. Lol! Thanks for reading Expect the Unexpected.
Another great story. It's wonderful to learn about camel riding from the perspective of someone who's just thrown into it, as you were. I felt like I was swaying up there with Mr. Jolie! What an experience it must have been. I also enjoyed learning about the Oryx and the Desert Monitors.
Thank you so much Renato. I was glad to get off of Mr. Jolie. Some things look so easy when you watch other people do it. There’s nothing like an wholehearted fun adventure to keep life interesting.
It is interesting how many animals live in the desert and how they survive. The expanse was actually teeming with life when my eyes were opened to it.
4:45 a.m.? Check, please. Although passing on things just because of a ridiculous start time means you miss out on unique experiences such as your camel sojourn.
I love taking wonderful trips to places I may never see curtesty of your writing and fantastic photography. I'm curious, are camels affectionate animals?
Lovely! Your piece brought back some wonderful adventures and fun of my own! Having lived in the ME for a very long time, we called the lizards dubs, which is what the locals called them. And yes, they can be large and very intimidating! I remember once getting a call from a neighbor who came home from the commissary to find a giant dub taking shelter from the heat in her entry way. I hustled over to "help", having encountered several out on the golf course before. But this one was having none of it. He growled and slashed his tail at us for several minutes before actual qualified help arrived.
Oh my goodness! That would be terrifying! I wouldn’t want to encounter one of those lizards hissing and slashing at me! That is quite an experience. I live in Texas and we have lots of lizards here, but most of them are quite harmless. I’ve had numerous experiences with them, but nothing like hissing and slashing of tails. One time a green gecko decided to straddle my toothbrush and it scared the snot out of me… but that hardly compares to your giant dub experience. Lol!
We had numerous encounters withe dubs, and the bedouins would tell stories about them all the time. The most memorable one had to do with a "curse" someone cast by writing it on paper and sewing it into the eyelids of a large dub. The dub was eventually captured by someone else, and when the paper was removed the "curse" was, as well. Gosh they were such amazing storytellers!
That is wild!
Oh the adventures you have had❣️
What an experience, Lois! And the photos!
Thanks for sharing another great tale packed with intrigue and information, Lois. You do such a great job with these!
Absolutely loved this story!!
Cool! I need to put the Arabian Desert on my desert hit-list!
Very evocative - having ridden camels before, I now feel slightly seasick! 🤣🤣
It was quite an experience, Katy. I was more than happy to get off of Mr. Jolie. Once was enough for me. Lol! Thanks for reading Expect the Unexpected.
What an interesting adventure! Loved it!
Thank you, Lynda. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Another great story. It's wonderful to learn about camel riding from the perspective of someone who's just thrown into it, as you were. I felt like I was swaying up there with Mr. Jolie! What an experience it must have been. I also enjoyed learning about the Oryx and the Desert Monitors.
Thank you so much Renato. I was glad to get off of Mr. Jolie. Some things look so easy when you watch other people do it. There’s nothing like an wholehearted fun adventure to keep life interesting.
It is interesting how many animals live in the desert and how they survive. The expanse was actually teeming with life when my eyes were opened to it.
Have a wonderful weekend.
4:45 a.m.? Check, please. Although passing on things just because of a ridiculous start time means you miss out on unique experiences such as your camel sojourn.
Not my usual time to rise and shine, I assure you Bill. Although I know several early birds who are up and at ‘em by that time every day.
The general idea was to get into the desert, have breakfast, and be back out of the desert before it got too scorching hot out there.
It was worth it. Mr. Jolie was an interesting acquaintance to make. I’ve never met a guy like him!
Great travelogue, Lois and luvluvluv the critters featured here!
I love taking wonderful trips to places I may never see curtesty of your writing and fantastic photography. I'm curious, are camels affectionate animals?