»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #27
»
blame (or thank) this repost on Cpat Hair
| Open Poetry #27 |
|
blame (or thank) this repost on Cpat Hair |
|
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia 
|
Think circa early 70's, the Middle East, real live spitting camels, an expensive camera, and mysterious nomadic Bedouins. I was traded for 12 camels... We were camped in the desert by the Red Sea, a small nomadic tribe of students, multi-nationally touring the shifting sands of the Sinai. My Dutch friend Tony spoke seven languages fluently, enough to get us into trouble every day of the week. We decided to visit our nearest neighbors, Bedouins camped on the dunes next door. We sat down on blankets and rugs on the floor in a circle sharing a hookah and bizarre conversations. I grasped bits and pieces of words, fronts and ends, but could not yoke enough together to comprehend. But Tony sure did. Time passed quickly in furtive glances and windmill gestures in smoky hazy air. My Dutch friend bantered and bartered easily, it seems no language barrier could stop his nefarious schemes. When I nudged him gently it was time to go, he shook his head, not yes, but no! I stood up to leave but was grabbed by the sleeve and pulled to nomadic ground amidst laughter all 'round. Tony headed for the exit flap shruggingly shaking his head as he said, "They offered me 12 camels, what else could I do?" I complained loud and long and told him he was as good as dead 'till he traded me back, but the Bedouins got mad and looked ready to smack, 'till Tony threw in his Leica with those 12 camelbacks, then the flap opened up and we went out of that tent We moved our camp to a dune far,far away. That night poor Tony sang his "I miss my Leica" tune. While I plotted revenge, I secretly smiled, for 12 camels in those days had been a good price in those wild nomadic lands of the Sinai. |
||
| © Copyright 2003 Kathleen Kacy Stafford - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
LOL.... can't blame me!!! I had nothing to do with the trading for camels... although 12 seems a bit low a price for one with fair skin... I would have to ask if the barter was with a group of men or just one? Might explain how you were merchandised and why the price was so low...LMAO |
||
|
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
LMAO, you should have been there...it was over 100F in that tent, and I was so well hook-ahed I couldn't even remember my own name. LOL, thanks for the fun, Ron. I'm still trying to figure out how to 'pay' Tony back. |
||
|
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Midnite....Great story...I thoroughly enjoyed it.....I'm sure you didn't see the humor in it until much later. (or did you?) Thanks for sharing this! |
||
|
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
LOL, Martie, I was too busy kicking Tony's butt to think about humor. But yes, I laughed my own off the next day...AFTER we moved our camp. |
||
|
Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Excellent write Kacy..held my attention right through.. which is tough for a person with an attention span like I have...LOL. Wonderful follow-up to the Captain's write. But only 12 camels?  ~Smiles & Hugs, Nancy~ |
||
|
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
LOL, in those days, out in the Negev desert, 12 was a pretty reasonable price for a scrawny 'old' blonde (already over the age of 21 and not a you-know-what anymore)  remember, it was before inflation  thanks for reading, and for that very kind comment, Nancy |
||
|
Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
So I wanna hear the story about the camelhair bikini and the wild camel ride escape! Twelve stinking camels. I could have bettered that offer... If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
||
|
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
 you do me a great honor, Larry I thought so too!Funny thing is? my ex-husband(NOT Tony, BTW) said he thought I'd only fetch 9 or 10 at best. Tony was going to beat him up, LOL, but I just laughed and then filed for divorce. SHEESH! BTW, the wild spitting camel ride is a whole nuther story  as is the bikini incident... [This message has been edited by Midnitesun (06-12-2003 07:12 PM).] |
||
|
gyiel marlok Member
since 2003-06-08
Posts 145OHIO |
that sounds like a helluva an adventure |
||
|
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
thanks friend! yes, it was an adventure to remember |
||
|
Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Kacy, I know. Why do you think I asked to hear those stories? Hmmm? Maybe at bedtime you can tell me another story! If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
||
|
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
LOL, I work nights, but am usually "free" in the mornings. Somehow, that doesn't sound quite right! |
||
|
icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
OK, so wait, what does one get for 12 camels these days? How about if I throw in a whole carton? *grin* |
||
|
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
LOL at that reply, ice. These days? that price could be doubled or halved depending upon whether or not you're wanting experience or freshness for your camel fare. |
||
|
Artic Wind Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080Realm of Supernatural |
LOL, Enjoyed ..... ARCTIC WIND |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
