In conversation with camels

For ages, camels have been an useful and reverred animal among the people of UAE. The camel market in Al Ain is a dip into traditional Bedouin culture in all means, except the buyers come in exotic cars and the sellers are mostly Afghans. The Afghans are able salesmen, and strongly built to tackle a camel gone rogue. The camels are brought from UAE, as well as Yemen, Sudan. Rehmadullah, from Kabul, a tall, broad shouldered 'pathan' is into camel business in UAE for over 10 years. "The sale has dipped over the last two years; But I am hopeful it will pick up from October" (once the camel race season begins) - He quips. From this market, camels are bought for breeding (males), as cattle for milk, and also for camel show and racing, which are the most expensive. Energy and playful banter is high, and the sellers work in groups to endorse a particular camel to the buyer. After a quick round of the offerings in his car, the buyer gets down into the pen. Inspection of the camel, and bargain for the price is quick. And the camel is loaded onto the truck. The Al Ain camel market is the last surviving market of its nature in UAE. With the country modernizing at a rapid pace, the existence of a camel market is numbered.