Two Years Already?

Jerash, Jordan

Two years is quite a long time in a writer's world. In a few days it will be two years since this blog began. Bloggers tend to mark that sort of anniversary thing, taking ourselves seriously once a year ... if at all. Makes us feel efficient. Or anxious. Will I run out of camel stories before the next one rolls around?

One gets addicted to travel. Not of course to the dreary, practical details (weather forecasts ahead; packing to be hands-free; airport torments) but to the idea of being there, somewhere significant and wondrous, somewhere pulling seductively at your curiosity. What will I have in common with them? Are they much different from us?

Add in a family history addiction and target lands become obvious. Thankfully I have fulfilled most yearnings for the old family origins but it's difficult to decide between ancestors and other attractions. I have no connection to the stunning landscapes of Vietnam or the ancient people of Ethiopia and yet I long to see them.

Then again, my personal travel agenda looks for camel opportunities (oh really?) which further complicates travel decisions. After all, the budget is limited and the body declines. Cruising has become a (not entirely satisfactory) means of exploring new places; comfort becomes an unapologetic necessity at my age but day-long excursions are seldom quite enough.

Well, a few past favourites (actually, all from land trips):

Dutch camel - http://camelchaser.blogspot.com/2015/05/dutch-camel-love.html

Pushkar camel - http://camelchaser.blogspot.com/2014/08/pushkar-india-2008.html

Tozeur camel - http://camelchaser.blogspot.com/2015/10/tozeur-tunisia-2013.html

Shaolin camel - http://camelchaser.blogspot.com/2015/11/shaolin-china-2014.html

And the unforgettable camel show at the docks in Djibouti. Even a panoramic shot would not be wide enough to show the extent of the sheds and the liveliness of the young beauties.

Djibouti camels - http://camelchaser.blogspot.com/2014/04/djibouti-east-africa.html

My draw to a particular part of the world is clear, and is coming not just from the magnificent beasts I admire but also from the mysteries of the Rift Valley ― origins of mankind ― and monuments of age-old civilizations.

Since the earth will drastically change in the next few generations ― is changing now! already polar bears are swimming for their lives to find sanctuary ― I am grateful for whatever historical/archaeological bits I can still see. Regrets? Oh yes. Not going to Syria in 2007 before daesh(1) began destroying humanity's heritage! Not having the suppleness of a 30-year-old to undertake an extended camel safari!

Nonetheless, forging on. Estonia, you are still on my list! ☺

(1) See http://www.northeastern.edu/news/2015/11/3qs-what-using-the-name-daesh-rather-than-isis-or-isil-really-means/.

© 2016 Brenda Dougall Merriman

Shaolin, China 2014

Shaolin Temple is located at Song Shan, near the city of Zhengzhou in central China, and is "the home of Zen Buddhism and Kung Fu."[1] Beginning about fifteen hundred years ago the storied monks developed their martial arts skills to a renowned degree in order to keep fit and support their meditation practices, but ultimately their prowess enabled them to survive the vicissitudes and changing fortunes of China's history. At times, the masters of Kung Fu were the favoured elite warriors for different rulers. (available for "special ops" one might say).

On our way to the temple, we made an unscheduled visit to one of the many Kung Fu schools in the area. Hundreds of kids, all ages, were going through outdoor drills on a sunny March day. Others came excitedly to hang on the fence, laughing and chattering away to us. A fun greeting on both sides. Squads of all ages were being trailed by the little guys. Indoors, some of the boys treated us to a brief performance of the skills they learn: it was truly awesome! The acrobatic element was stunning, so much more than I expected. They move like lightning, almost impossible to capture the quicksilver movements with an amateur camera.

  

 Kids as young as four can start here, including girls these days. It's a residential school where the youngsters see their parents only about once a year. Apparently one of the benefits is a healthy remedial effect on delinquent "problem" children. In the end, their superior training puts them in demand for desirable jobs in the army and police forces.

At the temple complex, we walk through a lovely, peaceful park called the Pagoda Forest because it is the monks' burial ground alongside a small river. The most revered have grandiose stone tombs. As strolling visitors, we are at the forefront of tourist season.

But uh-Oh! On a bridge to the right I spot the most magnificent Bactrian camel, obviously set up and groomed for photo opps.

Can't take my eyes off him, rush over, pay my 20 yuan, ditch my jacket, and mount the camel (all the while knowing most of my oblivious group is disappearing down the path). Quite the stand has been rigged for mounting. A very comfortable saddle, padded with extra wool. Why not ― look how much this lush beast has to spare! But the wary animal turns his head a couple of times, trying to bite my leg; see the gob marks on my knee. Man in charge takes my camera for the photos but also a couple of friends are clicking away. Rush-rush. Then I have to wait while they process and laminate the photo. Meanwhile Lisa the tour leader discovers our absence and reads me the riot act of disapproval. One must not detour without permission.

We catch up to the group at the temple entrance. It's a series of rooms or temples within the temple as a whole, each higher than the one before, associated with the levels of Kung Fu (remember that movie, The Karate Kid?). Wonderful trees here, especially an ancient gingko. Several hours walking and climbing around leave us drooping. Clearly we lack the physical stamina and discipline of the estimable monks.

A lot of excitement and experiences in one day and that was just our afternoon! The morning had seen us hiking along the Huan (Yellow) River to the Longmen caves at Luoyang where many statues of Buddha are carved into a steep mountain side. Vegetarian dinner tonight; this is Buddhist country. We celebrate our exhilarating day.

[1] Sara Naumann, "A Brief History of Shaolin Temple, Home of Zen Buddhism and Kung Fu," AboutTravel (http://gochina.about.com/od/zhengzhou/p/Shaolin_History.htm : viewed 14 September 2014).

© 2015 Brenda Dougall Merriman