Iraq Border and finally...some camels

Walking a camel

Falcon

In February (I'm really behind on the postings), a group of teachers and I rented a car and decided 'Meh, let's go to the Iraq border'. Of course we wouldn't be allowed to cross without a visa, but we still wanted to venture that way and give Iraq a big f-you. Iraq is a good 200 km drive, so of course along the way we would take pit-stops at various locations.

First one, an actual geological land form in Kuwait. This is rare, people. Kuwait is flat...desert, sand...flat. So to see a mountainous looking land. We had to explore. We drove to the top in a vehicle that was not 4-wheel drive aka it was a slow journey up the hills. Once we got there though, the sights were breathtaking. Four-wheelers were cruising around, families having picnics, and other cars off-roading on the dunes. After about an hour at this site, we continued on our trek and landed at a camel farm. Yes, a farm with camels.

Hello Iraq

IRAQ

Finally, I was beginning to think camels didn't exist in Kuwait. I thought camels in the desert was like kangaroos in Australia or squirrels in NJ, but apparently they are only in very remote areas or on farms. So, these kind gentleman (who seemed bored out of their minds anyway) welcomed us onto their farm and let us pet, feed, and WALK their camels. Sadly, they were pregnant and males are vicious so we couldn't ride them. But walking them was just as thrilling. We all had our fill, but the men were like 'we have more' yallah come. We went to the back and saw horses, dogs, more camels (that were in 'time-out' for fighting), and a FALCON. These men owned a falcon. Which to me was horrible, but I guess if they have it--may as well hold it. One of those, if you can't beat them--join them ordeals. I was the only one willing to put on the glove...what an experience. They're beautiful birds. Continuing on, we made it to the border. Where pictures aren't allowed -_-. Good thing for camera phones!

What picture?

Secretively, I took pictures and had my subjects play nonchalant. Since we couldn't take actual pictures near the border gate like we originally planned, we went further down to another section that was fenced off. So the boys could express their feelings about the country. Us girls thought, let's spell out IRAQ instead--better for us. Since we couldn't participate in their fun.






Lastly, on the way back...we stopped at an abandoned town. Not sure if it's remains of the invasion or not--probably was since it was so close to the border--but it was fun to climb through-over-and play "call-of-duty" in.