Camel Races

Where are we supposed to go??? The starting line....
A very determined camel trying to please the master!

Last week we went to the traditional past-time of camel racing here in Doha. I really don't know how to begin to explain how it all works, or how unbelievably crazy it is. But I will try....First we drove 30 km out of Doha to a little town we like to call Camel Town. Everywhere you look you see camels and hundreds of them. All year round they are roaming around and are also rode to keep in shape for the up coming races. The race track itself is relatively normal, like a horse track. You have a line up of 20 or more camels and instead of a jockey riding them, they have been attached with a little robot that sits on top. This robot is remote controlled to whip the camel for faster speeds! On the left side of the track you have the trucks with the cameras and camera men and along with them you have the guys controlling the robots in their Landcruisers. All are moving around the track as the camels are running. Then on the right side of the track you have us, the spectators. Now imagine this, 40 - 50 Landcruiser SUVs driving around the track, weaving in and out of each other trying to keep up with the lead camel. Luckily the speeds are only 40kph or else it would be life threatening. We went around for about 6 races and made it out with no scratches. Though we did see a few bumps and a fender ripped off of another guys SUV. When it was all over and we decided to go, we were all exhausted (the camels probably more considering it is 40 degrees out) mostly from the adeneline rush you get from the other drivers! It is a must see if you come to Doha! And mostly because you would never believe or understand fully without seeing with your own eyes!!!