Queen of the desert

25 March 2006
This afternoon produced the funniest moment of the trip yet. We were given last-minute permission to visit Jericho (which is still Palestinian-controlled). Site-wise, there wasn’t much we could see. But as we stopped to shop at one of the gift stores, my mom decided she wanted to ride a camel that was sitting in the parking lot. A young man named Samir helped her up into the saddle and after a very wobbly stand-up by the camel they took off across the parking lot. It was only a short circle around the lot, but seeing my mother on the back of a camel and listening to her laugh made me crack up myself. She really seemed to enjoy it. I still can’t believe she did it. It was worthy!