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A Day at the Races

Around the Middle East

As I hitchhiked my way to Disa in Wadi Rum, I was picked up by 5 saudis crammed in a small jeep, all drinking smirnoff ice as a warm up for the big camel race they told me would take place the day after. With nothing much else to do I went to check it out.

February 4th, 2012


Spectators are looking at the camels, waiting for the race to begin.
Some guy walks around looking like he is keeping a watchful eye on the crowd of spectators.
A band of Bedouin arrive and park their camels in the corner.
Camels are graceful animals.
A couple of guys saw me walking around with a camera and asked me if I could take a picture of them and their camel. On the camel in the background is mounted with a small mechanical device holding a whip in place of a rider.
A camel caretaker. For some reason all the care takers where Nubian.
A girl is waiting at the starting line as the camels are gathered getting ready to begin the race.
The race starts as young boys chase the camels out of the start zone.
The judges are sitting by the finish line, noting down the numbers of the camels and their placement.
The winning camel gallops over the finish line.

Design, code and photos by Jonas Arnfred