The inscrutable gleam in the eye of the camel

It’s true that one knows more about a country that one visits than the one where one has lived for years. It’s clearly a case of its home-grown attractions being ignored simply because they’re there. We presume we have all the time in the world to see these at leisure some day..

But I have learned that we often overlook things of beauty closer home in favour of other more remote locations which appear exotic because they are unfamiliar. It’s a case of “ many a flower is born to blush unseen”, with due apologies to Thomas Gray.

So, we rave about places such as the picturesque Greek isles or the south of France. We read up all we can about these to glean even more knowledge. By the time our research is done, we probably know more about the place than most of its denizens.

I travelled to Ireland many years ago and was taken to the Giant’s Causeway and ended up telling my hosts (true blue Irish) the legend of Finn McCool. Imagine my surprise when they had no idea who I was talking about. Of course I had to make the most of the moment and did manage to make them feel sheepish about not knowing their own folklore!

But the tables were turned when I entertained my German friends in Dubai and they enlightened me about many places which I had heard of but had never visited. This was in the pre-Burj Khalifa period when the best building for a panoramic view of the city was the Dubai World Trade Centre. I had no idea that one could go up there for a minimal fee during viewing hours. I just presumed that if you wanted an aerial view, you waited till you flew out of Dubai and could look down at familiar landmarks and feel the thrill of recognition.

I am expecting some guests from Australia whom I shall be glad to see but their visit will also give me the opportunity to see places here I have only passed by, smug in the knowledge that I have all the time in the world to see them simply because I live here. Just knowing they are there has been enough for me, at least so far.

But my pals have already sent me a list of things they plan to do on their short visit here. Reading it I wondered whether I should just place myself in their more than capable hands and follow their lead. Perhaps this will be my only chance to see all the places people back home ask me about. My answers to such questions are normally evasive and manage to give the impression that I know these spots like the back of my hand, without disclosing the tiny detail that I have yet to see these up close and personal.

But before anyone gives up all hope of my ever getting better acquainted with this wonderful place we call home I would like you to know that I am not a completely lost cause. I have had my share of desert safaris. Each time I have visitors they somehow convince me that my company would be a welcome addition and I am always taken in by the blatant flattery. However, one bumpy camel ride later, I have been known to make a resolution never to try this again.

I don’t know if the beast senses that it might as well have some fun while it goes about the mundane duty of entertaining gullible tourists but it has been known to resort to some unsettling movements when I am on its back. By the time the ride comes to an end, I don’t know who is more relieved ‑ the camel or me. And, somehow, that gleam in its eye as I extricate myself from my uncomfortable perch seems rather suspicious.