ArticleWild East

Verona would've been a more or less ordinary town but for Juliet - and Juliet herself would've been a perfectly ordinary 13-year-old but for a tragic accident that robbed her of her physical life while securing her an eternal one in the collective memory of the human race. In other words, many wonders are, so-to-say, of humble origins - for instance, several relatively simple ingredients can create a country (as in “A man, a plan, a canal - Panama”, and this one is, in fact a double wonder). Likewise, an inconspicuous and not at all exciting object or structure can become a wonder if it finds itself in the right place at the right time - even a jail.

To be precise, a jail alone might not suffice to provide for a wonder. Some accessories prove to be essential - a small wares shop selling weapons, among other goods; a couple of “Wanted” posters (likely, of those who bought some weapons); a gallows (for those of the “wanted” who have actually been found and apprehended); last but not least, a bar - after all, no cowboys movie set would look realistic without one. Of course, typically dusty cowboys settlements aren't necessarily that wonderful or even unusual - unless they are located not far from the Red Sea, and served as an hors oeuvre for a tourist menu. That particular movie set in the town of Eilat in Israel also sets the tone for the “main dish” - an hour-long camel ride.

Cowboys are first and foremost just that, riders - and whoever wants to feel home in a cowboy village has to be able to follow suit or, at least willing to try. Many are, even though they might have previously seen even horses - let alone, camels - only through their car window. Encouraged by a light refreshment consisting of a somewhat salty scone and a cup of fresh tea, and inspired by the last rays of the setting sun painting the sky some indescribable combination of the rainbow and beyond, those brave hearts slowly approach their female mounts (the only male on set is too aggressive to be entrusted with newbies, while camel females are mostly indifferent, if not friendly, and rather docile). It takes some time to get used to the new “vehicle” but gradually the riders gain enough confidence to start believing they are in charge of the animal. In reality, the opposite is the case - the camels take the riders exactly where…the instructor wants them to, and they are slow enough to compete with snails and turtles! Of course, it's the tourists' fault - under experienced riders those "old ladies" suddenly turn into galloping racing steeds, and that's quite a show in its own right…