Much as I’d
like to think these beautiful beasts are descended from mighty camels that
traveled the Silk Road through ancient Anatolia, I fear these humped critters
may well be in Cappadocia simply for tourists.
I’m pretty
well-traveled. Like to think of myself as savvy and multilingual.
But when I
left the very familiar confines of Istanbul for Urgup, Goreme and Avanos, I
think I may have discovered camels imported purely to encourage tourists to
stop for tented souvenir shops.
In other words, they are not even there so much for rides -- like mules for the Grand Canyon -- but to catch the eye of rubes like me.
I understand
about a dozen camels are in Cappadocia, and somehow survive its brutal winters.
The ones I
saw were extremely healthy.
My wife
loves camels, so I was sure to take some pictures.
Süleyman, a
26-year-old bactrian camel, is the only two humper in the region.
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