12th November 2013
29c
Al Hibil Animal Market - Luxor
I decided to visit an animal market in the hope of seeing many varieties of four legged animals; alas there were only cows, buffaloes and donkeys and one horse; Sadly, no camels, goats or sheep.
I set off at 7-am to get there early enough to capture the atmosphere. Oooo, it was cold and only 16c, I wore a jacket and scarf on the motorbike.
This market is the El Hibil Animal Market and is in a village near to the airport. On arrival I could see that there was chaos leading to the entrance. People were trying to park there vehicles and people were trying to exit the enclosed market area. Just inside the entrance was bedlam, it was a dangerous place to be and I had to keep an eye everywhere in fear of being run over by vehicles leaving and the animals themselves. Just inside the entrance there was so much noise and confusion that many of the animals were frightened and were rearing up and kicking out. I can imagine this to be normal for the people attending this market. Once I was more inside, it became a little settled but there were so many people and animals that there was hardly any space to walk around. Men with their animals for sale were doing their business and there was some serious money to be seen. I looked out for camels, goats and sheep but there were none, I only saw one horse. The small baby cows, buffaloes and donkeys were a delight. I was surprised with seeing one adult cow jump up onto a truck un-assisted; It must have done this on many occasions and knew the drill.
Inside the market compound there were many traders selling ropes, chains, tools and iron equipment for keeping animals tethered to the ground and so on. There were also several places where you could take a tea and just watch the mayhem around you.
It was a great experience to attend an animal market but was sad not to see any camels, my favorite animal here in Egypt; not to ride but just to look at.
29c
Al Hibil Animal Market - Luxor
I decided to visit an animal market in the hope of seeing many varieties of four legged animals; alas there were only cows, buffaloes and donkeys and one horse; Sadly, no camels, goats or sheep.
I set off at 7-am to get there early enough to capture the atmosphere. Oooo, it was cold and only 16c, I wore a jacket and scarf on the motorbike.
This market is the El Hibil Animal Market and is in a village near to the airport. On arrival I could see that there was chaos leading to the entrance. People were trying to park there vehicles and people were trying to exit the enclosed market area. Just inside the entrance was bedlam, it was a dangerous place to be and I had to keep an eye everywhere in fear of being run over by vehicles leaving and the animals themselves. Just inside the entrance there was so much noise and confusion that many of the animals were frightened and were rearing up and kicking out. I can imagine this to be normal for the people attending this market. Once I was more inside, it became a little settled but there were so many people and animals that there was hardly any space to walk around. Men with their animals for sale were doing their business and there was some serious money to be seen. I looked out for camels, goats and sheep but there were none, I only saw one horse. The small baby cows, buffaloes and donkeys were a delight. I was surprised with seeing one adult cow jump up onto a truck un-assisted; It must have done this on many occasions and knew the drill.
Inside the market compound there were many traders selling ropes, chains, tools and iron equipment for keeping animals tethered to the ground and so on. There were also several places where you could take a tea and just watch the mayhem around you.
It was a great experience to attend an animal market but was sad not to see any camels, my favorite animal here in Egypt; not to ride but just to look at.
My teeth are as good as the donkeys.
Not an exhibit of the market but watching me enjoy a coffee by the Corniche in Luxor.
