…..then come with me to the market in Qarana, on the West Bank where we bought all those organic fruits and vegetables a few weeks ago. Yes, that’s were livestock is sold too.

There were hundreds and hundreds of animals at the far side of the market, donkeys. goats, lambs and way back a few camels. And seeing the heavily bearded man, their  heads wrapped, wearing long, dark robes, (dishdasha) standing among them I felt like this were biblical times.

But no, this is 2015. Regardless, not much has changed and business is conducted as before with a lot of haggling and shouting. The perspective buyer inspects the animal and by finding fault is trying to bargain down the price. And rightly  so – many of these poor creatures looked dirty and grubby.

There were men were sitting next to a goat, or donkey having a heated conversation. Not understanding what they were saying, I assumed  that the heat of the rising sun had something to do with them sitting down.  Not all. I was told that when two men are sitting down, they are near closing the deal.

And why do the locals buy live animals? Donkeys and camels for transportation of goods and/or humans.

A goat for their milk, and eventually a meal. A lamb for the wool and definitely a meal!

More from Egypt soon

       Brigitte