Donkey Day

To carry his load without resting, not to be bothered by heat or cold and always be content: these three things we can learn from a donkey.

Indian Proverb

A friend challenged me to find a lovely, plump donkey. I've had a weakness for donkeys since I was a kid so all donkeys fit her first criteria, as far as I'm concerned. "Plump" is another story. Only pregnant Egyptian donkeys seem to be full-figured. Most are lean and sinewy, much like the farmers who ride them. Some are emaciated and several have wounds or callouses on their hunches from rope abrasion. Organizations such as Animal Care Egypt and Brooke Hospital for Animals work to improve the care of these lovely beasts of burden.

Here are a few spotted today as we made a road trip to visit the famous woodworkers of Hagaza. This fellow stood proud in the back of a Chevrolet pickup truck, along with his cart and his handler who was sitting on the truck's bed.

There seemed to be a lot of activity going on in the sugarcane and wheat fields. Donkeys remain an important member of the agricultural team.

Some were lucky: they had the day off and stayed at home.

The final photo comes as we near our house at the end of our road trip. Both we and the donkey were homeward bound.