When I vsited Petra in Jordan, I was offered the chance to ride on a camel. And, like most of the tourists, I declined the offer.

My reluctance to ride on animals like camels goes back to my early youth. I found this photo, of a visit with the family to the zoo, Artis in Amsterdam. I am that little boy, looking very frightened of that beast, clearly refusing to join my nephew Jos and my sister on the back of the animal.