I was minding my own business — probably pretending to tackle my marking pile — when a message from the principal popped up on Teams: “Who would like to go on a little trip with falcons?”

Now, let’s be honest: a “little trip” of any kind beats marking every day of the week, including the ones that don’t officially count. So I volunteered for what became an unexpectedly magical Tuesday evening adventure.

Today’s adventure took us into the Abu Dhabi desert for a bit of falconry — or rather, for the privilege of watching people who truly understand this remarkable tradition. Two of the Matric gents (Grade 12 students who somehow balance schoolwork with caring for these incredible birds) invited us to experience their falcons firsthand. When learners offer an opportunity like this, you don’t hesitate.

After school, we travelled in private cars to a meeting point about 45 minutes outside the city. From there, we continued deeper into the quiet desert sands in their 4L 4×4 — the only sensible way to navigate terrain that has very firm opinions about who may pass. The moment became even more surreal when I realised one of the falcons was perched calmly on the handbrake compartment between me and the driver, entirely unbothered by our presence. When we finally stopped, I stepped out barefoot onto the warm sand, already knowing this was going to be a remarkable evening.

We were then introduced to their two prized falcons. The gentlemen demonstrated how they train them using pigeons, chickens, and doves — a process rooted in long-established falconry practices in the region. Their confidence and care in handling the birds were impressive to watch.

The timing of our arrival was perfect. As we reached their training area, the sun began its slow descent over the desert. The hosts had prepared a welcoming seating area in a traditional style, complete with locally inspired dishes. It created a warm, authentic atmosphere that made the experience feel both generous and deeply thoughtful.

The falcons themselves were composed and comfortable. With their hoods on, they allowed us to hold them, gently stroke their feathers, and take photographs — all under the guidance of their young handlers. The entire outing had been arranged on just a day’s notice, yet everything felt meticulously prepared.

As the evening settled in, they showed us the GPS tags attached near each falcon’s tail feathers. Once night fell, the small blinking light became visible in the distance — their way of keeping track of a bird that might pursue its target far across the sands.

Overall, it was a beautiful and memorable experience — a glimpse into a cherished tradition, shared with warmth and pride, and a reminder that the young people here often have hobbies and skills far richer than we imagine.

Now, you all know the pattern by now: if I’m posting, it’s usually the tail end of a weekend when I finally come up for air. However — this time things are a little different. On Friday I’m off to Dubai for a four-night stay, all booked and ready, to catch the Dubai 7s rugby (plus a whole parade of other sports that promise an atmosphere strong enough to power the city).

Since we have a long weekend, I’ll squeeze in some proper Dubai exploring before heading back to the accommodation in time for the next school day.

So yes… brace yourselves. An über-post is coming.