9/27 - 9/29 jordan

Not initially on our list, we added this one since it is home to one of the wonders of the world—Petra (i.e. where Indian Jones finds the holy grail in Last Crusade). We’re sure it is one of the most spectacular sites in the world. It is a city that once was inhabited by 50,000 Nabateans (some of the first Arab nomads) and then by Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans because of its strategic location and almost unassailable position. Set against the barren Negev desert in southern Jordan, huge sandstone mountains that have been weathered by water and wind tower overhead. The entrance to the city is through a narrow canyon (think of Zion National Park) that suddenly opens up to the famous Treasury—a towering structure carved directly out of the mountains. All of the buildings in the city are carved out of the rock and leave you in awe wondering what they were used for and what it would have been like to live in this place.

We walked the length of the city and climbed up to the farthest point in the city to reach the Monastery (a serious 1.5 hrs hike from city center), which is similar to the Treasury but larger and less ornate. From this peak, you can look west over the Negev to Israel—pretty desolate but inspiring. Words like prehistoric and primordial come to mind. Just an amazing site and one that will not be forgotten.

And though Petra was the undisputed highlight, we also found Amman interesting, as was the bleak landscape between Amman and Petra (3 hours of it, each way), dotted with Bedouin tents with their pickups and camels, power lines, and sand. During the long road trips, we had great conversations with our driver, Kamal, who told us all about his perspective on Jordan, the Middle East, religion, Iraq, etc. Just one of the many great Kemal quotes: “Yanni, to be honest with you, in west Amman the womens are running around, like, (pause) nake!” What a great time in Jordan.

The beginning of the Petra park (you can rent horses for this part)
Clint marveling at it all: "It's like Zion or Arches (Nat'l Park) but with an ancient, mystery civilization!"
Ah, pretty stone
The first view of the Treasury (Clint flipped)

The Treasury (though we think it was probably a temple of sorts)
Houses, houses, houses
Part of the walk up to the Monastery (see how ginormous it is?)
The Monastery (see Clint at the bottom? that little speck...)
Looking from Jordan to Israel

Bedouin kids on donkeys would come by, asking "lady, taxi?"
Temples, monuments, burial chambers, houses, everywhere
Clint (tiny) at the entrance of the Treasury
The drive home - sand, sand, and more sand
Sunset over Amman