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Jordan trip

My trip to Jordan began in Amman the capital city where I was met be some friends. I stayed with them for two nights and on the first day, we took a day-trip to Petra an ancient Nabatean city in western Jordan. After this trip I returned to Petra for two more days. I spent these two days with a family who I met in Dubai while working at Dubai Women’s College. Traveling on from Petra, I went further south to Wadi Rum for two days and two nights to live with the local Bedouin who run tours there. My last two days included a short day-trip out from Amman to see the Jordan Valley and some of the significant locations mentioned in the Bible.
Bedouin man resting in sun at Petra.
Bedouin man resting in sun at Petra.		 Making our lunch for a day-trip to Petra
Making our lunch for a day-trip to Petra		 Typical town view -- this is Petra.
Typical town view -- this is Petra.		 The Siq is a mile long walk down from the gate through a narrow canyon to end at the Treasury.
The Siq is a mile long walk down from the gate through a narrow canyon to end at the Treasury.
This might look like a small canyon, but for perspective, can you see the stairs carved into the rock in the lower right?
This might look like a small canyon, but for perspective, can you see the stairs carved into the rock in the lower right?		 This place brought out the joy in everyone.
This place brought out the joy in everyone.		 A young man who drives one of the single horse drawn carriages like Ben-Hur!
A young man who drives one of the single horse drawn carriages like Ben-Hur!		 The group of 6 that I traveled with on this first trip to Petra.
The group of 6 that I traveled with on this first trip to Petra.
George K is almost bitten by a camel. He is quick... George, that is...
George K is almost bitten by a camel. He is quick... George, that is...		 George K and Demetrious
George K and Demetrious		 Posing infront of the Treasury (The Khazneh)
Posing infront of the Treasury (The Khazneh)		 The Treasury, classic Nabataean construction. This is Edomite territory.
The Treasury, classic Nabataean construction. This is Edomite territory.
Side view showing how this was carved (cut out) and not 'built'
Side view showing how this was carved (cut out) and not 'built'		 I was SO impressed with the Bedouin children who were selling things -- they could speak up to 6 languages!
I was SO impressed with the Bedouin children who were selling things -- they could speak up to 6 languages!		 They seemed born photogenic.
They seemed born photogenic.		 Thinking
Thinking
Gangstra pedlars
Gangstra pedlars		 A good example showing how much stone is removed.
A good example showing how much stone is removed.		 Note the pattern in the rock on the pillar as it passes into the rock above -- this is one piece carved in place!
Note the pattern in the rock on the pillar as it passes into the rock above -- this is one piece carved in place!		 It is hard to get a good idea of the sheer mass of these places.
It is hard to get a good idea of the sheer mass of these places.
George provides perspective
George provides perspective		 The inside of the building
The inside of the building		 Detail of the rock that they were cut from.
Detail of the rock that they were cut from.		 Amphitheatre -- note how much rock must have had to be removed for this place!
Amphitheatre -- note how much rock must have had to be removed for this place!
A closer view. They must have had sky-boxes back then too.
A closer view. They must have had sky-boxes back then too.		 Romans buildings from a later period were destroyed in two earthquakes.
Romans buildings from a later period were destroyed in two earthquakes.		 George liked camels even though they bite.
George liked camels even though they bite.		 Nice colors
Nice colors
Bedouin man
Bedouin man		 The next morning in Amman, was Friday of the Eid holiday when many celebrate by killing and a eating goat or a sheep.
The next morning in Amman, was Friday of the Eid holiday when many celebrate by killing and a eating goat or a sheep.		 A view from a little bit further back shows about 3 more waiting in a pen to the right.
A view from a little bit further back shows about 3 more waiting in a pen to the right.		 The following from Petra, are my second trip back to Petra where I climbed to the High Point of Sacrifice -- up these stairs.
The following from Petra, are my second trip back to Petra where I climbed to the High Point of Sacrifice -- up these stairs.
I met the Blincows (I worked with Audrey at Dubai Women's College in the UAE)
I met the Blincows (I worked with Audrey at Dubai Women's College in the UAE)		 This one really shows how they carved from solid rock.
This one really shows how they carved from solid rock.		 Blincows at rest on the path
Blincows at rest on the path		 Stairs down the backside of the High Point of Sacrifice.
Stairs down the backside of the High Point of Sacrifice.
This old lady is so old that she is featured in the guide books at the exact place where we found her -- she is an artifact!
This old lady is so old that she is featured in the guide books at the exact place where we found her -- she is an artifact!		 This temple was part of the water control system -- there was a pool fed from pipes and dykes and had flow control systems
This temple was part of the water control system -- there was a pool fed from pipes and dykes and had flow control systems		 'Laila' the donkey was all spruced up for the day.
'Laila' the donkey was all spruced up for the day.		 Children at work
Children at work
This place supports many Bedouin families.
This place supports many Bedouin families.		 A great way to take a photo of a family.
A great way to take a photo of a family.		 Evidence of the Romans being here -- the Great Temple.
Evidence of the Romans being here -- the Great Temple.		 Donkey parking lots.
Donkey parking lots.
You could hire a donkey to go up the long steep walk to the Great Temple -- some chose well.
You could hire a donkey to go up the long steep walk to the Great Temple -- some chose well.		 Children selling things on the way up to the Great Temple.
Children selling things on the way up to the Great Temple.		 Rides for hire everywhere.
Rides for hire everywhere.		 The Ad-Deir Monastery
The Ad-Deir Monastery
Audrey
Audrey		 Did the same thing at the Taj Mahal.
Did the same thing at the Taj Mahal.		 Nice effect at the Ad-Deir Monastery.
Nice effect at the Ad-Deir Monastery.		 Posing at the Top of the World
Posing at the Top of the World
It was a long walk up here but well worth the effort
It was a long walk up here but well worth the effort		 The Blincows
The Blincows		 Curio shop at the Top of the World
Curio shop at the Top of the World		 Goat
Goat
Audrey beside some carved lions at a temple
Audrey beside some carved lions at a temple		 Houses riddle the hillsides like an apartment complex
Houses riddle the hillsides like an apartment complex		 Everyone pitches in with the management of the tourist taxis
Everyone pitches in with the management of the tourist taxis		 This man was selling coins and trinkets
This man was selling coins and trinkets
I moved on to Wadi Rum -- you can see the village dwarfed by the rock behind it. We climed these for 2 days.
I moved on to Wadi Rum -- you can see the village dwarfed by the rock behind it. We climed these for 2 days.		 Our camp -- goat-hair tents where we slept
Our camp -- goat-hair tents where we slept		 No idea why the tent was inside the tent.
No idea why the tent was inside the tent.		 Our cooking fire inside the tent.
Our cooking fire inside the tent.
Our guide writes his name with sand so that we know what to yell if we get lost.
Our guide writes his name with sand so that we know what to yell if we get lost.		 Whew! The smoke was thick some times.
Whew! The smoke was thick some times.		 I was paired up with two other men -- I would be here for 2 days and nights, they for 5.
I was paired up with two other men -- I would be here for 2 days and nights, they for 5.		 The path twists and turns through canyons and valleys.
The path twists and turns through canyons and valleys.
The only water we came upon in two days of hiking these rock monstrosities.
The only water we came upon in two days of hiking these rock monstrosities.		 Neolithic rock drawings.
Neolithic rock drawings.		 Awesome?
Awesome?		 One of the bridges
One of the bridges
Gives perspective to this rather small hill.
Gives perspective to this rather small hill.		 For perspective, look for the tire tracks in the sand, and they are still a ways from the rocks.
For perspective, look for the tire tracks in the sand, and they are still a ways from the rocks.		 What 20 other words for HUGE? This place would be it.
What 20 other words for HUGE? This place would be it.		 Game board carved into rock. Neolithic?
Game board carved into rock. Neolithic?
Everywhere was a photo op.
Everywhere was a photo op.		 Paul and Adam look the part! Paul is an Archeologist on 6 month holiday, Adam a film producer traveling with Paul.
Paul and Adam look the part! Paul is an Archeologist on 6 month holiday, Adam a film producer traveling with Paul.		 They were making a tour of all the Middle East archeological sites.
They were making a tour of all the Middle East archeological sites.		 My first night was just before the full moon.
My first night was just before the full moon.
What a view!
What a view!		 Sunset brings out the silhouette of a naturally wind-formed horse head in the rock wall.
Sunset brings out the silhouette of a naturally wind-formed horse head in the rock wall.		 Just like a painting!
Just like a painting!		 Lunch after a walk in the morning
Lunch after a walk in the morning
Our cook and one of the guides
Our cook and one of the guides		 We travel as far south as we can and are overlooking Saudi Arabia from this point -- same old, same old for me...
We travel as far south as we can and are overlooking Saudi Arabia from this point -- same old, same old for me...		 The three of us traveled in the back on the Toyota -- it was cold!
The three of us traveled in the back on the Toyota -- it was cold!		 Big rocks, big land, lots of space makes a human a small thing.
Big rocks, big land, lots of space makes a human a small thing.
Second night was the full moon.
Second night was the full moon.		 Mt Nebo where Moses looked out upon the Promised Land before he died.
Mt Nebo where Moses looked out upon the Promised Land before he died.		 Slim pickings for a flock of sheep.
Slim pickings for a flock of sheep.		 The land surrounding Mt Nebo.
The land surrounding Mt Nebo.
Back to Amman again. Fields along the highway show that this land is more rock than soil.
Back to Amman again. Fields along the highway show that this land is more rock than soil.		 27 Km across the valley is Jericho the longest continuously inhabited city on Earth.
27 Km across the valley is Jericho the longest continuously inhabited city on Earth.		 Down in the valley beside the Jordan River is a long dried river channel where it is said people were baptized.
Down in the valley beside the Jordan River is a long dried river channel where it is said people were baptized.		 There will be 9 small churches built in this area over the next few years. We visited one of the finished ones.
There will be 9 small churches built in this area over the next few years. We visited one of the finished ones.
No explanation in Engish, this box was filled with human bones.
No explanation in Engish, this box was filled with human bones.		 We walk down to the River Jordan. We are warned to not wave or talk to the people on the Israel side. 8-/
We walk down to the River Jordan. We are warned to not wave or talk to the people on the Israel side. 8-/		 So, we just take pictures of eachother -- 20 feet apart.
So, we just take pictures of eachother -- 20 feet apart.		 Israeli solder
Israeli solder
And the guy on our side.
And the guy on our side.		 I touched the water the same as this lady.
I touched the water the same as this lady.		 What the river and river bank looks like.
What the river and river bank looks like.		 People purchased baptism cloths in the shops at the site and dipped each other.
People purchased baptism cloths in the shops at the site and dipped each other.
Old lady baptizes herself.
Old lady baptizes herself.		 Jericho over on the Israeli side of the river.
Jericho over on the Israeli side of the river.		 We were warned that this was a high-security area. 3 times, there were huge explosions -- mines being destroyed...
We were warned that this was a high-security area. 3 times, there were huge explosions -- mines being destroyed...		 Off to the Dead Sea for a dip -- 390 meters below sea level, and no scuba gear!
Off to the Dead Sea for a dip -- 390 meters below sea level, and no scuba gear!
The traditional float
The traditional float		 It was a real struggle to get my feet under me! I was in 8-10 feet of water.
It was a real struggle to get my feet under me! I was in 8-10 feet of water.		 Floating like a cork with my feet directly below me.
Floating like a cork with my feet directly below me.		 Salt deposits forming under water.
Salt deposits forming under water.
CLEAR water and salt.
CLEAR water and salt.		 Some people did this.
Some people did this.		 A view of where we swam for a short time.
A view of where we swam for a short time.

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Karen McElwee 15-Dec-2009 13:26
Mark, you really captured Petra. All those memories fresh in my mind. Terry and I bought coins from that older guy. He was so sweet. Told me they were authentic....maybe, maybe not. We loved everything about Jordan.
Cecile 13-Dec-2009 23:56
Mark, I really enjoyed the pictures and your blog! Janine sent this to me! Awesome country over there! Hope you have good days!
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