Okay cue the Indian Jones theme music! I have always enjoyed visiting UNESCO World Heritage sites so it should not be a surprise that I took this opportunity during Christmas vacation 2014  to visit Petra in Jordan, in the heart of the Middle East. I will also admit to the world that Petra’s connection to the Raiders of the Lost Arc was also a factor. Making a last minute choice I didn’t have time to research as much as I like to, so each day was like opening Christmas gifts, I never knew what was coming.

The driver from the airport offered to take me to Petra and show me around the city. Trusting my instincts I said yes. I was right and Sahib turned out to be a very nice family man trying to make a few dollars.  Due to the situation in Syria tourism was down; this was before the situation escalated. I was a welcomed guest. A really nice man I met told me to make sure to tell everyone how safe Jordan was and everyone was welcomed to come. That made me sad. The people I met in Jordan were reserved but friendly and  liked to practice their English.

The Treasury Building

Standing in front of the most famous building in the massive ancient city of Petra, the Treasury building, was thrilling. It was a lost city for hundreds of years. Then Harrison Ford discovered it. Okay I was just checking to see if you were paying attention. The city was actually carved into the pinkish sandstone similar to the rock hewn churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia. It was actually rediscovered by a European traveler. According to the National Geographic the Treasury building is just a facade that opens into a small hall, formerly a royal tomb. In the Raiders movie Harrison Ford and Sean Connery race through the Treasury building to find the Holy Grail. That’s Hollywood’s creative license at play!

The Petra complex is huge. So huge I took a ride on a horse and a donkey to see as much as possible and that was a lot. According to National Geographic 85 percent of the city remains hidden underground.

The Entrance

I took a horse ride to get to the entrance. Then there was only so far he could take me and I had to walk the rest of the way as you see below. It was a long walk to finally make it to the Treasury building. I took pictures of the people ahead of me to give an idea of the massive nature of the place. It was cool but a bit eerie walking it alone so I tried to keep up with the group in front of me.

The City of Petra

This is only a small representation of Petra. There was so much to see. I was tired and my driver was waiting for me. I realized I had to get out the same way I came in. Ugh!  When I arrived at the entrance and saw Shadi, with the car door open I wanted to shout for joy. I crashed on the back seat and woke up as we pulled into the hotel. Oh my!

Animals in Petra

On my way out that I stopped to read the signs that warned against riding the donkeys and horses in this ancient city of Petra. The warnings are mostly due to the ill treatment of the animals. I was so sad to read this after the fact. There is a small museum like display around the entrance. In my enthusiasm to get to the Treasury building I skipped it thinking I would stop on the way out. By then it was too late. If you want to read my take on animal tourism you can click here.

The River Jordan

The pictures below exhibit two significant sites in Judaism and Christianity in Bethany. The first picture is said to be the place where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. The water behind me in the second picture is the River Jordan, which is the river the Israelites crossed to get into the Promised Land. What was so cool is the people across the river were standing in Jerusalem. That close and I still did not make it to Jerusalem. Next time for sure!

Jordan: The city

Mount Nebo

Mt. Nebo is where Moses was showed the Promised Land.

Churches

This is one of the churches built near and around the site where Jesus was baptized. I can’t remember the name of the church.

Odds and Ends

Shadi also took me for a tour of Amman, the capital city of Jordan. We went to the Citadel toured the Jordan Archaeological museum and then toured the city. I tried to make it to the Roman Amphitheater but they were closed. We went to St. Georges Mosaic Map Church in Madaba; went to Mount Nebo where there is a memorial to Moses. Eating: Mansaf-saffron rice with lamb and a yogurt sauce called Jameed. This is the national dish of Jordan. Knafeh is a “to die for”dessert made with cheese. I can’t believe I did not take a picture of it.  Google it. Shout out to Shadi: Shadi  phone:0795258479, call him if you ever find yourself in Jordan.

Toastmasters in Amman, Jordan

What a fun group. I was surprised to be in the heart of the Middle East, walk into a Toastmasters Club and find Santa Claus. Had a blast with this group.