Petra - Round 4

This was officially my 4th time in Jordan and my 3rd time at Petra.

I remember leaving Jordan after my field school in 2008 and thinking that I would probably never see this beautiful place again.

False.

Thank you Heavenly Father.

Coming to Petra felt like coming home.  

I loved every minute of it.

I also got to go up to the Monastery for the 2nd time.

Yep, it is still humongous.  

This picture with me next to it is not really accurate, I am very far forward and Holly was close to the ground when she took it.  

In reality, the bottom of the door entrance would be higher than my shoulders.

Bruce took a donkey up and gave us a parting solute before our hike of around 769 steps.

I think it was 769...

I might have missed a few when I was trying to breathe.

;)

Yesterday Holly, Cyndy and I went on a road trip to Dana with Sheikh Ali and Abd S. (it is S. because I can't spell his name)

Abd S. knows every plant in the desert it seems.  

This bush is used to make a tasty tea apparently

It sure smelled amazing.

I have some of that bush in that fist of mine there.

It was a really windy and hazy day but the temperature was really nice.

This is Sheikh Ali posing nobly with Abd S. walking off in the background.

You wouldn't think it to look at this picture, but this is one of the funniest people I've ever met.

I was laughing the entire time I was around him.

Ali tied my kaffia around my head and since Holly didn't have a kaffia he stole Abd S.'s and wrapped it on Holly.

He initially stole Holly's scarf but he said that he couldn't wear it in the picture because he was to manly.

:)

Here he is trying to give it back to Holly.

Here is our little group.

Isn't Abd S. hardcore with his cane and dagger?

He hit me in the bum several times with that cane.

Old men...the same everywhere.

;)

Later we had dinner at Abd S.'s house.  

His son brought their camel back from Petra and it was chomping down on the olive tree.

His daughter Fatima gave me my first handwoven Bedouin rug.

Finally, in my last night in Petra there was a gecko on my ceiling.

I will not lie to you, I just about wet my pants.

Although that changed when I found out 2 things:

First, they are harmless....thank goodness.

Second, they are apparently a sign of good luck...sweet!

Also they eat bugs...I think that is good luck.

I named him Gus, 

and waved goodbye to him as I left my room this morning for Amman.

We are leaving for the airport at 3am...yikes...and will be in Istanbul tomorrow!

I'll try to update, we'll see how it goes.

Ma salama!

Off to Petra

For our last full day in Amman we did a few new things.

1.  We went to Madaba.

If you don't know, Madaba is also known as the city of the mosaics.

It was all so beautiful and I absolutely loved it.

This is the ancient Roman road that is still extant in this little place.

It was my first time in Madaba.

2. We saw the Dead Sea

This was my first time seeing the Dead Sea.

It is a long and dramatic story about how we 'accidentally' saw it and I won't tell it here.

If you desperately want to know wait till I come back and ask me about it.

It is worth the ask.

;)

3. I went to McDonald's for the first time in a foreign country - in this case Jordan.

If you know me you know it is a big deal for me to go to McDonald's at all - I dislike it greatly.

Tonight was fun though.

Good company, familiar food, and even 'All the Single Ladies' by Beyonce was on the overhead speaker.

Good times and my tummy is only a little upset.

;)

Tomorrow we are off to Petra!!!

Pics will come...eventually.

Night!

Northern Jordan

This morning we left Amman to head into northern Jordan to see some sites.

It was a beautiful day to do so.

Here are photos because after 12 hours, I am to pooped to type. ;)

Enjoy!

The view from Qal'at Al-Rabad

Hanging out with the catapult balls.

This next section is Pella.

You may not notice that this sign says: Attention: Deep Holes, but I sure did. 

Bruce working it Vogue style.

The pillars at Pella.

Me kicking over the pillars at Pella.

And finally Jerash.

Only 1 picture here folks.

Have a good day!

I know I sure did!

Home away from home

After hours and hours and hours of a flying across the world in a Dramamine induced haze, I am back in my home away from home in the beautiful country of Jordan.

I thought I would take advantage of the wonderful access to the internet here at ACOR while I try to focus on reading archaeological theory because really, theory makes my jet lag seem so much worse. ;)

Yesterday we went to a site, Um Qais, that is right on the border of Jordan...and Israel...and Syria...and across the way from the Golan heights...and the Sea of Galilee.

The picture is pretty hazy but the hill leading off the picture to the right is the Golan Heights, the blue in the bottom center is the Sea of Galilee, the area in front and across is Israel, and Syria is behind and to the right.

So both an important and absolutely beautiful location.

The theater here is really going to help my thesis and I was glad to be able to go there.

I've gotten a lot done so far, visited a theater, done some research, started reading theory...and still have 6 more weeks of madness ahead.  

Something that I am grateful for, but maybe not super excited about.

If you are wondering how that is possible, imagine driving across 3 countries over 6 weeks...the excitement wanes a bit. 

;)

Good times and more to come!

♥ ♥ ♥