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!