Colonnaded Street - Jerash, Jordon

Another Roman ruin… Jerash is primarily known for its colonnaded main street which stretches for 800m. The street is paved with the original stones, in which there are visible ruts worn by chariots that still exist. What’s interesting about the ruins is how each of them has the basic features of a city today… theaters (entertainment), sport area (hippodrome), main street, and temples/churches. While civilization has changed the basis still existed 2000 years ago.

Northern Jordon – Country Side

I’m currently reading the book “Guns, Germs, and Steel” by Jared Diamond. And a major part of the book focuses on the “Fertile Crest”, a region of the world that played a significant role in man’s domesticating plants and animals. Northern Jordon is located in the southwestern portion of the “Fertile Crescent”. It’s kind of cool (at least to me) to be reading about the development of civilizations and seeing regions of the worlds where it took place. The agriculture in Northern Jordon is still quite prominent, mostly wheat and olives. In addition to a place to read, the back of the truck is also great place to watch the scenery pass.

Hiking – Petra, Jordon

Yumi, Roberto and I decide go for an afternoon hike to check out Arron’s Tomb (of biblical reference) which was approximately 5k north of Petra. The views from Arron’s Tomb were supposed to be stunning, so we were told. After hiking for about 3 hours, gabbing away about religion (Yumi teaches Catholicism in high school), we realized we were lost. We didn’t take a map, because there was one available. Plus the park ranger said we wouldn’t need one, because the tomb was very easy to find. Giving up on the search for tomb, we spent the next hour trying to find our way back to the original trail that lead back to Petra. Eventually we found it, but not without “visions” of darkness setting on and a search party ensuing. While we never saw the stunning views from the summit, the scenery we did see, while lost, was quite amazing (pictured). Giving that we made it back safely, I have to say the overall hiking experience was a nice break for the city crowds. Not often do we get to hike in the foothills of Jordon.

Tombs – Petra, Jordon

We spent two days at Petra, the rose-stone city built in the 3rd century B.C.E. by the Nabataens who carved palaces, temples, tombs, storerooms, and stables from the rocky cliffs. Unlike most cities built on hillsides, Petra was built in a valley and the entrance was through a “siq”, which looks like a gorge, but it’s created by tectonic forces, not water.

Close-up of the Tombs – Petra, Jordon

The sunset heightened the already spectacular colors of the iron-laden, rose-stone city.

Entrance – Petra, Jordon

Looking down the “siq” (entrance) to Petra.

Entrance – Petra, Jordon

As one reaches the city, via the “siq”, the façade of Al-Kanzna Tomb appears. It’s quite spectacular. I can only image the impression it made on the visitors to the city back-in-the-day when it was built.

Al-Kanzna – Petra, Jordon

See next picture for the details. You might recall this façade from one of the Indiana Jones movies.

Al-Kanzna Sign – Petra, Jordon

Kids – Petra, Jordon

Just two, random, cute kids riding a donkey in Petra

Wadi Rum, Jordon

Wadi Rum offered some extraordinary desert scenery. It was a definite highlight of Jordon. Pictured is us getting ready, loading the jeeps, for an overnight trip in the desert. The desert’s moods, dictated by the changing angle of the sun, made for a memorable experience.

Wadi Rum, Jordon

We spent the night in a Bedouin campsite.

Wadi Rum, Jordon

Myself watching the sunset

Wadi Rum, Jordon

Frank enjoyed Wadi Rum from the back of the jeep.

Wadi Rum, Jordon

Jo, James, and Yumi (l to r) watching the sunset.