May 20 - Eilat to Petra, Jordan

Tuesday
We joined a tour to Petra, Jordan today. Petra is a civilization that existed before and during the Greek and Roman Empires. It lay along the caravan route and taxes on the caravans contributed to its wealth. In an area somewhat like Arches in Utah, though not so red, the Nabataeans carved massive temples, homes, religious centers, and the only amphitheater in the world carved out of the solid rock mountain.



There were even some characters dressed as they believe the Nabataeans looked at the time of their habitation here.



This was perhaps the toughest day of our trip except when I was sick. Petra is very hot, especially in the sun. We walked and walked and walked, always downhill. The further we went, the more interesting the carvings and nature became, but in the back of our minds, we knew we'd have to walk back uphill, with much of the walk, especially the long end, in full hot sun. Oh, we could have ridden a horse or camel or bounced along the rocky "road" in a carriage, but none of these seemed like a good solution, especially after some in our group were cheated by the ride "salesmen."
We had to be patient at the Jordan/Israel border crossing as it seemed to take forever. We met a former SPED teacher from Florida and enjoyed visiting with her. A young Chinese couple from Hong Kong and now Toronto were also very interesting. Our guide was very proud of the four lane highway we traveled along. He said Iraq had helped build the road which connects Iraq to the Red Sea at Aqaba, Jordan. Minerals (copper, phospate, sulfur, etc.) make many vertical and horizontal streaks of various colors in the Jordanian Mountains. Our guide pointed out that the Bedouins are not a people group but a way of life. The military provides schools and teachers in these areas. Jordanians can have multiple wives if the first wife agrees.
We came to Wadi Mousa (population 18,000) where are guide lives. We began our long trek down the "canyon."



The religions of the Nabataeans is central to the many tombs and statues in niches like we saw at Dan, Israel. They believed in reincarnation, so much of their worship was related to freeing the spirit to return. A gorgeous and extensive temple and many homes are carved out.



The rocks contain a variety of different colors. The size and grandeur of the main temple are breathtaking.



Only a few inscriptions exist to help identify dates and activities. Only a portion of the area has been excavated.
After a rest, we started the long trek out. Much of the way was shaded and not hard at all, but when we had to walk in the sun and uphill, it was tough. We were glad to finally complete the hot last part and "collapse" in the cool bus. On the way out through Wadi Mousa, the bus stopped at our guide's home and his wife brought his little daughter out to the street. He proudly brought her on the bus to greet us.
We had a great meal at a Jordanian restaurant. We saw a lot of camels and shepherds herding goats on the drive back to Aqaba. We had to get off the bus while the driver got a tire repaired. When we got back, the tour paid for a taxi for us back to Club In. It must be the farthest hotel from the center of town. We took a shower and washed up our shoes, glad to be clean and home again!