I arrive in Jordan during Winter-time, January. Its cold, and a-bit rainy. At the final days of my visit, it even snowed. I was cold!! But, no matter – the weather cooperated and I explored this amazing, historic Nation for a week. I packed in a ton of sites in a tiny fast paced week. Hopping from hotel to hotel. Too fast really. But I am just getting started on a my 2022 adventure, so I limited my time here in Jordan. Leave something for the next visit !!!
Amman itself was surprisingly modern. 1000x cleaner and organized then Egypt. Somehow, I had expected Jordan to be more like Egypt. It’s not. With a 93% literacy rate, its more progressive and modern than expected.
I visited the King Abdullah Mosque (the blue mosque), and the Amman Museum. Both where interesting and educational. I always enjoy the quiet of a Mosque (or Church) – everyone should spend a few minutes there, definitely good for the soul. And the Amman Museum had a few unique ancient artifacts. The oldest know human statues can be found – 9000 years old. Holy Crap !!! amazing to think about. Excavated from Northern Jordan. Another unique treasure was a few fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Pushing on from Amman – I travel to the Dead Sea. I only had a few hours there, putting my feet and hands in. I didn’t realize that the Dead Sea was low salt, but very-high mineral concentrations. The lowest point on earth – 400m. Death Valley, California is only 85m below sea level!! The weather wasn’t favorable for swimming – I’ll do that on my next visit here !!! The amazing part is the views across ‘the Sea’. Epic, historic. Views of the West Bank – Israel now. Called Palestine by the locals Jordanians (and most of the Middle East). My phone ding’s, a text – ‘Welcome to Israel’ - my phone thinks I’m in Israel.
Near-by, overlooking the Dead Sea and the Jordan river - is Mt. Nebo – of biblical fame. Moses was shown the promised land here, and died here. The breathtaking views of the historic holy land will never be forgotten!! Several historical Church’s where build and destroyed here – with a modern version renovated for tourists. Views of the Jordan River, and Jericho were inspirational.
After my short visit to the Dead Sea area, we drove the length of this water-way. (By we, I mean my Bedouin driver. Lane lines are optional here I guess.) The colors of the Dead Sea set against the mountains are fantastic. Arriving in a small town just outside Petra, to spend the night.
The morning, I’m picked-up by a Petra tour guide. He educates me on this ancient UNESCO site. Of the 30k Nabateans, and of the Romans that followed. Just overwhelming. I made it here !! Another ancient wonder of the world. A honor to tour this site. I climb aboard a Mule during my 7-hours inside Petra. Definitely worth the cost. Avoiding most of the hard climbing, covering huge distances in this ‘petrified’ city. … Wonder if that’s where the word petrified came from ?
On the move. Too fast. We push on to Wadi Rum. A Bedouin tent camp and jeep rides await me. A true wild adventure. Riding in the most beat-up jeep imaginable. It didn’t have a key – my driver hot-wired it from every start. The desert was absolutely quiet. Like a Martian landscape. Tons of movies shot here – including Laurance of Arabia. I met some wonder friends here. Slovenia, Taiwan, Germany. Like most places… I’m the only American. And lately, the only tourist. We all talk of Corona, and how messed-up our countries are. The same stories are everywhere.
From Wadi, I return to Amman for a few days. I’ve booked a high-end hotel – InterContinental. And wow, I needed the breather. Good choice.
I squeeze in a day trip to Jerash in the North of Jordan, heading towards Damascus, Syria. This ancient Greco-Roman ruin is the largest outside Italy. Pompeii of the east. I’m always drawn to these ruins. History is everywhere you look. My day adds the Arjun Castle because it is very-close by. Built in the 1100’s by the Muslim rulers at-the-time, this is a true mid-evil castle.
The culture of Jordan, Jordanians mixed with Bedouins, mixed with refuges from all-over the Middle East - Adding to my understanding of this crossroads of civilization. My interactions with the Bedouin culture was a lesson in itself. Separate from Jordanians, or Arabian, or any other Middle East countries. Bedouins seem more of a gypsy existence and life-styles. They are the hawkers you cross-paths with at every archeological site, at every bazar. Pushing you to buy, buy, buy my souvenirs. Just trying to survive. Normal life here. Made 100x harder without tourists.
I finished my stay here making new Jordanian friends. Talking crazy American politics and Corona insanity over Arak and expresso. For a small country, its overflowing with history and vibrance. Jordan should be on your bucket-list !!
Comments