Petra

Today was all about Petra.  Petra was built by an ancient Arab tribe called the Nabateans.  The Nabateans were conquerors of the Arab world, but were, of course, subjected to Roman domination and influence.  This is the Biblical land of Edom, and back in these rose-red rock hills, they have carved edifices out of the stone.  It’s amazing.  Part of the region encompasses the tomb of Aaron, on Mount Hor.  It’s referenced in Num. 20:22.  Also, according to Samer our Guide, Sela in the book of Isaiah means Gorge, and that’s Petra.  
 

We hiked down to what had been called the Treasury.  It didn’t serve as a treasury; it was only called that when in the 18^th century it was discovered and people tried to loot it.  I got my obligatory camel ride pictures.  After that, we walked down to the Museum.  It was a couple of kilometers in, then maybe 500 or 700 meters to the museum.  It was all on a gradual incline, and while it was challenging for me because I don’t do nearly enough cardio, it wasn’t as difficult as it was two years ago.

 

I had intended to hike in and ride a carriage out, but two things happened.  1) we stopped for tea at some Bedouin joint.  It was delicious, but afterwards, I began a love affair with the WCs, which is not a good thing here in the Middle East (I usually decide “I don’t have to go that bad,)” but this time was different.  I walked down to the restaurant in front of the museum.  I was talking with the Bedouin guy and began to feel light-headed.  I was also quite hot, and took off the sweater that was tied around my waist.   I got a mango juice, which put some sugar in me, but I still didn’t feel quite right.  And then there, in the middle of the hot Jordanian sun, I got the chills. The sun was beating down on me, and I was freezing!  After a few minutes, I started to get hot, and the cycle repeated itself in about 15 minute intervals.  I started to have visions of myself slung across a camel and being evacuated out of there. I was thinking about riding a camel out, but didn’t feel like it, which is pretty significant for me.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a busy day for the restaurant, so I sat there til I felt better, about an hour.  I then started to walk out (of Petra).  I got back to the treasury, which is where the carriage rides are, only to find that 2) they were all being used by people who’d booked them for round trips, both in and out.  I tried to strike a side deal with a guy, but he wanted $50.00 (remember, this is about a mile), so I waved him off.  Others were equally extortionist; I was with some woman who sounded Italian who wanted to split the ride with me.  At that time, we only had ½ to ¼ mile to go, and the guy wanted $40.00.  So we walked.

As we got to the horse run, I did take a horse.  It was supposed to have been free, but of course the guy wanted 3 JD (about $5.00).  Then he wanted a tip.  I tried to give him a couple of dollars, but he actually asked for more.  Remembering the kindness of the Bedouins who had let me sit in their shop for an hour, I gave him more.  I got him to take my picture on the horse (so I FINALLY have a horsie picture, and now have pics of me riding a camel and a horse in Petra), and I took pics of him.  It’s all good. Jordan, and Petra in particular,  derives much of its income from tourism.  I wrote in 2009 about how commercialized it was.  I didn’t buy anything today.  I was talking with the Bedouins in the restaurant about it, because they thought that people should spend money when they travel. I told him that sometimes people have to save up to travel, and the economy is just as hard for us as it is for them.  I don’t think he believed me.  Everyone thinks Americans are rich.  And by comparison, that sometimes seems true….

So we came back to the hotel early. I lay down for a while, then went downstairs to get my free Turkish bath. It was WONDERFUL!!!  First you get into a steam room.  The interesting thing about this steam room was there was plenty of steam, but it just didn’t seem that hot.  Given my earlier incident, I didn’t push it, but I stayed in for 15 minutes or so.  Then the guy comes and gets you and you go into a room and lay on a marble table.  The woman pours warm water on the table to warm it up, you undress, and get on.  She rinses you off, front and back, a few times.  Then she takes something not as course as a loofah and scrubs your body all over.  (I guess that was exfoliation)  After that she washes you with something, and then massages you all over.  At the end, you kneel by the sink and she rinses your hair and face.  It was Divine!

So now I’m in my room uploading pics and waiting for dinner.  The food here (at the Amra Palace Hotel in Petra, Jordan) has been outstanding.  Can’t wait for dinner and to pack up and make an early night of it.  Tomorrow we head to Amman, via Wadi Musa (we go see the rock where Moses stood), Mt. Nebo, and Jerash. Not sure I’m up for a hike through Jerash, though there’s a great restaurant there.

And then we head back to the States.  We may do something else; I’m not sure.  It’s been a great trip, I’m excited that the first female Bishop of the CME Church is staying at the Mount David Hotel where we stayed, and I’m looking forward to working with her to FINALLY make a CME (or at least CME-sponsored) Pilgrimage a reality.

Going to dinner now.