Thursday after class, Ryan (from my Qasid class) rented a car to drive to southern Jordan. The plan was for Ryan, Leah, Shadea and myself to drive to Wadi Musa (Eng: Valley of Moses) to meet Betsy and her visiting friend in time for the Petra by Night tour. After picking up the rental car, we endeavored to make our way out of Amman. However, the task is not as easy as it sounds. The system of circles, underpasses and overpasses are difficult to learn as a daily taxi passenger rather than a regular driver. Instead of 15 minutes, we used all of about 50 minutes to find our way out of the city. Aside from this, however, the drive down was uneventful. Thankfully. The roads outside of Amman are notoriously dangerous.
Wadi Musa, the town associated with Petra, is very different from Amman. First, the city is much smaller. Second, the place is saturated with tourists and the accompanying hostels, restaurants and gift shops catering to the visitors. Unfortunately, the population of Wadi Musa has yet to be accustomed to the presence of foreigners. The taxi drivers have no qualms about cheating visitors. Young men unabashedly call out to passing young women (such as those in my group). Finally, the weather is notably warmer in Wadi Musa- just a few hours drive south of Amman.
We pulled into Wadi Musi in plenty of time to check into our hostel (Petra Gate Hotel). Betsy and her college friend were waiting for us. We quickly put our things in our room and made our way to the entrance of Petra where there were some restaurants. We ate a quick dinner (in my case, lentil soup and hummus) and headed for Petra's main entrance. The Petra by Night tour leads participants down the long, winding, votive-lit siq in silence. The walk takes about 30 minutes and the silence is enforced. Perhaps the most spectacular part of the walk is the impressive view of the stars. I have never been able to see the stars as clearly as that night.
The walk concluded in front of the Treasury. The Treasury is Petra's most ornate and most recognized facade. Most associate it, rightfully, with Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. For the tour, a couple hundred of luminaries had been placed in front of the Treasury. Rows of rugs had been placed on the ground for us to sit on. As we sat, we listened to a Bedouin flutist and a Bedouin guitarist (although he wasn't playing a guitar and I can't remember what the name of the instrument was). We enjoyed the program, which lasted about 20 or 30 minutes before we walked back up the siq.
By the time we got back to our hostel after the walk, we were all tired. So, we crashed. I slept like a log. I think it is because there weren't any birds to bother me. In the morning, we ate a quick breakfast at the hostel and headed back to Petra. After walking together for a couple of hours, the group split. Betsy took her visitor on a hike up Jebel Haroon (Mt. Aaron). Shadea and I wandered around a little more before heading back in order to make our way to Amman.
At the hostel, we asked about the local buses that run from Wadi Musa to Amman. The woman at the hostel reception desk directed us to the bus station. Unfortunately, however, the bus station was vacant. I had completely forgotten to factor in Friday prayer. Buses certainly wouldn't be running until after noon. We had a couple of hours to wait. So, I called the hostel owner. As it turned out, he knew a cab driver that wanted to drive to Amman to visit his daughter who went to university there. He agreed to drive us for a reduced rate.
I was certainly glad to get out of Amman. Petra was a wonderful reminder of the beauty of Jordan. I need more such reminders. Akrum suggested visiting the north- Um Quaiss, specifically. So, this weekend, we'll be renting a mini-bus to take us up north to enjoy a picnic and the greenery. I am looking forward to taking in the contrast between southern sand and northern foliage.
Jordanian Definition: Picnic: A meal prepared and taken by the side of the road (Airport road is a popular selection) on any patch of grass able to be found.
Wadi Musa, the town associated with Petra, is very different from Amman. First, the city is much smaller. Second, the place is saturated with tourists and the accompanying hostels, restaurants and gift shops catering to the visitors. Unfortunately, the population of Wadi Musa has yet to be accustomed to the presence of foreigners. The taxi drivers have no qualms about cheating visitors. Young men unabashedly call out to passing young women (such as those in my group). Finally, the weather is notably warmer in Wadi Musa- just a few hours drive south of Amman.
We pulled into Wadi Musi in plenty of time to check into our hostel (Petra Gate Hotel). Betsy and her college friend were waiting for us. We quickly put our things in our room and made our way to the entrance of Petra where there were some restaurants. We ate a quick dinner (in my case, lentil soup and hummus) and headed for Petra's main entrance. The Petra by Night tour leads participants down the long, winding, votive-lit siq in silence. The walk takes about 30 minutes and the silence is enforced. Perhaps the most spectacular part of the walk is the impressive view of the stars. I have never been able to see the stars as clearly as that night.
The walk concluded in front of the Treasury. The Treasury is Petra's most ornate and most recognized facade. Most associate it, rightfully, with Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. For the tour, a couple hundred of luminaries had been placed in front of the Treasury. Rows of rugs had been placed on the ground for us to sit on. As we sat, we listened to a Bedouin flutist and a Bedouin guitarist (although he wasn't playing a guitar and I can't remember what the name of the instrument was). We enjoyed the program, which lasted about 20 or 30 minutes before we walked back up the siq.
By the time we got back to our hostel after the walk, we were all tired. So, we crashed. I slept like a log. I think it is because there weren't any birds to bother me. In the morning, we ate a quick breakfast at the hostel and headed back to Petra. After walking together for a couple of hours, the group split. Betsy took her visitor on a hike up Jebel Haroon (Mt. Aaron). Shadea and I wandered around a little more before heading back in order to make our way to Amman.
At the hostel, we asked about the local buses that run from Wadi Musa to Amman. The woman at the hostel reception desk directed us to the bus station. Unfortunately, however, the bus station was vacant. I had completely forgotten to factor in Friday prayer. Buses certainly wouldn't be running until after noon. We had a couple of hours to wait. So, I called the hostel owner. As it turned out, he knew a cab driver that wanted to drive to Amman to visit his daughter who went to university there. He agreed to drive us for a reduced rate.
I was certainly glad to get out of Amman. Petra was a wonderful reminder of the beauty of Jordan. I need more such reminders. Akrum suggested visiting the north- Um Quaiss, specifically. So, this weekend, we'll be renting a mini-bus to take us up north to enjoy a picnic and the greenery. I am looking forward to taking in the contrast between southern sand and northern foliage.
Jordanian Definition: Picnic: A meal prepared and taken by the side of the road (Airport road is a popular selection) on any patch of grass able to be found.
Great photos Paula! I remember that you went to Petra last year and had the highest praise for the experience.
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