For Thanksgiving this year, I decided to go to Jordan to learn some religious and cultural history. I've achieved, accomplished, and earned this year than previous years. But when I find myself getting stuck in my small world and the daily grind, I have to step outside my ordinary comfort zone to expand my world/life view and mind.
1. Petra
Petra is 1 of the 7 Wonders of the World and 1 of the world's largest archeological sites, half-built and half-hewn into the rocks.
The most famous portion of the Petra is the Treasury:
Petra was connected Arabia, Egypt, and Syria-Phoenicia since the 2nd century BCE.
It is located between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea. It was the capital city of the Nabateans (nomadic Arabs) and served as a major trading location for the incense of Arabia, silks of China, and spices of India.
2. Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is a desert valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock, formed from millions of years of landscape evolution.
The best times to visit Wadi Rum is September~November before the cold of winter and March~May before the heat of summer. After all, Wadi Rum is a desert and can have extreme climates.
You will notices petroglyphs and inscriptions on some of these rocks. They show 12,000 years of human interaction with nature.
The movie "Lawrence of Arabia" was filmed in Wadi Rum! The portrait of T.E. Lawrence is hewned into this rock. He was a British archeologist army officer, and diplomat who was famous for his role in the Arab Revolt against the Turks in WWI.
If the weather is clear, you can see the breathtaking sunset and at night, the starriest sky you will ever see (unfortunately I did not get to see the starry sky).
Zarb is a traditional underground oven used by the Bedouins to preserve the flavor of meat:
The lamb and chicken dinner for tonight!
It was absolutely delicious!
3. Downtown Amman
View of downtown Amman:
The Roman Theater was built in honor of Emperior Antoninus Pius in the 2nd century and is still used today!
4. The Amman Citadel
Amman Citadel is one of the world's oldest places that was continuously inhabited by many great civilizations. The Citadel dates back to the Neolithic period and through the Roman period when Amman was known as Philadelphia (up until the late 1800s.).
This is the Umayyad Palace located is a large palace located on the Citadel Hill.
5. The Jordan Archeological Museum is also located at the Citadel.
This "Map" from the Middle Bronze Age was made from ivory, new cedar, and ebony. It imitates the shrine.
I thought this one was adorable!
These little horse men from the Iron Age (900~550 BCE) were also so cute!
6. The Jordan Museum
This papyri was excavated from the Petra Church.
Written: Aug 8, 574 CD
The famous Dead Sea Scrolls were found in these jars in 1946. The Dead Sea Scrolls are some of the oldest surviving manuscripts in history. They are significant and integral to Christianity and Judaism.
Most of the Scrolls are in Israel but some are in Jordan.
Jordan, Israel, and Palestine contest the ownership of the Dead Sea Scrolls to this day.
(No photos were allowed)
7. Dead Sea
The Dead Sea mud and salt have antimicrobial properties and have been proven to treat acne, psoriasis, and eczema, among other skin conditions. It detoxifies, nourishes, and tightens your skin!
Due to the density of the water, your body will float effortlessly--just make sure you don't get water in your eyes or mouth!
Sadly, the Dead Sea is receding at a rapid rate of ~4 feet/year. So I highly recommend visiting if you can!
8. Al-Maghtas (Jesus Baptism Site)
Map of the Jordan River site where Jesus was baptized:
Gold Bible
This is the exact site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist:
These are the remains of the 5 churches built in the 5th century as memorials of Jesus' baptism. (Only 3 in this picture)
The Jordan River separates Jordan from Palestine. Due to ongoing conflict, tourists are forbidden from crossing the river, or even saying hello to the other side:
I'm not religious at all but I do find all religions to be fascinating! I had to dip my feet in the Jordan River.
9. Food
Food was relatively cheap and delicious. I especially loved the chicken liver. And of course, Arabic coffee was plentiful:
I loved the Halawa. It's a Middle Eastern sweet made from sesame paste.
And of course, I couldn't pass up my favorite: Handmade pistachio Baklava!
Some more date-based treats:
(Middle Eastern confectionary contain a lot of nuts!)
They have Middle Eastern sodas!
Will I see camels so up close again??
I'm reminded yet again that there is so much of the world and life I have to see, and I must keep a thankful mindset because I am just a tiny speck in this vast universe in time.
Links:
Tour guide (car ride to all the sites included):
