Tales of Seven

2 Minutes in Wadi Rum, Jordan

It's rough. It's rocky.  (The desert and this video footage). It's a day and night in the remote desert of Wadi Rum, Jordan.

(Music, Viva la Vida by Coldplay)

And Now for Theme Music

A few days ago, some writers over at Petrablog were kind enough to pick up one of my stories of travel in Jordan. Today, they picked up a second one and with a great sense of humor, actually added "Raiders of the Lost Ark" theme music to my itinerary map.

Thanks for having some fun with it, PetraBlog!

Tracing the Journey

Tracing the journey through Jordan  (.... to the sound of 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' theme music? )

In the Tracks of Chariots

Jerash, Jordan

We walked along the paved streets of this 2000 year-old city and could trace the well-worn wheel tracks of chariots beneath our feet. The chant from prayer towers hit the walls of these ruins from 3 different directions, creating an eerie echo. There were amphitheaters, temples, well-preserved roadways, now-dry fountains, and massive staircases. And as with so many sites in Jordan, there were very few people around, so the imagination could run without interruption.

Jerash is "one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Roman architecture in the World outside Italy."  And I could imagine a time when thousands of people walked these fountain-lined streets, stepping out of the way of chariots, bustling on to their destinations....

The little things....

...that tell you you're not in Kansas anymore.

Continued tidbits from a trip to Jordan...

(Coke Light)

Mt. Nebo

Mt. Nebo, Jordan

• The presumed resting place of Moses
• Home to a 4th century church
• Panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes
• A sign pointing to each of the best-known biblical sites
• Peaceful and nature-filled with a warm wind, chatty birds, and beautiful flowers

I enjoyed this stop most for the 'pink-flower-against-sandstone' contrast and the 'feel-of-desert-garden'.

 

The New Seven Wonders of the World

There is an fun effort underway to select the 'New 7 Wonders of the World'. Place a vote if you're interested!  Results are to be announced on 7/7/07.

I voted for:

• Petra
• Taj Majal
• Great Wall of China
• Angkor Wat
• Eastern Island Statues
• Kremlin, St Basil
• Pyramids of Giza

'Cover Donkey'

Wadi Rum, Jordan 

Every once in a while, we saw a lone tree at a hill's edge in an otherwise barren desert; an indication that there was a water source. We found this little guy all by himself next to a tree and a mossy cave filled with clean clear water.

Donkeys, camels and goats were all common to the desert, but I took a particular shine to this little one for his perfect 'Cover Model/Donkey' features and attentive poses.

Little Bedouin Movie Star

Petra, Jordan

These two little Bedouin girls sat at a small trinket stand half way up a long hike to the Monastery. As we paused for a break in the shade, the little girl on the left came up and confidently introduced herself to everyone. She then proceeded to work the crowd with a happy, playful and mischievous manner - borrowing cameras to take pictures, asking questions, and joking around. She had all the poise and charisma of a young movie star.

Best Impression of an Inferno (a Challenger)

The Red Sea, Jordan

In challenge to the 'Best Impression of an Inferno' award I gave to Death Valley (in the USA)... .

I've just reached The Red Sea in Jordan and it's 46 Celsius, or 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Not even the locals are out on the streets. Whew. Enough said.

(Aqaba on the Red Sea and a picture from a Boat Trip on the Red Sea)