JORDAN!  THE MIDDLE EAST.

 

Today we have left Egypt and are moving north into Jordan.  We must first cross the border back into Israel.  We will then cross over into Jordan.  You can see below the area we are in.  

Immigration and customs takes up a bit of our time.  It was not too bad though.  The Jordanian Officials were friendly and happy to see tourists.  It was not nearly as intrusive as entering Israel.  We have to go through about five points before we are able to enter Israel.  We only had to go through about three for Jordan.  It was a long walk between the Israel side and the Jordanian side.  There is a large area that is nothing but desert.  It is almost like a DMZ zone of sorts.  It was fun though.  

Our first stop is Aqaba.  It is a beautiful city that rests on the Red Sea.   The water is an amazing blue color.  The hue of this blue is something I have rarely ever seen.  The closest thing that I can compare it to would be the water near Cancun, Mexico.  It is definitely a magical blue!  There are not many places like this in the world.  A massive flag waves over the city - it reminds me of the HUGE flag in Cancun, Mexico.  I love it!  I enjoy seeing the flags of other countries.  It is especially nice to see one so large.  


The HUGE Jordanian flag proudly waves over the port.




This is part of the palace in the city.  It is in ruins now.  This is
where the little craft store was (to the left beyond that wall.)


One of the symbols of the Muslim world.  
You will find this atop all of their 
religious buildings.

 

 



We stop in at an Old Palace, which is located right on the sea.  We take a few photos here but of more interest was a little craft store near the location.  This store is run by the Queens Foundation (charity.)  There was a lady there that runs the place.  She showed us a large book that was made up of hundreds of photographs of King Hussein of Jordan.  For those who do not know who King Hussein was then you should look it up on Google.  He was a very loved and admired man.  Many countries around the world adored him.  He certainly had a lot of friends.  The book that she shows us is filled with wonderful photos of his life.  I am definitely going to try and order it once I get back to Israel.  It is too large to bring with us on this trip.  I was mesmerized by the beauty of all of the black and white photographs.  The woman told us a lot of stories about some of the photos.  David pointed out a photograph of the King playing with his ham radio equipment.  David's dad had talked with King Hussein once through his ham radio.

We stopped off to eat at a little cafe/restaurant located within the city.  We had a wonderful Jordanian meal.  We did get a lot of looks from the local people.  I think because we were a bit out of "our" area.   The atmosphere was amazing.  Very nice.

Ok well onward we travel...

One might ask themselves how a desert can be beautiful.  Nothing but sand...right?  :)  WELLLL  Going from atop Mt Sinai and then below the sea and now into the desert!  I think we are experiencing something different each and every day!

The desert is amazing.  I am already in love with this country!  Our guide takes us around the desert in the 4x4 jeep.  He shows us a number of sites.  Natural bridges and so on.  It is a relaxing day.  We walked in the desert for awhile.  I took my sandals off and enjoyed the feel of the sand between my toes.  It is funny to watch the sand blow around.  It is almost like drifting snow.  It snakes along for miles and miles and miles.  An endless journey in itself.  

 

Journey to the sandstone area of Wadi Rum



Through the windshield of the truck. We were driving off-road.
There was some pretty impressive hills and valleys that we 
went through.  The truck handled it pretty well!  



One of hundreds of kewl rock formations scattered throughout the area.





It is hot outside!  It is a dry hear though.  I think we are definitely getting
a tan!




This is the truck that the guide drove.





David by the truck.  This was a kewl little area with a
natural bridge above us.  We had tea here.  Some local
residents showed up on camels.  They made tea for us.  :)





Jordan Desert - lots and lots of sandstone!




Our guides brother drove his truck up on the natural bridge.  heh



Group of people we met from Australian.  They have been 
touring the Middle East for awhile now.






The Australian group that we met along the way to our camp.



One of the large natural bridges.  Sandstone.





Some more camels in the desert.  These belong to some locals.  

 


Lunch in the desert.  

 

After spending the day in the desert we head for our camping area.  This is called a Bedouin camp site.  I can't really explain what Bedouin means.  The closest thing that I can think of is Nomads.  I will have to work on a new definition.  Anyway these are people that live in small camps and communities.  The one near the camp has about 300 people.  As we approach the camp we see dozens of little and big dust whirls.  There is a small dust storm going on.  I am impressed!  It feels like we are chasing tornadoes or something.  You can see them whirl up in front of us.  Some of them extend upwards more than 100 feet!



One of the LARGE dust devils swirling around in 
the desert.




This is the place we will camp for the night!



The camp is pretty small.  I would say there was probably no more than 20 tents.  Our guide takes us into a small Bedouin village.  The village is located right next to the camp.  He takes us to a concrete house.  Some children come outside to greet us.  One come up to the gate and says "Welcome Welcome."   All three of us get out of the jeep and go inside their house.  They welcome us with greetings and hot tea.  As you enter the house you see two large rugs on the floor.  These are rugs with Middle Eastern type of designs on them.  Against the wall are places that you can sit on the floor.  This is the room where people meet and talk with each other.  It is like a living room of sorts.  It all reminds me of something you would see on Aladdin.



This is the house where the family of eight live.


The oldest boy (who was probably no older than 13) brings us tiny cups of hot tea.  It is mint tea.  His two sisters, who are younger than him, sit on the couch and play some sort of game on paper.  There are also two younger brothers.  One of them sits next to David and occasionally looks and smiles.  He wears glasses.  He is watching everything that is going on around him.  The very youngest brother (who is prob 4) is shy and bashful.  He doesn't come into the room at first.  He does occasionally peek from around the curtain though and looks at us.  They do have a television set in the room.  It is playing Iraqi music videos!  I guess kids are the same everywhere.  I couldn't understand what they were singing.  It sounded nice though.

David breaks the ice by allowing the kid next to him to play a video game on his Blackberry.  All the kids come over and watch.  The kid just smiles and laughs and his you could tell that he was thrilled to be playing.  His sisters wait patiently to try this skills at the game.  Eventually I ask if I may take some photographs.  The mother says yes.  I go and get the camera.  The kids love it!  The kid with glasses says that he wants his photo taken.  He hops on his bike (which is sitting in the living room) and smiles.  I take his photo.  He rushes over to check it out on the digital screen.  The other kids then want their photo taken.  They take me outside and away we go.  The oldest wants his photograph taken in front of the 4 x 4 truck.  The sisters want their photo taken together.  Then all of the kids want a photo of the group.  I tell them that I will mail them copies of the photographs.  



The middle boy on his bike.   This boy reminds me of Tyler.  He
constantly wanted his photograph taken and then would run over
and check it out.





Kids are the same EVERYWHERE.  





Two sisters.  



The older boy - the one that brought us tea.




The middle boy with his puppy.




Oldest boy by our four by four.  You notice how the smiles of children
look the same - whether they are Christian or Muslim.

 


:)  This is the youngest brother.  He is shy.




This is the mother of the children.




BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE...

It makes me very sad to think about all of the struggles that this region is going through.  EVERYWHERE we go we hear the same thing - we want peace.  The people want peace.  The governments do not seem to see things that way.  People are the same no matter where you go.  They want to be happy and they want to be free.  They want to take care of their children and see them well.  It is simple...or should be.

What a blast we had visiting this Muslim Family.  I was so happy to have the experience!

Before we leave the house I ask the kids if they know who Superman is?  I tell them that I am from Metropolis, Illinois.  The kid with glasses immediately gets this look on his face and says "YOU ARE SUPERMAN?????"  I laugh and smile!  I tell him no - but that I live where Superman is from.  I am going to send them some Superman T-Shirts and comics!  I am sure they will love that!!!!!

So on to the camp we head.  We watched the sun setting from atop the mountain behind the camp.  We walked to the top of it.  It wasn't too long of a walk!  Well worth the effort.



Sunset in the Jordan Desert!  Awesome!!!!! :) :) :) :) :)  




SIGH

It is dusty out here.  Starting to get some dust on the lens!  Hopefully it won't be difficult to clean.

 

We could see SOOOOO many stars!  Millions and millions of little lights in the sky.  We kept watching for a falling star.  I never did see one though.  Maybe next time!  I got chilly the next morning.  It gets cold in the desert at night.  There is nothing to hold the heat in.  

We go to Petra tomorrow.  I am worn out but ready to keep moving!

The whole camp experience was amazing.  It is hard to even try to explain in words.  FUN FUN FUN!  Memories that will last FOREVER.

 

 

OK WELL I ACTUALLY HAVE TO STILL POST THE PHOTOS FROM PETRA.  I AM TIRED THOUGH.  WE ARE HEADING FOR TEL AVIV!  WE ARE GOING TO WATCH STAR WARS OVER THERE.  I MAY NOT POST TOO MUCH.  I WILL HAVE TO WORK ON THE PETRA PHOTOS.  THERE ARE SOME GOOD ONES.

MISS EVERYONE BACK HOME.  CAN'T WAIT TO ACTUALLY TELL YOU IN PERSON SOME OF THESE ADVENTURES.

MORE LATER...

 

TURN THE PAGE FOR TEL AVIV :) CLICK HERE


 

 

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