Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Aqaba..isn't that where Aladdin lived???

Walking to Jordan!
Far too much luggage - check! Black clothing - check! 2 lg water bottles - check! check!....Ready for our walk!

Omar....our driver!
Friends, meet Omar...our Jordanian cab driver! This guy picked us up in Aqaba, and drove us to Petra. However, he never left...he stayed in Petra, and drove us to and from sights for 3 days, before taking us back to Aqaba. We have no idea where he slept or how he got a change of clothes every day...but sure enough, each day, he was waiting for us outside our hotel. One night, while in Petra, we emailed him a time to pick us up from our hotel and he must have saved our email address - sure enough, a few weeks ago, Andreas got a random email from Omar saying, "I miss you, come back and visit me in Jordan and bring your friends and family!" We are starting to think that we paid him way to much money for his services!

This photo was taken with Andreas because I felt uncomfortable with Omar resting his head on my shoulder as well....and I wanted my picture taken!
Is there anyone out there...
Our hotel sat on the top of a hill just outside Petra. It was our hotel, and 1 other couple...and that was it! We could see the town from our hotel room...but that was literally it...no corner store to pick up ice cream...no bar down the street....nothing! However, it did make for some beautiful sunsets!






I know it might be hard to see, but the word for Toilets, in Arabic, looks like a happy face with the letters LoLo after it....made me laugh! Needless to say, I will always know how to locate a toilet in an Arabic country...."Excuse me, Where is your Happy LoLo?"

Our Journey to find the Treasury! 
VIDEO'S:
Finding Petra!
1.Searching -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czAmfFfTutE
2. Still Searching -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_lVjlScK9c
3. Found it! -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OltK1MRcRoo


Petra


Beginning our hike towards the Treasury



We finally made it! Incredible

I don't know why, but this guy reminded me of Hunter...our family dog!

Taking in the view!

That's me....wayyyyyy over there! Clearly, I am just as impressive as the building!

VIDEO:
Looking Down at Petra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkkJRa991hk

Interesting Fellow...

This was Jordan's version of the Dirty Old Man....(grandma, you would have found him hilarious!)

He told us that he has 2 wives and 22 children. He said the children were wonderful, but the wives were crazy.....he followed that up with suggesting to Andreas that he should take a 2nd wife as well.
VIDEO:
22 Kids & 2 Wives.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE9sfx2ubqU

He tried to sell this to Andreas...but we didn't buy it....we just couldn't figure out where it would fit in our home.

More and More Petra!

It was really quiet here....peaceful!



Find Andreas!



VIDEO:
Man on Horseback
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6WO45VpO-Y

Petra by Night
One evening, we took the long walk from the entrance of Petra to the Treasury....in the dark. When we reached the Treasury we were entertained by some local music and a storyteller.

VIDEO:
Petra by Night - Music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io3ZfiFPPAU

You can see the Treasury in the background. These lanterns covered the ground in front of the building.
VIDEO:
Petra Storyteller (Very cool shot of The Treasury at the end of this video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqz0ER5XXDg

That same night, there was a red moon eclipse...happens only every 10 years or so!

Heading back to Israel

Goodbye Jordan!
VIDEO:
Boarder Crossing - The Walk!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjG1XtXb7pw

Aqaba...land of Aladdin....heading back to find Robin Williams in the magic lamp!

Our time in Jordan was short, but it was the perfect amount of time to fit in everything we wanted to see and do. Now, off to Switzerland to see family for a few days.

Hope you enjoyed the post!

1 comment:

  1. Wow ... I enjoyed your posts a lot. Thanks for sharing your experience. So ... who's next I can follow?

    ReplyDelete