Petra, Jordan Feb 29--Mar 2, 2012

the marriage rock

We are going to visit the ancient city of Petra, no matter if it is freezing and blowing 50 miles an hour, so we put on our 5 layers and all the scarves we can find and set out, wishing we had gloves.  It's pretty as we begin our walk, the rocks a beautiful red hue, round and rough, smallish, but growing larger as we walk toward the entrance to the city.  Our Petra guide Mohammed urges us on, and pretty soon we find ourselves in the Siq, the narrow passage through very tall mountains.  The Nabateans were the original builders in about 1000 BC but the Romans came in with their architecture in about 106 AD and tweaked the buildings to suit their own building style. 

Mohammed explains various sites along the way, then tells us to stop, turn and take 7 steps (8 steps will put us in a different century).  We do that, turn to our right, and at that point The Treasury comes into partial view.  It is magnificent!  The Nabateans carved caves with facades that are truly amazing, tall as the small mountain they cover with their carved fronts.  And there are many, many of these caves that used to be used for tombs, archaeologists believe.  The decorated caves go on for about 2 miles, interspersed with Bedouin tents and men walking around leading camels, horses and donkeys for hire.  There are some ruins that were large buildings, beautiful with large columns and marble steps. 

Gloria & "Indiana Jones" according to the guides

We climb up steps to the small museum at the top, then follow the little path around to the other side of the mountain where there is a tea house.  We can see for miles and are stunned by the size and shape of the mountains in the distance.  There are goats and sheep being herded by shepherds and visitors who are wandering along the paths.  We stop for tea at one of the Bedouin tents and are grateful for the warm wood stove and respite from the wind. 

the amazing tall facades of Petra

beautiful rock formation and colors

After seeing as much as we can at the end of the valley, we retrace our steps back to the Treasury.  Have I said fascinating many times?  It is so amazing to see such an ancient complex of structures and imagine how these people built them without modern tools, just shovels and blades.  After gazing at the 100' tall Treasury once more, and after being in the cold, underdressed, for about 4 hours, we return through the Siq, thinking about the Roman pavement beneath our feet and again taking in the carving of statues, gods' niches, and the 2 mile water aqueduct they provided for the people living in the area. A unique and incredible people!