Our Boston Adventure
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by Melissa TerrisI remember watching the movie ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ as a kid, and seeing the city of Petra standing in the background when Indiana Jones finds the holy grail. So finding out as an adult that this was an actual place and not a green screen CGI effect, I had to see it!
The country of Jordan was actually my last trip without Richard, before the world shut down in March 2020. I decided to go with an organized tour company with my mom, which meant everything was prepaid with the exception of meals.
When we arrived in Jordan, we were picked up and taken through customs by our specialized airport guide, then whisked away in a van to our first hotel on the Dead Sea. (One thing I didn’t realize was the differences in climate from one part of Jordan to the other. The temperature at the Dead Sea was about 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, but I had only researched temperatures in Amman which was 30 degrees cooler; needless to say my wardrobe was all over the place!)
The first thing I wanted to do was to take a dip in the famous Dead Sea. The unique and fascinating thing about the Dead Sea is that it has a significantly high concentration of salt and minerals which allows you to float. As someone who can’t swim (don’t judge me), this was an amazing experience.
There was also the Dead Sea mud, face and body mask which is also a must. It will have your skin feeling smooth and silky. The mud and water are also known to have medicinal properties. We stayed at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which was right on the water, and made for amazing views. The rooms were clean and large. Meals weren’t included so that meant paying for buffet dinners, which were reasonably priced.
We then made our way to the site of Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan river. The ruins and architecture of all the sites were well maintained. It was amazing to see ruins from both BC and AD. The amount of history that surrounds this country is unbelievable.
After leaving the Dead Sea we made our way north, where we stopped at the city of Karak and visited old castles that were well preserved. Then to little Petra, a smaller city that depicts the city of Petra. Finally, in the evening, we arrived in Petra. We stayed at a hotel that was across the street from the famous archaeological site. We woke up the next day right after sunrise to have breakfast and walk out to Petra.
We arrived early before the large crowds which was excellent as it allowed for great photo opportunities and more time to explore. In order to get to the treasury, which is the site that is most notable in the Indian Jones movies, you have to make your way through narrow canyons. The preservation and maintenance of the site is breathtaking. Petra tells the story of a lost civilization called the Nabatean. They were later conquered by the Romans, who arrived and built structures such as the theaters, facades, monasteries, and treasuries.
As you make your way down that narrow canyon and the treasury becomes more visible, it’s astounding to see it in person. You’ll definitely need at least 5 minutes to comprehend its magnitude, and once you do you’ll find yourself exploring this small city for hours. Petra’s construction of pink sandstone structures is so intricate and complex, it’s unbelievable that structures of that scale could be created during that time period.
In the city they have camels that provide rides as well as donkeys, and horse buggies that can get you to and from the entrance of Petra. Once inside we were free to explore. You have merchants selling souvenirs, restaurants, and even some inhabitants who still live inside of the city. While inside you feel like you have traveled back in time. It can take hours to explore all of Petra. I’d recommend arriving early and using all the daylight that you can get to explore, but at night there is also the great sight of Petra under the lights.
The next day we moved on to the capital of Amman. It was different from all the rest of Jordan as it was very busy and modern. There was McDonald’s, Popeyes fried chicken, and Pizza Hut. Crossing the street was like an Olympic event, until I found out there was a raised pedestrian walkway which made crossing the street a little less heroic. The streets were so colorful with spices, meats, and beautiful faces. One of the best desserts we were offered while on our tour was kunafa. While I don’t think this is native to Jordan, I would highly recommend it. It’s main ingredients are ricotta cheese, sugar, and a little taste of heaven.
Jordan has so much to offer, and even more places to explore than we visited. If you’re looking to explore the beautiful treasures of the past then Jordan is for you. The people were kind, I felt very safe, and the food was good. The Jordanian Dinar is worth more than a US dollar, and slightly more than a British pound, so your money wouldn’t go as far as other countries but it’s still worth your visit.
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