journey into jordan : wadi rum

I know it's been some time I posted about Jordan, and I had meant to continue on them after posting on Madaba and Petra. Recently I tried to enter the KLM photo competition since I had just come back from Europe on it. Too bad I had already missed the dateline, but it made me recall some of the breathtaking scenes I had seen.

We climbed up the rocks at "Lawrence's Spring", the watering hole for camels. This was our first stop on the guided desert tour on a 4x4.

It felt like being on a different planet altogether. Perhaps Mars looked like this, with all the red sand? I'd never seen so much sand in my life before, very used to tropical greenery had made me appreciate the flora and fauna back home.

We were able to spend some time climbing the many sand dunes in the desert and just gaze around us in awe.

Our tour guide-cum-driver must be so used to seeing all his tourists taking too many shots of the same thing.

Halfway through the tour, he'd create fire, lit up a worn black kettle and proceeded to make tea to serve us. It would be one of the best tea I'd had. We were still trying to figure out what made the tea so ... addictive. We'd never have enough of it, though one might think it's like your regular black tea.

Just stopping by all these rock formations made me imagine the many million years of erosion and natural elements that shaped them to be so.

I particularly liked this one. I call it "The Standing Turtle Pooping".

jordanian hospitality

Being in a foreign country again reminded me of Hazel, the Filipino lady working in the Jordan Tower Hotel. She had been working there for some years, and from what I knew, haven't really gone out much on her own. In the hospitality industry, especially in a budget hotel rated top 3, I can understand why they are needed there almost 24/7.

So when I met up with my new Couchsurfing friend, I decided to bring her out with me. We managed to get approval from her supervisor to sneak her out a couple of hours!

It was also for my own safety since my friends weren't into CS as much as I am! My instincts have guided me most of the time, but being in a foreign country, in the region where it is not famous for gender equality, I wanted to play safe. Personally, I wouldn't have minded going out myself, though it's always merrier to have more company. I was really glad that Hazel later commented she enjoyed herself, being driven in a nice car and being taken out to see the very city she lives in.

Osama, my new Jordanian friend was very hospitable. He drove to downtown Amman where the hotel was located, and picked us up. He asked where we'd like to go and wanted to show us around the city. By then I had been so used to walking and surrounded by dust that it felt rather luxurious to be in an air-conditioned car.

I shared with him what wonderful hospitality we were experiencing. Even the breakfast that came with the room felt too good to be true. It was definitely money very well spent! Every morning we'd get this spread at the cafe next to the lobby, with unlimited refills on the tea and side dishes. They were pretty generous with the jam, cream and humus.

They were all personally cooked by Hazel and her colleagues, who were also very nice people who spoke good English. I'd highly recommend this place to anyone wishing to experience Amman and greater Jordanian hospitality.

It has a warm community feel to it, decorated with items which might belong more in a house, and surrounded by books donated by travelers who have since gone on to other destinations.

I'm glad we had our last stop of Jordan here. Downtown Amman may look far from glamorous, but it's truly the quiet generosity and hospitality of the people that stole my heart. I'm glad for the people I have the privilege to meet.

Just like in my Euro backpack trip, it's almost always the people that seemingly have less who have the biggest hearts, thumbs down. There is still yet hope for humanity!

journey into jordan : petra p2

These stringed camels reminded me of the stuffed elephants that Kedar got for me from India. They were also wrapped in multi-coloured cloth and hung on a long string. Maybe I should find these stringed animals and make a collection, have them hanged on my door as a curtain of sorts!

This native Jordanian girl was trying to show her handicraft to some tourists. I'm impressed how even though they are poor, the locals never beg or hassle you for money. They will sit there with their wares and crafts, but mostly never even persuade you to buy.

Though once when it was about to rain, there was a Bedouin girl (assumed she was one since they were found in Petra, and the nearest town seemed catered to more well-off locals) who asked if I could give her something. I wasn't sure if she was asking for money, but when I asked if she'd like some bread I had packed, she seemed appreciative for it.

I later realised maybe they don't get to eat properly, as she devoured the bread in no time. Later on as I saw more local kids I decided to keep some of my breakfast so that I can give them away.

I have never walked nor hiked this much in my life before! Just two days of Petra have made me wish I was living in Japan when I made the trip. The few years of walking and cycling in Japan have made hitchhiking in Europe almost a breeze. 

Either that, or age is catching up on me!

I would have wanted to support the local craftsman especially those who don't insist you purchase their products, if not for the fact that these were made of glass and Petra was only the 2nd stop, and I didn't know if I could stuff these into my luggage.

However, much later, at my last stop in Amman, a CS-er got me one of these as a souvenir.

I enjoyed marvelling at the fascinating rock formations sculpted over the decades, if not centuries by wind, water and natural elements. Truly God's creations never cease to awe.

So we took the Petra by Night tour which seemed to build up a lot of hype with people queueing up to buy tickets, then the long walk through the Siq with only candles and stars to light our way. The walk ends at the magnificent Treasury where we sat down to enjoy local music and storytelling.

The surrounding is such that microphone or modern audio equipment is not necessary as the sound bounces off the high walls. Could have been better, since the long walk made us more expectant! Still, for those who are not tired out by the day's hike could enjoy the haunting Bedouin music, imagining what life must have been centuries ago.

journey into jordan : petra p1

Words can't even begin to describe what I saw and experience in Petra. All I could think of before going to Jordan was that I had to watch Indiana Jone's movie and bolster myself with some background knowledge of the significance of this place, having read reference to it from the "Left Behind" series.

postcards from madaba p2

Kitty having a munch while waiting for immigration to clear us. Even though we're supposed to be able to get visa on arrival in Jordan, the Dubai folks was aware of that, and almost didn't let us through the airport.
It was at least a 5 hour wait from the time we arrived at Dubai in the wee hours of the morning, and there was no restaurant nor vending machine at the Sharjah International Airport. Thank God for energy bars.

Apparently this was where Moses saw the Promised Land. Trying to imagine what he saw given that most of surrounding were desert land.

A brief stop at the Bethany Beyond The Jordan, whereby Jordan borders Israel. There was a guard stationed there lest anyone attempts to jump into the river and swim across. The river might have been more "fertile" in the Biblical days. I think you can just walk across without fearing of being drowned.

Golden chandelier found in an early Byzantine church. Must be difficult to clean between the edges given the ornate design.

The Greek Orthodox St George church which houses the Madaba Mosaic Map. Considered the most famous of mosaics, it contains a map of the Holy Land and depicts some famous Old City structures such as the Damascus Gate, the gate leading to Mount Zion, the Citadel (Tower of David), and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

postcards from madaba p1

It's funny how when opportunities come, they come all at once. When there's nothing, you feel like you're stuck at status quo for a long time.

This year might prove to be an interesting one, though it won't be short of a rollercoaster of sorts. 6 months would have gone by before you know it; I didn't realise until a colleague asked if I had plans for a holiday this year.

My standard answer would have been "I need to save $ for it", especially since I spent quite a bit on my Middle East tour. Speaking of which, here are some shots which I have not shared earlier.

All taken at Madaba, our first stop in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. More pictures and captions in my Facebook >.<

smudge and blow

Going on a trip with pro photographers have somehow taught me quite a bit, especially on this recent Middle Eastern tour. Them having taken prolly millions of shots by now, having upgraded their tools multiple times and boasting of pictures that garner instant likes on fb; it's quite a privilege indirectly learning from them.

The types of pictures to take, what to look out for, different angles to take shots from. Also, tools of the trade which are a must.

Since Jordan can be dusty, whatwith about 75% of it being desert, I saw both of them taking out 2 black tools many a time. They seemed to be dusting and blowing away what would be fine sand off the filters and lenses. Even the nooks and crevices around the camera itself.

Being curious, I asked to try out and realised how useful these were. Feeling a bit paiseh that I had to keep borrowing theirs everyday, I determined to get one myself when I came back home.

Well, I didn't have to wait long, because we saw and bought some at our stopover at Dubai.

So now I have 2 additions to my D5000 - the lenspen and blower.

I know that once I started this hobby, I'd have to eventually spend more $ on the accessories and tools. Not to mention upgrades and other "necessary" stuff later. >.<