Entering a through a huge gorge, the city appears as a revelation of lost times when you hit the end of the gorge. The city, an old Nabbatean center for trade and burial, is mainly carved from the mountain sides, although later Roman and Christian additions is built free standing. The city was lost for almost six centuries, until a Swiss explorer and muslim convert came upon it back in 1812. Today it's a site on the UNESCO-list and was also voted one of the seven "new" wonders of the world. The long walk down was well worth the experience.
On Friday we went to the so-called baptismal site of Jesus of Nazareth, in the Jordan valley. John-Arne has previously been on the Israeli side, but back in 2009 the Pope proclaimed the site to be on the Trans-Jordanian side, since there were found church ruins there dating back to 5th and 6th century. Although it was fine enough, it the precise location don't matter much to our faith.
On our way back we stopped at Amman Beach, i.e. the Dead Sea shore, and took a swim. The weather was kind of rough, but at least Jan got a mud bath. John-Arne on the other hand got sore eyes, as he didn't take care in the rain, that splashed the very salty water back into his eyes.
The last day was spent well poolside and at the beach, just savoring the last bit of sun and warmth before heading back to November in Copenhagen, i.e. rainy, cold and dark weather.
Salam Jordan. Maybee we'll meet again (although preferably without the upset stomach).
Opslag
