3 Memorable experiences from Jordan.
These are moments in time that I will remember for one reason or another, but usually evoke a certain response or memory which make them stand out and different from the rest of the memories. I’m not sure if these are the most memorable events from my 5 days in Jordan, but I’m going to try to remember them for specific reasons.
- Crossing the Border
While this should seem like such a simple event, it was completely different than I had expected. I assumed that I would be waiting in line four hours just to leave one country and enter the next. There would be angry security guard at both ends trying to tell me what to do in their natural language so I wouldn’t be able to understand anything they said. The reality of the border crossing was much different than I had expected and this is where I underestimate the prominence of the English language. Everyone spoke English was little hindrance from their native tongue; I had no problems understanding everyone. The first surprising event at the border was the simplicity of everything. The only times that I had previously entered a new country was at an airport, so I was not expecting the simple walk from one country to the next. After the taxi ride from the bus station, we were dropped off at the border and were expected to joyfully walk across the border, which is not too far off from what actually happened. They border police checked our passports several times, we paid, and walked from one person to the next. There were no other people trying to cross the border at that time so it was really easy. Quickly, we were out of Israel. Peace. We tried to figure out where the exact border between the countries was, but even the police didn’t know. “Somewhere between this line and that line”. Oh, ok. So, umm, we’re in Jordan now? Why not. Onto the Jordan side of crossing the border. Same same. Person, show the passport, pay the fee...welcome to Jordan. Even though the people there were a little more ‘friendly’ (in that they were hitting on the girls), they were still were helpful and gave good advice. That was the process of crossing the border from Israel into Jordan. A simple process that gave the impression of peace between the two nations.
- The Rock of Masculinity
This experience is more lighthearted and less thought-provoking than the latter (and previous) but still an interesting one. After the day of travel that had been behind us (bus to central buss station in B7, bus to eilat, taxi to aqaba, taxi to wadi rum, 4WD to the tents), we finally could relax and spend time doing whatever we pleased without having to worry about getting to the proper location. We settled into our respective tents (guys vs. girls) and then looked around. The beauty of this wadi was spectacular. Yes, we were in another desert, much like the one we lived in by B7 (Beer Sheva), but the rock formations were spectacularly different because the rocks went straight up and contained high ledges. Naturally, this sparked a sense of adventure in us guys. We found some rocks to climb, and climbed. We ascended the rocks and began our little adventure of seeing who could find the highest spot (ok, so this was a little competition that I did not voice to my opponents, but still won) and then just chillaxed. After the day that we had, we had earned this moment of peace. The simple reward of sitting on a rock formation gazing upon the wonders of the land invoked a feeling of inner peace like no other. Generally, being alone in nature allows for this release, but to receive this as a gift of what is to come and what has already happened made this moment even more special. And us guys named it the Rock of Masculinity simply because the girls were not there (they were still unpacking [and gabbing]) and so this rock belonged to us at that moment in time. It was ours and no one could take that moment away from me.
- Petra’s Limitedness
I had visited Petra the day before but the strength of the sandy wind shut down my brain and I just couldn't muster the ability to think. Although this second day was still cold (7 layers cold), I was more prepared (mentally and clothing-wise) for the toughness of Petra. It was cool. Yay. Nothing too spectacular other then the fact that people lived there thousands of years ago. It is very interesting to be able to look at all of these structures that the Nabateans built directly into the rock faces. Walking around for a while looking at all of the interesting things that were there was fun, but the real fun began off of the beaten track. At one point, we went on a walk to see more ruins, and I will admit that it was interesting (boring) so I then decided that our next move would be walking in a random direction because I was tired of looking at the same old things. After a while we took a break, sat down, and admired our surroundings. This began the most fascinating aspect of the trip. The rocks were the sand. While this may sound obvious or simple, I actually realized that all of the sand around me, in the entire desert, came from these rocks that I was sitting on. If I were to return to that exact same spot in another ten years, it may not be there simply due to erosion. The rock was also coloured!! Not just red, but yellow and white and purple. Beautiful colours that truly exist in nature. I’d never seen such natural sand colours. One of the many touristy items that one can buy in Petra is the sand bottle, where the ‘artist’ will make a camel design out of coloured sand. I personally didn’t think it was anything special, but I could go out, take some sand, and make my own true Petra sand design, that’s cool. I spent quite a while taking clumps of coloured sand and smashing them against the ground or other rocks and watching the beautiful colours being spread out to make my own Petra sand art. One of my friends even took many clumps of different colours in order to make her own coloured designs. After this break, we went and discovered the Petra burials. The only impressive part of the burials (and most of Petra) was that it was still there. They were big spaces carved from the rock. On first glance there was nothing interesting, but then I realized what I looking at. This rock face had withheld thousands of years of people and wind trying to destroy it and yet it remained. I pondered all of this while sitting on top of a perch made from Petra rock. Yes, I sat on Petra. It was stable as, well, a rock. From afar it looks sturdy, but then when I got close to it, I thought that maybe it would be easily broken, which was not the case. I had a wonderful deep conversation with a friend in Petra and on Petra. Later while walking away from this whole experience, I brushed my hand against the wall and my nail accidentally scraped some of the sand. The simplicity of a fingernail being able to destroy something so precious made the rock-face even more memorable. How has it lasted this long when so many people touch it and deface it? I’m not sure, but I’m glad that it is still around. I understand the reason why it is considered one of the modern 7 wonders of the world, even though I don’t believe it to be too special.
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