Petra, Jordan

Life is good in the Middle East!  It's been a great week so far, full of adventures, hiking, not being able to read or understand much, making new friends, hitching rides numerous times, jumping off waterfalls and basically living the dream.  Lots of good stuff to write about, and yet I am in one of the most beautiful places out there, Petra.  Yes, I was in the capital of Jordan with no money and hostel, at a church service in Arabic with fiery preachers.  Yes, I had to give directions to the Jordan border to the guy I was hitching a ride from.  Yes, I eat hummus at most meals.  Yes, you can hear gunfire as the Israeli army practices.  Yes, there are so many Jewish youth out traveling and hitching around the north of the country, that they will get dropped off by a car, and within minutes they are in a new one and on the road.  But let's focus on Petra, shall we?

Treasury at sunrise

Petra is most known for starring in the film, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, one of my favorite movies.  The Treasury is highlighted towards the end of the film, and is the main reason I am here.  But there is so much more, and it would take numerous days to hike around the see everything.  There are the main sights, such as the Royal Tombs, Monastery, Great Palace and more, but also the mountains the the region to explore.

Some of the Royal Tombs

I've been traveling with two Irish mates, and we hiked all over the National Park.  The first day, after arriving in the morning and sorting out a cheap place to stay ($5/night), we walked down the Siq (huge canyon that leads to Petra) for 1.2 km to arrive at the Treasury basking in sunlight looking magnificent.  Afterwards was on to see tombs, hike up to the High Place of Sacrifice for amazing views before walking down the backside of the mountain visiting more temples, tombs and carvings.  Then up to the Monastery, which is up 800 steps and amazing.  Similar to the Treasury, but less visited due to being so far away and so high up there.  But great views and good times all around.

The Monastery

Day Two:  Even though I was completely beat after yesterday, I woke up to get down to the park for sunrise.  Best decision yet.  Walking into the Siq and to the Treasury, there was no one else.  Yesterday had dozens of tourists everywhere, and today, no one.  Paradise all for me.  Spent time enjoying the coolness of the early morning, as well as the peace and quiet.  Then on to explore the Royal Tombs before the masses came in.  I met up with the Irish guys who wanted a little sleep in, and then we set off to hike the highest peak around, to see the Shrine of Aaron (Moses' brother).  Challenging hike, to 1,394 meters high, surrounded by mountains, desert and amazingness everyone.  Just unbelievable up top.  With a solid lunch break up top, we took on the steep descent and then saw a little bit more before the day was over.  12 solid hours for me in the park, hiking and living it up.

The mountain with the Shrine of Aaron on top

On top of the mountain!

Been a great time here.  This has been an amazing part of the world adventures, and more pictures will be coming soon.  Brace yo'selves!