I am on a trip within a trip now. We spent last night at Wadi Rum.. Dana Nature
preserve. It was an ECO hotel... we slept 4 in a room! Bunk Beds! Yes I did, showers
down the hall, no tv!!! The upside was it was so beautiful. The hotel perches on
the edge of a huge valley, overlooking the Jordan River and on the border with
Israel. We could see the Israeli flag..sunset to die for.
On the way to Wadi Rum we stopped at a Crusader Castle. It was built in the 1l00's
and finally finished off by the turks with modern weapons. The castle was Kayrak.
I cannot even describe the beauty of this poor country.(I just had the memory from
my friends camera put on CD so I am going to try and load some pictures.) There
are sheep and goats grazing everywhere. Bedowin tents, camels in herds. The women
are very covered in the countryside. More so than the cities. Everyone is so nice
and they always try and help you out.
This morning, the very hearty got up and 6 and went for a 3 hour hike. Opps, didn't make that hike, then another group went out at 10, missed that too. I went
with a guide, Abib and he took me to the "workshop" where jewerly and food items
are produced. These items are sold throughout Jordan and sold to support the Wadi.
There were about 7 women in two large rooms making jewerly. They make about 50 JD
$80 us per month plus 20% comminssion on everything sold. (Well, really how could
I NOT buy sarah a neclace and Becky one too, it was practically a charitable donation). They also showed me the room where they make apricot leathers and jam!
There were two girls stirring two big pots of jam and jars all over. It looked like
home! No supervisors, no certificates, no bs, just business! Everything was done
by hand.
We are now in Petra. This is a very ancient site, that I will learn more about
tomorrow after I hike in 2 1/2 miles and back out again. I think there are camels
that take you part way. I have tried to hire a sudan chair but they don't seem to be
available. We leave on this little jaunt around 6:45am. We should be back around
2 or 3 pm. I plan on having a swim and then, oh happy day, there is a Turkish bath
here and I'm so going to that!!
We all went down to the pool, that looks like the one in AbFAb when they went
to Morroco, and had drinks poolside and a wonderful swim. We are shopping tonight
but its pretty touristy. There are many tourists here. Japenese and Greek. I'm not
seeing many Americans here in Jordan. Oh, there was hot water and a working blow
dryer at the hotel, oh happy day!
Today is the Fourth of July, we had a toast to the USA at dinner. I miss you all
and I hope you are all having a great holdiay and enjoying the many freedoms that
democarcy offers. Also, please think about all the people that are opressed in this
world, including those suffering in the middle east because we are occupying their lands. Pray for peace in our time.
Suzi
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2 comments:
Fireworks can be seen from my upsatirs livingroom coming Berkeley, the City Front, Sausalito, and Tiburon. Poor NEMO. I gave him 2 pills in cream cheese at 7pm but he is still pacing the room or going up and doen the stairs. I have even considered putting ear plugs in his ears. It looks as if I will miss the pretty fireworks because someone has to calm him. I miss you. Hurry uup and come home. I have great pictures of the trip to Ithaca. Including our private jet nonstop from OAK to ITH. Cheers, Be safe.
VVVVVVVVV
Love the blog and i think you should try to hike a little. Then again, who am I confusing my mother with. I love your retrospection and devottion to the cause, especially that of buying me jewlery. But its very true, we really dont know how great we have it. I am so excited to hear about more of your adventures. I still cant believe you are in Jordan. In a coffee shop yesterday here in Amsterdam, a Maroc couple was discussing refuggee status and Jordan...They must be by way of spain, cause the convo was in spanish. Crazy....I ear hustled the whole thing, seems most middle eastern people are educated on what is happening around the world. Wish I could say that about more americans. Love, Sarah
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