A Day in the Desert

I spent the whole day at Wadi Rum. Exploring the desert gave me some time to reflect on my travels over the last four weeks. I’ll be flying home in about 48 hours. Egypt, Israel, and Jordan have each given me a lot to think about. My intent was to learn more about how the media engages the people in each of these countries.  What sources of information do they trust and rely on?  What news is important to them?  I’m now trying to make some sense of what I’ve learned. But, sometimes finding answers to such questions is like chasing a mirage.  You can see it but it seems impossible to reach. I’ll have more time on my flight home to search for a conclusion. In the meantime, here’s a video of my day in the desert. 

Petra

Petra is the most famous site in Jordan. It became  a UNESCO site in 1985 and was named on of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. 

Though the area has been inhabited for several thousand years, Petra was established as a trading hub around 300 BC.

It’s the Treasury that most people are familiar with but, it is actually a large complex of tombs, temples, and market place. I spent eight hours exploring and there was still parts I hadn’t seen. 

Two Churches and a Castle

This was a full day. 

I first visited the St George Church with a mosaic floor that maps out the Middle East. It was also fun exploring the church.

From there it was on to the church on Mt. Nero.

After two churches, I think it’s time to explore the Karak Castle.

 

Jerash

I left Amman early the next day to visit Jerash, a fascinating site and one of the largest and most well-preserved Roman ruins outside Italy.  I wandered amid its paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theaters, spacious public squares, and plazas, baths, fountains, and city walls pierced by towers and gates.

Welcome to Jordan

Well, Israel was a little tough without my luggage. I now have a new backpack and some new clothing as I am checked in to the hotel in Amman. Things are looking up after a great dinner. 

Not Done Yet

I just boarded my flight to Amman Jordan but, I haven’t yet finished with Israel. As I said before, Israel is complicated. A complicated history, complicated religions, and complicated politics. I’ve also found myself questioning my own bias as I try to interpret what I’ve seen. For the moment I only have a word of caution. I have American friends who have strong opinions about the state of Israel. I even have considered myself fairly well informed. But, having now been here for a week, I realize my understanding has been very superficial. So, my advice to any American is to be as informed as you can but, don’t expect to be an overnight expert. This place is, indeed, very complicated with a very long and complicated history.  In the meantime, I want to share a video made by a friend of my travel friend, Esther.  It’s a satirical account of Israel’s long, tragic history. 

So, though I’m not done with Israel yet, I will now move on to Jordan with more to come about Israel. 

Still Processing

I will need a bit more time to process everything I’ve seen here in Israel and Palestine. In the meantime, I will let the images I’ve captured speak for themselves.