Day 3: Petra

The weather was good for December--about 35 degrees in the morning and expected high of 60.  We were up and headed for the the gate by 9:00 a.m. --dressed warm.

Not very many tourists have been visiting the park lately because of all the turmoil in the region, but we were very safe.    

At first it was great being practically the only ones here.  We didn't have to stand in line to take our pictures or be dealing with huge crowds.  But then we found out that all the hucksters (Bedouins) were extra diligent in their efforts to sell us something.  It was difficult to get away from them.

To enter Petra we passed through a very narrow desert gorge called the Siq ("seek"). 

 For about one mile we were surrounded by a massive wall or rock towering to a height of 70 meters (76 yards) above.

This makes Petra one of the best defended cities of all time.

The variegated colors in the rock were impressive.

After walking for about 45 minutes the gorge suddenly opened up to the magnificent treasury.

The Nabataens carved this enormous royal tomb out of solid rock in the side of the mountain.

Kristen and Jill liked it.

The rest of Petra was carved out of the rock.

So interesting!

It was fun to explore and try to guess what life would have been like living here.

Kevin was like a mountain goat...running up and down the ancient pathways.

We could hear our voices echo off the walls of this large room.  

Notice the beautiful swirls in the rock.

An old Bedouin woman was selling coins she had found in the area.  She kept saying, "Nabataean"  "Nabataean" meaning they were left from the ancient Nabataean's who built the city.  Kevin and Dad bought some.

We all rode camels back to the treasury, even Mom and Dad.  Yee Haw!!

 Here we are heading out of the park back up the Siq.

We had a long trip ahead--6 hours to Al Husn.

Stopover in Amman for ice cream

Day 2: Drive to Petra

We stopped at the Subway shop in Amman for sandwiches to eat on the way because there aren't any restaurants or fast food places to stop for food. 

Driving south from Amman, we took the King's Highway, a major trade route that runs from Syria in the north to Aqaba in the south.  The area south of Amman is much like southern Utah--very dry desert.  We passed through several small towns, but nothing very significant.  This same highway was used by Abraham when he sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac.  Moses and the children of Israel also passed through here.  In New Testament times the King's Highway was a route between Galilee and Judea that would have been taken to avoid the land of the Samaritans.  Some say Jesus may have traveled from Galilee to Jersalem this way.  Later, when Paul journeyed from Damascus to Arabia he would walked the King's Highway.  We're glad we had a nice car and didn't have to walk.

Even so, it was a long,trip that took about 4 hours.  When we got hungry we pulled off to the side of the road to eat our Subways and it wasn't long before the Jordanian police came to check to see why Dad was standing outside along the highway eating his lunch.

In Petra we had great rooms at the Petra Moon Hotel, almost directly across the street from the entrance to the park.

 Waiting for Dad to check in . . .and make friends with the desk clerk

 "How long have you worked here?"

It was still early in the evening, so we went shopping in the souvenir shops down the street.

We dressed up in Arabic gear...

Got invited for "tea"...

And made friends with the shop owners.  This is Mcmoud

"How long have you worked here?"

Lemon-mint drinks with dinner.  Tasty!!

Day 1: Kevin, Jill and Kristen Arrive

On Monday, December 14 Kevin, Jill and Kristen arrived in Amman to spend a week with us.  What an exciting and happy reunion!

 Here they come!

 We can't believe they are actually here.....

We all "bunked" at the Amman Center in the two guest rooms.  Kevin and Dad stayed in one room and Mom, Kristen and Jill stayed in the other room.  Everyone was very tired.    

BYU Students

For the past few months a group of students from BYU have been in Amman for a semester of study. Several of the students have been assigned to come to Al Husn every week and help strengthen the North Jordan branch.  We have learned to love them and we appreciate all they did--teaching, giving talks, interpreting, etc.  Last week they left to go home.

 Goodbye!

We will miss you!

Our Kids Are Coming

We are so excited!  Kevin, Jill and Kristen will be here next week!!  HURRAY!!

Happy Little Girls

Our project for the girls primary school in Al Husn was approved...... 

And we were "heart attacked" by 600 little girls 

And a very very happy principal . . . as soon as we made the announcement..

 The school will receive new water dispensers and clean drinking water.....

 A new copy machine for the teachers . . . .

  20 classroom heaters - propane

 Sun-blocking window coverings for some classrooms . . .

 And a shelter for the playground.

The students in the primary school are from a poor area of Al Husn.  We hope the project will lead to a more positive image of the church here.  Even though everything is done in the name of LDS Charities, people will make the connection.  It's uncanny how much they know.

Our project for the Senior Secondary and Vocational School was also approved.

40 classroom chairs

A new laptop so the teachers can check it out from the library for classroom presentations.

New chairs for cosmetology training

15 classroom heaters

and 3 water cooler dispensers

We'll be busy!!

Winter Clothing for the Poor

 United Muslim Relief was one of the partners who helped us distribute winter clothing refugees and poor Jordanians.   

On cold days the Muslim men wear a keffiyeh on their head to keep warm.  Jamal wore his keffiyeh today because it was cold and drizzley.

Poor widows lined up to receive the clothing from LDSC and warm blankets from UMR.

Crowd control was a bit of an issue, but Jamal handled it well.  At one location we avoided any problems by quietly slipping out the back door as soon as the distribution was over.

All the recipients had been previously identified and each person received his gift individually.  The poor were treated with dignity and respect.  Many were given a hug and a Jordanian kiss (on both cheeks).

We had a few extra gifts for the women whose names weren't on the list.  

Everyone was happy

Some of the people who received winter clothing and blankets live here.....

Count your blessings.