Traveling Through Jordan- Not So Israeli
Last weekend I did something most Israelis don’t do: I went touring around Jordan.. On one hand it was not a major effort. I just took one day off of work, as I have done many times in the past to go hiking in the Golan or down south to the Negev. On the other hand, I was in a foreign country being a tourist and felt like I was on a major vacation.
It was an amazing trip. In 3 days I saw the key hotspots: Jerash, Amman, Petra and Wadi Rum. I was most struck by how similar the countryside is to Israel’s. The northern part of the country looks much like the Galilee, except with only Arab villages and no Jewish settlements. Driving south into the desert was like driving in the Negev, except with road signs only in Arabic and English and with the occasional checkpoint.
Seeing Petra was definitely a highlight. Besides the Treasury, which is its most famous structure (think Indiana Jones), there were other buildings and tombs that were carved out of the rock. If you explore in the caves you can see a swirl of vibrant reds, blues, yellows and purple mixed into the rock. The desert in the south in Wadi Rum was also beautiful. I went hiking through the canyon named after Lawrence of Arabia as the Bedouin guide recounted his story. In Amman I was surprised by how built up and Americanized it has become. There are tons of American chain restaurants besides just McDonalds and burger king. Since the war in Iraq began, many people (both diplomats and wealthy Iraqis) have used Amman as a rest spot and safe-haven from the turmoil. Jerash is a built up and well preserved Roman city. While I am not in love with ruins, this place certainly was impressive.
One of the most amusing parts of this mini vacation was the Israelis reaction at the borders when they learned we were going to travel in Jordan. Both crossing in Beit Shean and in Aqaba (Eilat), they could not believe that we were traveling in Jordan and not just traveling to Amman to fly east. Often times Israelis fly out of Jordan because it is both cheaper and faster, since you can fly over Arab lands. One could fly from Tel Aviv but it is cheaper to drive to Amman.
My trip was short, too short, but as my neighbor I know that I can go back whenever I like.
It was an amazing trip. In 3 days I saw the key hotspots: Jerash, Amman, Petra and Wadi Rum. I was most struck by how similar the countryside is to Israel’s. The northern part of the country looks much like the Galilee, except with only Arab villages and no Jewish settlements. Driving south into the desert was like driving in the Negev, except with road signs only in Arabic and English and with the occasional checkpoint.
Seeing Petra was definitely a highlight. Besides the Treasury, which is its most famous structure (think Indiana Jones), there were other buildings and tombs that were carved out of the rock. If you explore in the caves you can see a swirl of vibrant reds, blues, yellows and purple mixed into the rock. The desert in the south in Wadi Rum was also beautiful. I went hiking through the canyon named after Lawrence of Arabia as the Bedouin guide recounted his story. In Amman I was surprised by how built up and Americanized it has become. There are tons of American chain restaurants besides just McDonalds and burger king. Since the war in Iraq began, many people (both diplomats and wealthy Iraqis) have used Amman as a rest spot and safe-haven from the turmoil. Jerash is a built up and well preserved Roman city. While I am not in love with ruins, this place certainly was impressive.
One of the most amusing parts of this mini vacation was the Israelis reaction at the borders when they learned we were going to travel in Jordan. Both crossing in Beit Shean and in Aqaba (Eilat), they could not believe that we were traveling in Jordan and not just traveling to Amman to fly east. Often times Israelis fly out of Jordan because it is both cheaper and faster, since you can fly over Arab lands. One could fly from Tel Aviv but it is cheaper to drive to Amman.
My trip was short, too short, but as my neighbor I know that I can go back whenever I like.
posted by Leora @ 10:22 AM
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