Petra

Right now all of Petra is filled with lots of noise -- screaming, honking, fireworks, firecrackers (I hope)-- because there are at least four weddings going on tonight. According to the woman who works at the reception of our hostel, the Petra Gate Hotel, this is a normal, nightly occurrece. This, coupled with the regular call to prayer from the Mosques around the hotel (there are several) are a nice reminder that real people actually live here, despite the fact the town is almost entirely sustained by the tourism industry.

Zach and I got here yesteday afternoon. After a five-hour bus ride from Tel Aviv to Eilat (perhaps it would have been four if we hadn't stopped at every passing rest stop? haha) we crossed the border into Jordan on foot and took a taxi to Aqaba, and another to Petra (haha and, as expected, paid way more than we should have...). Our cab driver took us to this hotel, a cheap but nice place about ten minutes up the hill from the gates of Petra. The owner and staff are very knowledgable and helpful.

Yesterday we explored little Petra, a small Nabatean site carved into rocks just like the more famous, "Big" Petra. It was really exciting, but nothing compared to today, when we climbed all over Petra. I can't do either place justice in words, so I will post pictures as soon as I get back to Safi on Sunday.

Love!
h