Petra

Petra, the ancient Nabatean city, is a highlight of Jordan and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.  Wandering through the 1.2 km Siq, a narrow slot canyon, and stepping out from the shaded vertical walls to view the intricately detailed Treasury carved out of sandstone is on par with standing above Machu Picchu and witnessing the clouds crack open to reveal the ancient Inca ruins.  It is a moment when time travel would be a killer move.  What was life in these ancient locations back in their heyday?  Oh man, we are still waiting for the delivery of our time traveling capsule to find out. 

 We spent three full days hiking most every trail of the expansive Petra ruins, which cover many miles.  Tombs, monuments, religious sites, temples, palaces, homes, cisterns, water channels, a theater, and so many other features are crafted out of the craggy sandstone rock faces and cliffs.  Walking among the rocks, we often felt we discovered a new important archeological find, as some ruins reveal themselves around sneaky corners or abandoned overlooks. Interestingly, some Bedouin still live nearby in the stone homes tending to goats and sheep, as well as selling souvenirs and camel and donkey rides to tourist.  The mix of tourists and Bedouin made for an exciting day of history, culture, and straight up people watching.  After a stroll back out of the Siq, we finished each day with a well-earned ice cream bar and followed it with mezze (hummus, mutable, olives, falafel, fattoush, and fresh bread baked in a clay oven) at our favorite restaurant.  Without question, Petra easily earns the designation as one of the new “Seven Wonders of the World”.