Beyond The Rose City!
Visiting Petra
has been on so many peoples bucket list ever since watching Indiana Johns
movies as kids. Petra is Jordan ’s most
epic and popular attraction. While the impressive site gives an important look
into the country’s history, it’s also important to realize that Petra has more to offer
than just beautiful carved architecture and scenery. In fact, a visit to Petra has many other
worthwhile offerings suitable for all kinds of travelers. Here are some tips to
guide you threw our rosy city:
A Coca Cola Drinking Camel!
There are many ways to get to the Treasury but
we found that walking the whole way the way the ancients did was most
purposeful. You will however be assailed by camel drivers, horses, carriages
and other means of transportation who are all too willing to part you from a
few dinars. Look for the coca-cola drinking camel. He is quit humorous, if you
are traveling with kids they would find it entertaining. Take lots of water
because it gets very hot. There are shady places to sit on the way still ware a
large hat and plenty of sunscreen.
Cooking In Petra
The travels whom love food and learning recipes
will appreciate the cooking school in the town of Petra . It's called Petra Kitchen and a fun
evening activity it would be. As they say on their site, 'Each evening meal
includes soup, cold and hot mezza, salads, and a main course—all typical
Jordanian dishes from Baba Ganoug to Jordanian meat pizza. You will get an
inside glimpse of the secrets behind the famous regional cuisine of the Levant . The regular price of JD 30 per person includes
the cuisine course, meal and all non-alcoholic beverages as well.
Wear You Walking Shoes
From experience we recommend wearing sturdy
walking shoes completely covering your feet. The rocky Siq (long path into the
city) is very uneven with lots of old flat rocks. The city itself is a mixture
of sand, grit and very high steps especially to the temples or king's tombs,
and a long walk to the Monastery. Reddish dirt everywhere. So don't wear black.
Khakis, grey and blues are fine.
Married to a Bedouin
In Petra you can
visit Marguerite van Geldermalsen, the New Zealand women who married a
Bedouin man. The guides will point out her stall to you; she sells lovely
silver jewelery made by the Queen Noor Women's Foundation and some pieces by
local women. Marguerite wrote a very interesting book about her experience
living in Petra
called ('Married to a Bedouin' published by Virago). You can find it in most
libraries in Jordan .
It would be quite special to actually
meet her and see where she lives now. Marguerite also does guided tours if
people contact her in advance. We guaranty that that is one tour in Jordan
you won't forget! .
Carry Money For Tips
Jordanian people are quit friendly, accommodating,
and pretty laid back, except for in Petra .
Petra is
a Disneyworld of sorts, a crowded tourist
destination, where tips are expected if you ride a donkey 20 feet with a person
leading the donkey, even though this has already been paid for in your tour
price. So, be sure to take small denominations of Jordanian money for tips in Petra , as they will ask
you for a tip, regardless of the service offered. This happens nowhere except Petra . Be sure also to
purchase your drinking water other than at the hotels as they can charge up to
$5.00 USD for a bottle of water.
Having said that, Petra is something to behold. It is awesome,
and to think this was a planned city that was carved thousands of years ago.
For an alternative stay in an ancient cave in Petra or a rustic camp check out(www.gweet.com).
Things to learn before you go!
The Arab words minfadluk and shukran
work wonders throughout Jordan .
They simply mean please and thank-you. Use them often..
A Jordanian staple is tea, called shai
in Arabic. The best kind is what the Bedouin brew over a hot fire in a
blackened kettle --it's deliciously sweet and served with fresh mint. Usually
served in palm-
sized glasses without handles. It's an acquired talent to hand
onto it without burning your fingertips.
When to go:
usually they advise spring for Petra and Wadi
Rum but for many Petra
visitors the time of day may be more important than the time of year. Light
early and late in the day creates the most colorful effects on Petra ’s ubiquitous stones, perfect for taking
beautiful photos with your camera.
Beyond The Rose City!
Reviewed by Unknown
on
05:12
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