Petra, Jordan

Petra, Jordan

     No place I've ever traveled is quite as breathtaking as Petra. Amidst the Wadi Rum desert, and tucked away between sandstone walls towering above the sight of the sky, this world wonder is astounding. The sheer size of Petra is so massive it's hard to look up and see it in its entirety. The Monastery is a huge monument carved from sandstone at the topmost part of the site. I've included a picture at the bottom of the page so you can see just how big the monument is compared to the size of my body (it's almost quite comical how little I am compared to it.) My boyfriend and I went to Petra on a tour through Abraham Hostel. At this time it is not advised to visit Jordan alone, but not only that, it is almost impossible to get a visa into Jordan unless you are part of a tour group at the current time. I found the people of Jordan to be welcoming, friendly, and generous.
     I would highly recommend this two day trip I took with Abraham Hostel. The entire trip to Petra for both my boyfriend and myself was about 1500 shekels, which was about 340 dollars US per person. This does not cover the cost of crossing the border into Petra and the fee for getting back into Israel. I felt completely safe in Jordan for the entirety of my visit. The cost for this trip is nothing compared to how spectacular I felt Petra to be. If you are not familiar with Petra, or have never heard of this wonder of the world, I would refer you to what our guide and most people are familiar with; Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. They filmed this movie and numerous others at Petra. Although somewhat commercialized from the tourist who visit the park on a daily basis. We found Petra to be almost empty. Our tour guide said that foot traffic in and out of the country has slowed to almost a halt. With Jordan being neighbor to Syria, and the struggles with ISIS going on around the surrounding countries, Jordan has seen 60-80% cancellation within the past two years. This is bad for Jordanian economy, but good for a visit to Petra if you were looking to go. We were virtually the only people in the park, which made the experience all that more special. Last year my boyfriend and I were lucky enough to go to Machu Picchu in Peru, but in my opinion this was so much better than that. Not only because I felt the monuments were so well preserved and stunning, but because there was only a fraction of the people in Petra compared to Machu Picchu. If you are looking to go on your next trip, I would recommend Petra over Peru, that is if you are not afraid to take a little risk. The trip felt more special and personal.
     The treasury which you'll see in the first picture I've posted, is the most famous of the archaeological finds within the city. The Monastery which I've posted second is less famous, but much larger and more astounding and dramatic. But to see the Monastery takes a great deal of work. Unlike The Treasury, which is the first sight you see once you hike down into the park, The Monestary is a very laborious hike consisting of eight hundred steps. This doesn't sound like a lot, but trust me it's a doozy. I thought this hike would never end. The route you take just keeps going straight up, and up, and up . . . and up. If you are into hiking however, it's not that bad. Seeing one of the most incredible sights I've ever laid eyes on, makes the hike totally worth the exertion it takes. It's stunning. Better than anything you could imagine.
      Bring lots of water. I mean lots. You can't drink the water in Jordan, but there are plenty of places just outside the site that sell water bottles for 1 Dinar. The site was empty when we climbed those last steps. Deserted. What a magical site to see. I can understand why it's on so many people's lists as a place you have to see before you die. Until you go you won't know what I'm talking about. So go now. What are you waiting for? Invite me along if you'd like.

Love

S

I'm in this picture? Can you spot me? It's like where's waldo. haha. 

Israel, Jerusalem.

     Real life biblical history comes to life right before your eyes in Jerusalem. Words are indescribable as to how one feels while walking through the Old City and walking into their literal faith history. As a christian and God fearing woman, it wasn't just the christian faith that hit me so hard, but the unwavering faith of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities. There is in fact so much prayer taking place in this city, even if you do not feel the Holy Spirit or are moved by some higher force in the universe, it bring you to your knees at just how much you want to pray and be a part of it all. The energy within the city walls is an electric moving force. To say that this has nothing to do with how much prayer is taking place, would be a gross understatement. In my opinion the reasons I felt the way I did within the walls of the Old City was because of how sacred people take this place, and just how serious and devout their life to the Creator is. The bible isn't just words here. The bible is living, breathing texts, that flow out of people's mouth and into the living word of God.

     To see the faith that I read about in the bible on a daily basis, and to feel the sermons I've witnessed the past ten years of my life coming into sight, was unfathomable. As a christian woman I saw stories within a book not just stand in my imagination any longer, but come to life right before my eyes. The only thing I can akin this feeling to, is if anyone has read the Harry Potter book series and then physically gone to see the theme park in Orlando Florida. It's much more epic than this, but you get the basic idea. Participating and seeing where Jesus had lived and resided during parts of his life is quite a powerful awakening. 

       I felt overwhelming sense of happiness, elation, complete and utter despair, joy, sadness, contentment, nervousness, shame, and so many more emotions all at the same time. The magnitude of these feelings felt amplified to a great extent. To pray with others who so strongly believe brought out my utter assurance of God existence. My prayers seemed more pure and less selfish. Less clouded and distracted, more unified and precise. As a person who prays often, although I don't think I pray enough, I often find myself starting prayers in my everyday life and then another thought pops in and I disengage from the prayer and have to remind myself to focus. Not here. Not in the city. Especially not at the Wailing Wall.   

      Out of all my experiences with God throughout my life, this had to be the most moving. There is a substantial amount of woman and men praying at this wall. There is no way to describe just how I felt here. Instead I will describe the sensation on my fingertips when I approached the wall and touched the the stones with my own hands. The energy that shot down my arm was beautiful. 

     The entire experience calls to mind the phrase "Seeing is believing." In this city the exact opposite is true. You don't have to see Him to believe. He's in every person at that wall. 

     I know not everyone who reads this is christian, or even believes in God, but if ever you wanted to see him, maybe even just get to know him, I suggest a visit to Jerusalem. Even if you don't stumble into something extraordinary as I or others did/do on a daily basis, you just might be surprised at just how convoluted the feelings are. You might see something i never did. You might see something in yourself. As I wrote in every single postcard to my family back home, pack your bags now. Leave for Jerusalem and the Holy City immediately. It's the best place I've ever visited. God is great. God is good. God is alive.

Love

S