***NOTE: This is going to be a long one people...skimming is allowed, especially if you bore easily :))


My words, my photos will neither do justice nor live up to the experience that is Petra. An ancient city more than 2000 years old, Petra was the capital of the Nabataean Empire and was later annexed to the Roman Empire where it remained a thriving city until much of it was destroyed by a large earthquake in 363 AD. In 1812, it was "rediscovered" by a Swiss explorer, and in 2007 was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

We got up before the sun and headed down to get tickets and enter the site. Walking through the Siq (the narrow gorge that leads to Petra, formed by the splitting of the mountain) before daybreak and emerging onto the Treasury of Petra was a moment so surreal that all we could do was grin and stare. Besides the three of us, there were maybe five or six other people, and to be almost completely alone like that with one of the 7 Wonders of the World was beyond comprehension. We were officially at Petra.

After marveling at the Treasury for a bit, we headed off to walk down the Street of Facades, past the Royal Tombs, and the Great Temple. After about an hour, we started up the 2 hour 800 step climb to the Monastery. It was a long, hot, sweaty, dusty climb, but the view at the top made it all worth it. Standing in front of the impressive 51 meter tall Monastery of Petra made you feel like a tiny, insignificant creature. We hung out there awhile and met an Australian dude who claimed to be a witch doctor (true story), and also claimed to have climbed Everest (turned out he meant Everest Base Camp). Then Chrissy and Steph had the genius idea to attempt to climb up the Monastery for a photo op. Of course, I had to put in my two cents - guys, I don't think this is a good idea. I was ignored. Enter a 60ish lady from Pennsylvania who quickly said "hey that looks like a stellar idea - let me help you."  And she did. With her help, we all scaled the 8 or so feet of sheer rock into the Monastery for a pretty killer photo op. After not so gracefully getting down - btw, it never occurred to anyone prior to getting up just how we were going to get down - we started chatting with her. She was retired, no kids, traveling the world alone. Holy crap, she is me in 30 years.

We then kept climbing up a path promising us the "better than the best views". At the top we found, not only some fabulous views of the Monastery and surrounding mountains, but also a guy in a tent offering the tourists hot tea and playing the guitar for them. He was chilling with the Australian witch doctor dude, and we sat down to join. He made us a cup of hot tea (surprisingly refreshing), and entertained us with songs and conversation. A cool breeze blew through the tent, and all I could think was - we are sitting on a mountain top in Petra Jordan, in a tent with a guy playing guitar and sipping hot tea. Right then, the moment, the experience, became real. And it was an amazing, simple, pure moment. And I will always remember it. Also, he had a super cool dog named Wart who ate all of Steph's snacks.

And that's pretty much as good as it was ever going to get. Back at the hotel tired, sweaty, and oh so dusty, Chrissy headed for a nap, while Steph and I headed for the pool. The water was absolutely freaking frigid. But, let's be honest, I have never been able to pass up a pool, especially one on a rooftop in Jordan. And besides, I've got Ohio blood in me :))

We ate dinner also on the rooftop under the stars and headed off to bed relaxed, full, and extremely content with an extraordinary day.