Today was the start of our trek home. Yesterday we hung out in Amman, Jordan all day so that we wouldnt have to wake up early to catch a bus to the airport. We flew from Amman to Dubai and had about 11hrs here in Dubai. We actually left the airport and went out into the city for awhile. We got to see the world's tallest building and the Dubai skyline. It is pretty amazing considering there was NOTHING here about 15 yrs ago yet now giant aquariums, golf courses, new island chains in shape of palm trees and the world's [View Full Entry]

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I am spending this weekend with a friend in Amman. Hisham Abuzaid Lives on the outside of the capital. He has proved to be a very good tour guide of the city. His family is also wonderful at cooking. Tonight we are suppose to have more mansif with lamb! Last night we had Muhea (Sp?). It is like a spinich soup that u then put onto rice. You also mix in a little chicken and it becomes delicious. The night entertainment inculded meeting some of his friends and going to see the movie GI Joe. It was an okay film. Afterwards, [View Full Entry]

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The final stay in Egypt was in the city of Alexandria. This city was founded by Alexander the Great a long time ago. It has a ton of history and culture. It also has a lot of trash cleaning crews since it is a major tourist destination. Our hotel, The Plaza, provided an wonderful view into the Mediterranean. It also was just a quick cab ride to the old citadel. The citadel over looks the main harbour that was designed by Alexander the Great. The Great Light House has sadly burned down, so we were unable to see it. However, we [View Full Entry]

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I've gotten to see the Pyramids!!!! I think I can now die in peace. They were some pretty big and interesting buildings. I was actually able to get a ticket and crawl into the inner chamber of the 2nd great pyramids. The Sphinx was cool too. However, it actually seemed smaller then what I thought it would be. However, I was glad that I still got to see the cat/man creature. I need to get back on point. I was too distracted by those Pyramids! Our Hotel, The Nile Hotel, was pretty swanky. It overlooked the Nile River and the Egpytian [View Full Entry]

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Aqaba was the final major location along the trip. It is a resort town that is also a tax free area! This is supposed to mean that things are super super cheap here. However, all the meals and such still cost more than they would in Irbid. The area proved to be a very relaxing place just chill. We went to a resort area, The Royal Diving Club, to swim and snorkel. Along this area is a natural reef, which is actually pretty beautiful. Even though the land is lifeless except for tourists and bracelet sellers, the seas teamed with life. [View Full Entry]

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This past weekend marked a lot of travel. The first main stop was at the old ruins of Petra. This is an ancient city that is carved into the sides of a valley. Think of the Grand Canyon minus any water and with buildings in the walls. The people who lived here must have had a whole lot of time on their hands as they were able to devote so much time to making these various structures. The different "caves" were thought to be public buildings but are now thought to be tombs. It seems that the powerful people really do [View Full Entry]

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The next stop on the weekend tour was Wadi Rum. I left Petra with an ingrained image of man ability to manipulate nature and make a niche. I also left with a hell of sun burn that still requires hourly-ish gallops of aloe. I feel like a lizard shedding my skin. Anyways, Wadi Rum proved to be almost the opposite of Petra. It is a barren waste land sorta of place. It leaves you wondering why people would ever what to live in such a place. The result is that there isn’t really anyone who lives here but bracelet sellers. These [View Full Entry]

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So I thought my hair was getting way too long while I was here. It just was hot and all. So a friend and I went off to get a hair cut here in Jordan. Seems that a finely tuned hair line and lots of gel is the current fashion. Enjoy the pics. Tonight, I am heading off to have Mansaf at a new friend's house. He has been preparing the meal all day and even skipped school to make it. It should be interesting. [View Full Entry]

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The day trip on Sunday was not as adventurous as the day before. The day was devoted to visiting old desert castles. It was neat to see the desert; it is a very desolate place. The castles themselves where not truly castles except for one. The first was an old retreat for the princes in like the 7th century. It was even equipped with a bath area with heated water. The main feature of the place is its murals on the walls. Some how they have survived through the ages there in the desert. Considering the number of visitors who carve [View Full Entry]

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Yet another weekend down. We made two day trips. In my opinion, the first trip on Friday was by far the best. We made a trip along the western border that ended with a stay at the Dead Sea. The first place on the itinerary was a stop at a town called Madaba. It has one of the largest Christian populations in the country. It is famous for its mosaics. Their crown jewel is this old map of the middle east area. The other big event in the town was a shared lunch I had with two other UofR kids over [View Full Entry]

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