Jordan, a Holy and friendly place

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Jordan is amazing. I've been out of touch the last few days, running around the country. I found myself in a bedouin camp (tourist friendly of course), and now while im the airport waiting for a flight to cairo, I have time to reflect on the past couple of days.
I've seen more roman ruins, with better access to them, here in Jordan. In Jeresh, an ancient city, we walked through a huge complex of ruins, noting these magnificent columns, huge amphitheater (everywhere Rome went, they created these huge theaters it appears), and the tracks of wheel carts from time gone by set in the stone. Quite magnificent. Castles litter the country side and are fun to walk through. Jordan was an important place in regards to religion and trade, and ruins from the crusades and the Roman presence in all Jordanian historical sites attests to that fact. One site I sort of just lucked into going to is Bethany beyond the Jordan. This is the site where it is believed John the Baptist baptized Jesus. The Jordan is a green color, not more than 10 meters wide, lined with reeds and filled with tadpoles. Jordan is on one side and Israel is on the other. Armed guards are quite discreet, but you know that they are there and they mean business. Different religions are now in the process of building churches around the site, that whole proximity thing I guess. A Greek orthodox church stands the closest, holding the bones of an old priest for those who love those sorts of things like I do. The dead sea is beautiful, exceeding expectations. Time constraints didn't allow me to pop in, but what a site. The shore is lined white, with a millennia or two or three of salt and evaporation having created a pure, clean looking shore line. Along the side of the road you will find Lot's wife. Remember her? She looked back when she shouldn't have, and turned into a pillar of salt. There is no sign, so without our trusted driver we would have missed it. So much to see, I'm missing a few things here and will address Petra later as it deserves it's own page. I've seen the border of Syria, and tried to contemplate the mechanics of a country that is composed of 60 - 70% refugees. Palestinians, Syrians, people of all over have come here and I can see why. The people are truly friendly here, a kindness that is innate, not forced. Which reminds me of the Bedouin culture of which I'm experiencing now. The camp was lined with basic tents, privies, a kitchen and a rounded cement gathering place for after dinner when you need to talk, to sing and to dance with your new found friends. Bedouin's have a long history of being serious about hosting a nd I'm not sure if you will find a people more accommodating. Very kind, whatever you need, they will help you with. At night the desert cooled down and we had power for a couple of hours, to recharge our camera batteries. I found happiness in this place with no electricity, a tent, kind people; it's a good place to be.

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