Riding a Donkey On My Way To Bethlehem....

---

Hello Everyone! Since writing last I left Aqaba in Jordan and went to Petra which was amazing. It was too much to take in for just one day so I decided to stay four days instead. The old city (dating back to 3rd Century BC) had huge tombs and monastries in great condition and I also enjoyed walking up mountains and through the valleys. I met lovely local Bedouin people who live in the caves carved in the mountains. For example on my first day I met Ali, who gave me free bread and sardines for lunch which was great as I had just been eating stale bread on the previous days as the food is expensive unlike in Egypt. I then went with him to feed his goats and had tea with his family in one of the caves. The next day I met his brother Hallam who was also lovely and had lots more free tea. On my last day there I managed to get a free tradtional dinner with Ali's friend in a cave, cooked on an open fire. It was great fun. I also managed to get a free donkey ride there and back which was good too.

I left Petra with Igor, a spanish man from my dorm room, and we went to Amman. We saw the ancient Roman sights on the same day and the theatre was the most impressive. The weather was so cold here, especially at night. It was so cold that even four thick duvets didnt do the trick.

I then decided to head to Israel the next morning but when finally getting to the bridge crossing - the police said it was closed. I didnt want to head back to Amman and so I asked if I could just sit there and they didn't really want me to. Luckily a man from a local shop said I could stay with his family and it was heaven. His wife Noah was really nice and their 2 year old son Hallam was even sweeter. I had fun playing with him most of the time and seeing her extended family when they came over. She made a big spread of food too which was great. I also had fun sharing the family bed with them ALL.

Today I crossed the border only to be badly interrogated on the other side, unlike all the other tourists. I was asked why I didnt have a guidebook/israel money/why I was alone and why my bag is so small!! Which I guess is fair enough. Anyway I finally got through and got to Jerusalem. I spent the day walking through the quaint old city and seeing lots and lots of churches, synagogues and mosques on important relgious sites (like where Jesus was condemmed to death/burried and resurrected). I find that I am not getting hassled/stared at as much here which is a really nice change and the hostel provides free dinner and internet which is great! I hope to visit Bethlehem and the Dead Sea over the next few days before heading back to Cairo.

If you weren't too impressed with the picture of the back of the camel on the last blog, I hope the side of the donkey this time is better! And unfortunately the bush in the last blog wasnt 'the' burning bush, but Ill be happy to show you the thousands of photos I took of it when i return.

---

Comments

[The Benjies]

Wow!
You are so amazing Bobby!!!!

[Daddykins]

Jeeesus
Well, no one can say you're not adventurous or take few risks in life!!! I think you're giving us all heart attacks over here. I'm looking forward to the ssing where you end up sleeping in Behtlehem if there's no room at the expensive inn? GREAT pics again. See you next week. Dad

[mumsy]

small bag
I think it must have been the red spotty hanky on the stick that caused you the problems at the border wasn't it? :-) mumsy xxxx

[The Benjies]

Family History
We are all finding out about family history whilst you are away and you have lots of surprises when you get back ..............