Andiamo: 4/25–Leaving Petra, Lunch and the ride back

As we trudged our way back uphill (all uphill), we realized we really should plan a trip back here again. We didn’t even make it halfway through the complex before we needed to return to the van for lunch and our long ride to the ship. And there was so much more to see – the Colonnaded street, the Great Temple, the Winged Lion Temple and the Monastery set way atop one of the mountains. This is easily a full day visit – or maybe even two depending. But , we are extremely excited we were able to see at least this much of the city, and are incredibly thankful that we had, bare none, the best guide ever. Not faint praise either, since we’ve had a lot of guides.

As we made our way back the way we came, the changing light cast shadows and colors across the stones that were totally different now than just minutes before. We continued to snap our way up and out of the monuments…

…and the Siq…

…until we were finally at the horse riding point. We had decided to ride the horses the last stretch of the way because Ed’s hip was not being cooperative. In the long run, it was probably worse for him sitting up on that horse than walking, but at the time, we didn’t think it would be bad. So, schooled in tipping by Adhib (tip them 5), I hopped on my horse and Ed gingerly mounted his.

Fortunately we ended up with the correct horses – Ed’s was a very slow nag with a talkative guide/handler who walked him the entire way up.

I, on the other hand, had a younger much more disinterested handler who talked on his cell phone, didn’t pay any attention to me and kept trying to make my horse go faster. I think he was trying to frighten me or something, but hey, I love horses, and except for the fact that my horse had a little suicide bent to her – constantly veering into the oncoming lane of Killer Karriage and other horseback rider traffic. As is obvious from the picture…I was going it alone.

Even at the end of the ride, the guy just stopped the horse and said “this is the end.” Didn’t take me to the wall to let me step off the horse or anything – ok, buddy, no big deal, I can dismount – and I did. Then I gave him $5 for a tip – which didn’t make him happy. He said that was for him, what about the horse. To which I replied, “that’s enough for both of you.” He argued and argued and finally said it was “total bullshit,” which I have been repeating in his accent ever since! Oh well.

We regrouped with our tour pals and found the van, then headed off to lunch. Because of the crowds at Petra today, our tour organizer made plans for us to eat outside of Petra proper, instead of where everyone else would be going. And the place they chose was inspirational: The Petra College for Tourism and Archeology. There were only 40 of us there (4 vans) and it was stupendous. We first stopped in the courtyard for a talk from the director about the archeology of Petra and some of the specimens and artifacts he has found.

Then we went inside to a buffet lunch prepared by all the student chefs and assisted by the student wait staff.

There was a ton of food – vegetables, sauces, dips and then there was Maqluba – a traditional Arabic dish (the translation of which means upside down). It was this fantastic mix of rice, vegetables (delicious little roasted cauliflower florets) with chicken thighs on top – outstanding. And fantastically yummy dessert cookies that kept me on a sugar high the entire 2 1/2 hour ride back to the ship!

We were the very first to ever visit the school for a meal. It was out of this world, and perfectly capped off an excellent day here in Jordan.

The van ride back was uneventful, except for the changing scenery and the changing colors and light. It’s like a huge never ending Grand Canyon with endless views in every direction. The 2 1/2 hours went by quickly as we stared out the window of the van, snapping way too many photos along the way.