Jordan....

Well, we left Egypt and flew to Jordan. We had a driver, George who is actually a US citizen, pick Louise and I up at the airport. George would be our driver for the next couple of days. Even though he is american he was born in Jordan and had been back in Jordan the last 16 years.

First stop Pertra. What a Magnificent place. We first saw Petra at night. The Siq was lit by only luminaries, small paper bags with candles inside. All the way to The Treasury. So we walked down in darkness except for the candlight. When we got to the treasury, there were all of these candles lighting the area. They served us local tea, and played local bedouin music. It was SURREAL, what a sight. We hiked back up the Siq and to our hotel. Our hotel was maybe a 1 1/2 star! But we had seen one of the new seven wonders of the world, so really what did we expect!

The next morning we returned to the park to see Petra in a different light. Because we had a long hike a few hours before, we decided to ride horses down to the Siq and walk through the Siq to the Treasury. We then rode camels from the Treasury to the end and back to the Treasury, hiked back up the Siq, and rode horses back the park entrance. Well by this time we were exhausted! Louise and I decided to take in a local Turkish Bath. What a treat and experience! We of course had to give up ALL of our clothes...and we given a small "sheet". We were led to a very small steam room and told to stay there as long as we could stand it. The next step was to lay on a big marble slab the was extremely HOT! Shortly thereafter our"handlers" had removed their hattas, head scarves, put us on another big marble slab, and proceded to scrub us from head to toe. We were rinsed, and then given a massage with olive oil. Once we were done it was time for a beer.

George picked us up about a half hour later, it was time to drive Louise and I to the Bedouin Camp where we would stay the night.

We arrived at the Ammarin Bedouin Camp at about 5:30 pm. And checked in to our tent. LOL They were expecting about 29 campers that night. Once we put our things in our tent and familiarized ourselves with the camp, we sat around the fire with some of the bedouin men while the other campers arrived. They served us tea, which is a common custom throughout the middle east. Hospitality......... is what the Bedouin are about. We met many nice people in the camp and sat around the fire and the dinner table talking for quite awhile, including a guy from Rancho Penasquitos, Working in Isreal Go Figure.

And once again the next morning George picked us up. This time our destination was the Marriott at The Dead Sea, an appox. 2 hour drive.

The Dead Sea... Another Amazing Place! We arrived around mid day got checked in and immediately decided to put on our swim suits and go into the Dead Sea, which has so much salt content that there is nothing living in the Dead Sea. The usual process is to go down cover yourself in "dead sea mud" and the get into the water. Due to the salt content you just float! It was quite funny actually! Just across The Dead Sea you can see Jerusalem. It is quite an amazing setting!

After relaxing at the Dead Sea, the next day George picked Louise and I up and drove us 3 hours into Amman, to check into our hotel, meet up with the rest of the team, and prepare to start work the next day. The real work begins!!

The Exodus from Egypt

I am now aware at this point in my life, just how important the exodus from Egypt was. WHAT A PLACE!!!!! Well we managed to take our ride in a Feluka, which is a small boat that takes you up and down the River Nile. We got in a cab at the hotel, the doorman asked him to take us to a Feluka. The cabbie spoke no english and we spoke no arabic. After driving around for a while, he drove down a small side street, stopped by a group of men, and motioned for us to get out. I told Louise, " this is where we're going to die." A man came up and negotiated a price and said come with me. But there was no boat around that we could see! LOL We walked down past some people living under some blankets, and there was our Feluka and the NILE. We took an hour ride down the Nile it was beautiful, and then returned to our hotel to fly to Jordan the next morning.

Egypt Day Two- Shopping

Egypt Day Two- Today was the day to go shopping at the famous Khan el-Khalili in Cairo. Imagine your past experiences of shopping in Korea, Mexico waiting to cross the border, and all of the places you have ever shopped for the Holidays. Now add them all together and then multiply them times 1000. That will only begin to scratch the surface of the experience of shopping in the Khan el-Khalili market! At the end of the day I finally told Louise, I just want something to simply be marked with a price so I don't have to haggle for it! And speaking of haggling, you've never haggled for something until you've haggled with Louise! LOL

We also had the opportunity to stop by the El Fishawy Coffee House. It was amazing that we ever found it in the market, because everyone we asked gave us different directions! The El Fishawy Coffee House has been open 7 days a week, 24 hours a days for over 200 years! It is the oldest coffee house in the world, so Louise and I decided we would stop in for a cup of ...... Diet Pepsi. Go Figure!

After a long day of shopping, Louise and I are off to experience a Feluka.... a small boat that cruises down the Nile. I will let you know all about that tomorrow.....

Egypt Day One- The Pyramids

Day One : The Pyramids at Giza. Well as you can probably imagine, waking up in such a foreign land was a wee bit daunting for someone like me, however I was up for the task. But first let me tell you how we arrived in this foreign land! My flight from San Diego to Chicago was a challenge for me.... I wound up in a middle seat next to some chick who decided to continue texting until we were literally hurtling towards takeoff , those who know me, know how much this would annoy me :o) But then I met up with Louise in Chicago and the adventure started! Packed flight to Amman due to half the world being rerouted because of the volcano. An Ambien and 12 hours later and here we are. We had to change Dollars to Dinars, Buy a Visa, Stand in line to have one guy stick the Visa in the passport, and stand in another line the make that guy did it right , and then walk through the customs line! Sounds quick. huh? After this we have to find transportation, and this is where we meet our new friend Muhammad, I know, you thought his name would be Bob. So we strike up a deal with this taxi company to take us to our hotel. by the time were ready to leave we've change drivers twice. the last time is this suave 60ish gentleman who says he's the owner of the company, and to follow him. Well Louise and I get a little suspicious when we follow him into the parking lot. Long story.... He checked out, and became our personal driver and guide today and the rest of the time were in Cairo..

So Muhammed picks us up today to go to the Pyramids, to ride a camel and to go the the Egyptian National Museum. So we decide to ride camels for 3 hours around all of the pyramids.

AMAZING!!!!!!!!

Sponge Bob Pink Pants

Sponge Bob Pink Pants, who sits by my computer at work decided he would like to come along on this Middle East adventure. And seeing as he wears Pink pants in support of Breast Cancer Awareness, I granted his request. But when we got to the airport, it was then that he told me he was afraid to fly.... Go figure! The Adventure Begins.....

The Start of My Middle East Journey

Follow my 3 week journey, starting April 18, 2010. Stay tuned for the adventure!