Camel

Camels are almost a daily occurrence living here in the Middle East. This camel I found quite funny, however. It was laying on its side with its head twisted around to lay flat on the sand.

Desert Trekking in Wadi Rum

After leaving Petra, we headed for Aqaba which is at the mouth of the Red Sea. On the way, we did a little desert trekking. A so-called "Jeep" ride was really a ride in the back of a small white pickup truck.


We started this trekking from a Bedouin camp that is set up like a desert hotel.

Marie and our trekking driver.

We stopped at another Bedouin camp. Here they had a picture of Lawrence of Arabia carved into the large stone at the front of their came.

Mick and our taxi driver - Maher.

Petra

For a long time, we have wanted to visit Petra in Jordan. We have been able to visit another Nabetean site in Saudi Arabia and it was interesting to see this site.

A picture of the hotel we stayed at. It overlooked the wadi where Petra is located. As you can see, it is on multiple levels and all rooms had a view.

We were not the only ones at Petra this day. The president of Turkey was also there. He, however, had 14 black cars in his entourage. We got to walk - other than a horse ride down part way into the first canyon.

Some of the homes and tombs found in the village of Petra. Remind you of Mesa Verde?

This is the canyon you come through to get to Petra - looking back at it from the Treasury.

The Treasury. No, Indiana Jones was not found here nor the goblet.

Another Day in Jerusalem

Some scenes around Jerusalem.

Several Bar Mitzahs were taking place at the Western Wall. This look like a grandfather, older son helping the younger son. The father (not in this picture) also looked like he was having his Bar Mitzah.

From the old . . .

To the new.

Yes - Mick got me into another tunnel.
This is the Canaanite Tunnel - by Hezekiel's tunnel, but without the water.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Mick - also in the Canaanite Tunnel.

Jerusalem - November 2009

On the road again - We had to take a short bus ride across the Allenby Bridge to cross from Jordan into Israel. Mick with our traveling companions, Richard & Wendy A.

Mick and Marie at the "Mormon University" in Jerusalem.

Pomegranates are in season. They will juice them on the spot for you. This vendor is just outside of Lazarus' Tomb in Bethany. It was delicious, but expensive - $3.00 per glass! (Do you think he saw "Tourist = $"???

Mick and Marie at the entrance to the Garden Tomb. This is one of our most favorite spots in this land.


The biggest change in this country since we were here in 2000 is the wall that has been built between the Israelis and the Palestinians. It is very reminiscent of the Berlin Wall. This wall is cement and in most places is 8 meters tall. Places that we could have walked to before, now require a 30 minute + ride around it. It has severely impacted the economy of the Palestinian side, i.e., in Bethlehem they used to have over 5,000 visitors a day at the Church of the Nativity. Today they are lucky to have 200 visitors a day.



Signs are posted where the Israelis are not allowed into Palestinian territory.

View through the windshield of our taxi taking us to Bethlehem. Here the wall is not only 8 meters tall, but notice the top is another 8 meters overhanging the wall.

Packing Out

Weds morning the packers came to pack what we are shipping home to the States.

We had to separate what we are taking with us from what we are shipping and leaving behind.

Our shipment consisted of 4 large boxes.

Yes, it takes 3 guys to tape 1 box.

As they would bring the boxes out, they would weigh them. Mick and I had a wager on how much total weight there would be. Mick: 250 kg; Marie: 300 kg.
We split as the total weight came to 277 kg!

I also figure that 2/3's to 3/4's of what we are shipping home is my sewing.
Oh, well, it kept me happy.

It's Official

It's now official. Mick will not be renewing his contract here and we will be returning to the States. I have trouble saying we are returning home as this has been our home for the past 10 years.

The good news is: We have done this before.
The bad new is: We have done this before.

We will be leaving the Magic Kingdom somewhere between 15 - 20 Nov and proceed to take our time. We plan on spending time here in the Middle East - a couple of weeks in Israel, then Jordan, then Egypt. From there we will fly into Kentucky to visit with David & Tami. We will then drive from Kentucky to the west coast with no pre-planned itinerary.