Full Article:
Jordan is one of the most culturally rich and magnificent places to visit in the entire world. The breadth of civilization and depth of history is overwhelming: from the Nabateans to the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Umayyads to the Ottomans, the history truly humbles one's knowledge of ancient cultures and traditions. The visitor immediately recognizes the graciousness of the people, who represent a crossroads of cultures: there is a mixture of Palestinian, Chechen, Turkmen, Circassian, and Druze. The one word that best describes this country is tolerance.... and a celebration of cultural diversity. This is reflected in their artwork and cuisine.
The stranger is always offered tea as a gesture of respect and heartfelt welcome - a tradition that dates back to caravan times when traveling across the desert - always the first sign of respect and trust with new people. Even after traveling on deserted roads for hours, I was surprised to see a "tea station" with a little man sitting in the hot desert sun, serving tea to the weary or thirsty traveler!
You will love the mezze style of eating - small plates wherein you can sample multiple tastes at once! This is where many westerners are introduced to hummus and today easily found in US grocery stores as a staple for many! Very healthy!
Jerash is a roman ancient city that is a must to see when visiting Jordan. It is just a few hours outside of Amman. Your tour guide is generally an English speaking cab driver who is educated and knows his history and will gladly take you on a personal tour. Official guide "buses" are set up in advance for a group, so if you are on your own, the cabbie turned guide master is the best option. When you stroll through the magnificent ruins in Jerash, be sure to visit the Roman theatre where you can personally re-enact the acoustic skill of these Roman architects. No matter where you are standing, all will hear whatever you say!
The Nabataean city of Petra of course is the mother lode of sites to visit while in Jordan. An UNESCO World Heritage City, you must plan more than a one day visit to give justice to the archaeological remains as well as to the magnificent sunsets and sunrises against the red sandstone canyons. The Nabataeans were an ancient civilization who carved their genius into the sandstone 2600 years ago. They carved a sophisticated water transport system out of canyons and valleys which made their city a key caravan stopover. Petra and the Wadi Musa (Moses Valley) archeological sites are at the top of the list "1000 places to visit before I die."
Enjoy!
June 18, 2023
