HOLY LAND TOUR - JORDAN

JORDAN

The view of Jordan

This is Jordan. The capital of Jordan is Amman, known in the early days and in the Bible as “Rabbath Amun” taken from the name of Lot’s daughter’s sons. <- Oha.

It is the cleanest city in the middle east. The houses are all in the same color - cream or white because there, it is against the law to paint on them.

Also, it is the oldest agricultural city in the world.

^ I took down those notes from our tour guide, Ammar. 

We were checked in at a hotel called "Amman International". I'm very familiar with this place since I've been here before. It's not one of the best hotels I've been to and I certainly would not be able to last even a week there because the service and facilities aren't that good but despite all this, the hotel has a breathtaking view to offer with friendly personnel who'd gladly cater to your every need.

We visited 2 major attractions:

1. PETRA

Al Khazneh

Petra is also known as "The city built of stone". It is a city established around the 6th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans. 

But in summary, the most important thing to see in Petra is the "Al Khazneh" or in English, the "Treasury".

Though I'm pretty sure that even if I didn't give out the name, you would have recognized this structure from the famous 1989 film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

( I bet you're probably going "Ahhhhh" right now. Everyone does the first time they find out. )

Getting there is a 2 kilometer walk. ( or a carriage ride for 60 dollars but this is advised only for those who have Physical conditions ) So while you're at it, you find yourself entering this hidden city surrounded by tombs or caves carved out in sandstone and Boy, it is a beauty!

Even at my 2nd time, I was at awe standing in front of such wonder. 

Here's a photo of a small Bedouin family working for money out in the streets of Petra.

Bedouins are nomadic tribes originating from the Arabic Peninsula. You may usually find them out in the desert camped inside tents made of Sheep's skin. Though some are nice, a number of them are tricky and all about the money. So in case you run into one, be very careful!

( The treasury )

  

 2. MOUNT NEBO 

The Promised Land

In the Bible it is said that Mt. Nebo was where Moses viewed the Promised Land since God forbid Him from entering it after disobeying Him when the Lord had told him to speak to a rock ( in Wadi Musa found in Petra ) in order for water to come out for the Israelites to drink. Instead, Moses STRUCK the rock. Twice. 

Because of this, the Lord punished Moses and did not let him enter the Promised Land. But up to this day, fresh water flows from this rock through Wadi Musa, the valley of Moses.

Here's a passage from Numbers 20:

^"2 There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. ³ The people blamed Moses and said, “If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers! ⁴ Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? ⁵ Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!”

⁶ Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of theLord appeared to them, ⁷ and the Lord said to Moses, ⁸ “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.”

⁹ So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. ¹⁰ Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” ¹¹ Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.

¹² But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!” ¹³ This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means “arguing”) because there the people of Israel argued with the Lord, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them."

The Bible also states that this is where Moses had died.

Here's a passage from Deuteronomy 34:

 "Then Moses went up to Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab and climbed Pisgah Peak, which is across from Jericho. And the Lord showed him the whole land, from Gilead as far as Dan; ² all the land of Naphtali; the land of Ephraim and Manasseh; all the land of Judah, extending to the Mediterranean Sea^[a]; ³ the Negev; the Jordan Valley with Jericho—the city of palms—as far as Zoar. ⁴ Then the Lord said to Moses, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have now allowed you to see it with your own eyes, but you will not enter the land.”

⁵ So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Lord had said. ⁶ The Lord buried him^[b] in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place. ⁷ Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever."

But of course every trip is not complete without having a taste of their ice cream!

 (This one's delish! )

*photo credits to Zandro Torres and Jazz Ong ( still un-edited )