After leaving Egypt on Angry Friday, the Cooper clan headed to Jordan. We got to Amman to find the Cairo airport had closed behind us and the city had exploded into riots. But the tour went on, even though we would later learn there were also protests in Amman and a few days later the King would dismiss the Jordanian government. The King appoints the Prime Minister and it is illegal to speak against the King, who is young, American educated, and a thrill seeking junkie. So while people were protesting the government, we also heard many supportive comments of the King who seems well liked despite what might seem the contrary.
If you have a list of places to visit before you die, move Petra somewhere up near the top. It is incredible. Indiana Jones hardly does it justice. The one well known carved rock facade is only the beginning. In order to explore as much as possible, Katie and I ditched the walking stick wielding tour group and hiked to the top of two mountains for some stunning views and lots of tea with the Bedouins who live in the park. We then got horse rides out of the park with some boys who wanted to practice their English and invite us to smoke sheesha. We went for the buffet dinner instead.
The last day of the tour we drove back to Amman stopping at Mt. Nebo to see the view of the Holy land that Moses saw. Easy to see why it seemed like the promised land after the deserts of Egypt. Mom then headed back to the states, Dad to Greece, ad Katie to, well, the Holy Land.
Katie and I spent 5 days there exploring Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa. I had been there before 7 years ago but it was great to go back and still feel a bit of familiarity. The closeness of so many important religious sites all crammed together was still overpowering while walking through the alley ways of old Jerusalem. This is contrasted by the hip, modern feel of Tel Aviv, particularly the beautiful beach side promenade. Our last day was spent in Haifa with my CISV friend Noam and his new wife Avital. They were fabulous hosts opening their home and answering lots of our questions and even surprised me with some birthday desserts.
Being in Israel gave us another view on current events. At more official levels and on the news, Israel definitely seemed worried about what the revolution will mean for them. One Israeli we met felt Mubarak has brought stability and did not understand what his shortcomings were. One news program seemed to be angling for some fear mongering. However, these views were balanced out by others who, while concerned, also felt some inspiration from the Egyptian people. So like anywhere, reality is much more complex than what is reported in a news clip.
Petra photos posted here: https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2409539&id=5304443&l=c0b3a613c3
Israeli bagels! So delicious and with unlimited toppings!
Dome of the Rock Mosque in jerusalem
View of Old Jerusalem from the top of the Austrian Guest House
Reading the news by the beach in Tel Aviv.
Me with Avital and Noam, fabulous Israeli friends.
If you have a list of places to visit before you die, move Petra somewhere up near the top. It is incredible. Indiana Jones hardly does it justice. The one well known carved rock facade is only the beginning. In order to explore as much as possible, Katie and I ditched the walking stick wielding tour group and hiked to the top of two mountains for some stunning views and lots of tea with the Bedouins who live in the park. We then got horse rides out of the park with some boys who wanted to practice their English and invite us to smoke sheesha. We went for the buffet dinner instead.
The last day of the tour we drove back to Amman stopping at Mt. Nebo to see the view of the Holy land that Moses saw. Easy to see why it seemed like the promised land after the deserts of Egypt. Mom then headed back to the states, Dad to Greece, ad Katie to, well, the Holy Land.
Katie and I spent 5 days there exploring Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa. I had been there before 7 years ago but it was great to go back and still feel a bit of familiarity. The closeness of so many important religious sites all crammed together was still overpowering while walking through the alley ways of old Jerusalem. This is contrasted by the hip, modern feel of Tel Aviv, particularly the beautiful beach side promenade. Our last day was spent in Haifa with my CISV friend Noam and his new wife Avital. They were fabulous hosts opening their home and answering lots of our questions and even surprised me with some birthday desserts.
Being in Israel gave us another view on current events. At more official levels and on the news, Israel definitely seemed worried about what the revolution will mean for them. One Israeli we met felt Mubarak has brought stability and did not understand what his shortcomings were. One news program seemed to be angling for some fear mongering. However, these views were balanced out by others who, while concerned, also felt some inspiration from the Egyptian people. So like anywhere, reality is much more complex than what is reported in a news clip.
Petra photos posted here: https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2409539&id=5304443&l=c0b3a613c3
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