Redefined Timeline

It was time to venture outside of the capital city of Amman. This eight day tour also took us to Jerash, included a float in the Dead Sea, and up a “mountain” to the history-laden Mount Nebo. This was also the start of my beginner influencer photography classes, courtesy of Kaylee and Caily. I consider myself a portrait mode pro now, but I don’t think I’ll ever master the art of posing without looking incredibly awkward.

Jerash was located in northern Jordan, and it was the second most visited place in Jordan behind Petra. The first settlement in the city was a Neolithic site known as Tal Abu Sowan. Jerash flourished during the Greek, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, when it was called Gerasa. Jerash has been inhabited by numerous cultures and people throughout its long history. Greeks, Romans, Muslims, Syrians, Jews, the Ottomans… the list is extensive. Excavation revealed structures were used as churches, synagogues and temples dating back to 7500 BC. Basically, it’s a history nuts wet dream.

Jerash is considered one of the largest and well-preserved sites of Greek and Roman architecture in the world. Even though the ruins were badly damaged because of earthquakes over the decades. It was a maze of columns, fallen buildings and old rocks.

We arrived bright and early in order to avoid the crowds that allegedly came later. We wandered throughout the ruins, climbing rock steps, peeking into rock structures to see what lay beyond. We entered an enormous amphitheater that made me feel minuscule. The sheer size and height of the tiered seating was astounding. How did people build this without the assistance of machinery?

After departing Jerash, our crew boarded our private van and headed south and down to the Dead Sea. During the drive, we stopped for snacks. Much like the markets I encountered in Asia, they sold a wide variety of chip flavors. I added to my growing collection of chip photos, and bombarded my pallet with new tastes. This trips infusions included Roasted Garlic Oyster, Roasted Cumin Lamb Skewer, Chicago Hot Wings, Korean Kimchi Noodles, and Texas BBQ Brisket. Eventually, I will draft my post of the wide variety of chip infusions.

Mount Nebo sits on an elevated ridge 2300 feet above sea level. Nebo gave visitors a glimpse of the Promised Land, providing a panoramic view over the West Bank and the Jordan river valley. Jericho and Jerusalem are visible on very clear days. Mount Nebo was the place of death of Moses, but there was not a burial site there, only a monument commemorating Moses’ summit of the hill. I refuse to refer to it as a mountain, even though it is part of the Abarim Mountains.

A Byzantine church and monastery sit atop the summit (aka. large hill) that dated back to the 4th century. The church was discovered in 1933 and was enlarged and rebuilt several times during it’s history. Mosaic tiles line the interior floors of the structure – the scenes and beings depicted were exceptionally ornate and detailed. The story behind Mount Nebo was a bit on the depressing side. It went something like this…

The Israelites finally left Egypt after the 10th plague (denoting that the eldest son must die) led by Moses. After wandering the wilderness for forty years with his people in tow, Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land himself due to a past transgression.  Instead, the Bible said that God had Moses ascend Mount Nebo. From the vantage point, Moses was able to view the land of Canaan (the Promised Land) before he died. The story of the ten plagues was part of the backstory of Moses’s journey. 

Onward to the Dead Sea…

The Dead Sea is almost 1000 feet deep, and it is the deepest hypersaline lake in the world. It lies 1443 feet below sea level. The environment is uninhabitable, thus the title Dead Sea. Several resorts took advantage of the location, charging fees to tourists wanting to experience weightlessness. It bought us access to a couple of pools, complete with a water slide, a bar, and the famous mud lining the shores of the sea. The mud was put on display in an enormous goblet for all to take handfuls of and smear all over your body. They say it is good for the skin, and who am I to argue?

While experiencing the salty buoyancy of the sea, we peered over at Israel hoping the warring was unable to cross the body of water. I imagine the resorts would be a prime terrorist target with all us ungodly westerners wandering about. Thankfully, the only incident some of us endured was the intense burning sensation felt after the sodium chloride made its way up a particular part of the female anatomy. Personally, my inferno was exponentially worse due to a monthly event that required a plug of sorts which acted as a sponge for the alkali liquid. TMI? Or a warning for anyone else visiting the Dead Sea? Ladies beware…

The next few hours were spent having a few fruity adult beverages and lounging by the adults only pool. That was until the allure of a return to youthful adolescence overpowered the Kaylee’s and I in the form of a giant waterslide.

And with that, our excursion into northern Jordan came to an end. Exceptionally salty and exhausted, we boarded the bus bound for Karak and the famous Petra.

November 2023