Wow, Twink, what a wonderful trip.

Yes a pic of you riding a camel would be perfect.

I agree, would love to see you on a camel wearing a hat and a scarf. It sounds like you are having a great time, and I'm happy for you!

Oh my! I am double-dog tired!

We left at 8:00 and walked and walked until we got to Petra. Then we walked and walked until we got to the "treasury" (similar). Then we walked so more. The temps changed and I would remove my Jordanian scarf and "Petra" golf-type hat every now and then to adjust, but it was an absolutely GORGEOUS DAY! Could NOT have been nicer! And to think it thundered and rained and lightning-ed during the earlier part of the night.

Temps were nice and brisk for the long walk. And then -- I rode a donkey up the mountain. There are ancient steps carved into the rock. Along the way, Bedouins display their trinkets, hoping you will give them a few dinars. BTW, I always thought they were dee-nars, but our guide says "dinners."

The donkey ride was like nothing else I've ever experienced! My donkey-handler boy said there are 850 steps up the mountain. It winds up and down and back and around. And just when I thought we should be pretty close to the ancient Monastery at the top, there would be another stretch of stairs.

BUT...coming down was an entirely different experience! My larg-ish cousin Jim, who is 67 and has Lupus, rode a mule down with me (they are larger than the poor little donkeys). He actually had to dismount his donkey on the way up because it was worn out (poor thing -- they work SO hard!)

Another lady Frances (my roommate), was terrified because her saddle was pretty loose and she thought she'd fall right off.

I decided that on the way down this extremely steep mountain (its about 400 feet down, but seemed more like 4,000) that it was best if I didn't look at the donkey's feet -- it was just too frightening to concentrate on how she was going to get me down those steps without both of us falling into the abyss!

And yes, my dear friends, I DID manage to get a picture of me in the traditional men's scarf and headband. My cousin had to take the pics because I wore out two (2) TWO(!) point and shoot digital cameras today! The batteries just couldn't take any more!

And I'm being very careful about only drinking bottled water. The food is mostly quite wonderful -- a very good variety, too. I tried their "lasagne" last night. Nope, I didn't get the recipe -- it was weird!

But the hummus and flatbread is so tasty, as is the dessert table (a little TOO tasty for this chunky monkey).

We ate in a Bedouin cafe on the trail today. The bathrooms were a little scary (you have to remember to take your own TP and sometimes you see a sign that requests you drop your used TP into a basket so you don't clog the system.) But the food was great. The buffet was actually located in a cave.

They would accept a Visa card, but (believe it or not) another place in the middle of nowhere did. You've seen those little bottles where they use sand to make designs -- I ordered some of those before I went up the 850 steps, and they were ready when I came back. I got the last names of my co-workers drawn in them, along with a couple of camels. They are packed in there so tight, that if you break the glass, the sand still holds together and kind of looks like a piece of ancient pottery.

Our guide told us to have a pocketful of dinars for the little Bedouin kids. They sell postcards, necklaces and even plain old rocks--anything to get some money. They can earn up to $200 a day badgering the tourists! You would not believe how many packages of postcards I purchased!

I have to be packed and ready to go at 6:30 in the morning. I signed up for yet another donkey ride (hey, it sure beats walking!) We are going just as high up tomorrow, but the mountain is steeper and has switchbacks. There are some tombs or something up there.

I'm going to time-out here any minute. I'll check in again in a couple of days. Bye friends! I'll write you from Jerusalem!

Twink, I can't be there, my donkey riding days are long over, thank you for teling this trip to me, I'm almost there!! Looking forward to your next installment!!!

All I can say is wow! You have an adventurous soul! Hope you continue to have a wonderful time.

It sounds wonderful Twink! I'm glad you're having such an interesting tour and look forward to seeing your photos when you return.

I am so very jealous of your trip. I will eagerly await the next report.

oh twink, I'm almost jealous. I've always wanted to make this trip! Glad you are having a good time tho..I will enjoy the trip through your pics!

Awww... Twink... I am living vicariously through your journey!!!

I've always wanted to go there but know that it's not likely to happen...

Thank you for sharing your journey!! Can't wait to see some pictures!!

Have fun!!!

Abbie

Wow Twink, what a wonderful experience! It's great that you can go now in case the MS beast raises it's ugly head in the future. Thank you for sharing with us......we're all right behind you!! Looking forward to seeing some pics!

Take care......Judy