The coach stopped at a viewpoint so we could take photographs. These are the mountains were Petra is.
This old chap (he was 90) is playing a Rababa, and he sang in his cracked old voice. He was saying he was cold - that brought the tips in! Gabby said, I think they just wheel him out whenever a coach comes in and then he goes back in the warm. On our way back he was tucking into breakfast in the tent . . .
To get to the viewpoint, there were steps. We rashly thought they were all like this. Wrong!
They got worse. Below, Henrietta (a lovely American Chinese lady) was telling us which steps were slippy . . . That's me in the quilted coat.
My journal for the day: First to Little Petra (more cute tiny cats, who are fed Feta cheese by the stallholders there). We were given no warning, but found there was a very steep and worn and ancient flight of steps which took us up to an amazing viewpoint across the Petra gorge. There were several "shops" along the way and I bought a pretty pink and lilac pashmina for just 4 J. dinar (£4 ish). On the way back I got a nice little silver coloured Arab horse for 5 J.D. (bargained and got 2 JD knocked off).
The steps were fairly challenging -different heights, and sometimes it was easier to climb some less-cut steps to the side. The lovely bossy Chinese lady (Henrietta) was telling us, "that step's slippy", "hold onto that" etc, bless her. Her sister is called Heidi and is 80 and had a hip replacement but still had a quick ride yesterday, 100yds or so - on the little ratbag of a pony I rode. Brave lady.
Our legs ached after that! I nearly forgot to mention the little old (90 yrs) man who was singing and playing a "Rababa".
Then on to Wadi Rum (tomorrow's post).
Great photos. The walking looks challenging to say the least! x
ReplyDeleteI was glad to be reasonably limber still. Perhaps it's a good idea to still be walking the hills round here, much though I moan internally at the time!!
DeleteYou really leaned in to the adventure. Good for you! Sure hope to see that pashmina one day. It was the perfect souvernir...you can wrap yourself up in beautiful memories.
ReplyDeleteWell, it had to be done! I'll put a photo of the pashmina up later today.
DeleteAmazing photos. I am completely flabbergasted at how many cats there are, and how well fed they all look.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
We weren't expecting cats either! Even in Amman city, the hotels were putting out chicken carcasses for them on the pavement. So much for not feeding cooked chicken bones to cats! They survived (one assumes).
DeleteYou were brave! Not sure I could have done the steps but of course I would have to because you can't go that far and not see it. At least, now, I am forewarned and can work on building up my bravery.
ReplyDeleteWell no, my thoughts exactly. The whole holiday threw up challenges tbh!
DeleteWhat an adventure! I definitely couldn't have done those steps which looks more like clambering a mountain.
ReplyDeleteThey were a challenge in places and the steepest section you HAD to come down backwards (Henrietta told us!!) but we all survived. It was the side of a mountain, in all fairness . . .
DeleteThat looks quite an adventure. My father always wanted to go to go to Petra, but never managed it. Looking at your photos makes me think he would have absolutely loved it there.
ReplyDeleteKeith always wanted to go to - if only we had10 years ago . . . I had the feeling he was pulling the strings to get me there!
DeleteI admire you perseverance to see these wonderful sights.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't gone all that way to not at least try.
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