Any Travels

The territory of Jordan covers about 91,880 square kilometers. Until 1988, when King Hussein relinquished Jordan's claim to the West Bank, that area was considered part of Jordan, although only officially recognized as such by Britain and Pakistan. At that time the West Bank--which encompasses about 5,880 square kilometers--had been under Israeli property since the June 1967 War between Israel and the states of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria.

Jordan is landlocked except at its southern extremity, where nearly twenty-six kilometers of shoreline along the Gulf of Aqaba provide access to the Red Sea. A great north-south geological rift, forming the depression of Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee), the Jordan Valley, and the Dead Sea, is the dominant topographical feature.

Jordan is a modern country with an ancient culture, a land of which visitors can walk through the valleys, hills and plains whose names have become part of human history by virtue of the simple deeds and profound messages of prophets who walked the land and crossed its rivers during their lives.

Many of the sites where they are said to have performed miracles or reached out to ordinary people have been identified, excavated and protected, and are now more easily accessible to visitors.

The site of John the Baptist's settlement at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where Jesus was baptised, has long been known from the Bible and from the Byzantine and medieval texts. The site has now been identified on the east bank of the Jordan River, in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and is being systematically surveyed, excavated, restored, and prepared to receive pilgrims and visitors in early 2000. The site is located half an hour by car from the Jordanian capital Amman.

As for the Islamic Faith, Jordan is a blessed land that links Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, and accordingly, has witnessed the birth of Islam and its growth as a global religion. It is also the land that was travelled by prophets and men of God, spreading His word and promoting virtuous living.

A large number of the Prophet's Companions were martyred and buried in Jordan, for Jordan was the first territory outside the Arabian Peninsula to which Islam spread, it was also the first point of contact between Islam and the non-Arab world.

Three important historical sites in Jordan are of significance to Islam, they are the sites of the Battle of Mutah, the site of two battles of Yarmouk and the Battle of Fahl.

Jordan is also possibly the site of the famous childhood encounter of the prophet Mohammad (PBUH) with the Monk Bhira and the later encounter with the Monk Nestor at the site of Mayfa'ah (Umm al Rassas).

Mysterious as its name suggests, the cave of the Seven Sleepers is unique among the religious sites in Jordan. Its mystical story is supported by the chapter in the Holy Quran and by the parallel Christian legend of the Sleepers or Ephesus. Located on the road to Sahab, about 10 km south of Amman, the site features Roman and Byzantine ruins, as well as a cave with three rock-hewn graves.

Places of Interest:

Amman
Amman is a fairly modern city with ancient roots. The city is built on seven hills, like every great city should be. These hills sometimes make it a bit hard to get around, but since taxi's are not expensive and always near, you will never really get lost. In the heart of the city is the Roman theater. The theater is really beautiful, there is a nice park nearby, there are Internet cafes and shops in the street that passes the theater and there is a Mac Donalds right on the spot. This is the place to be!

Scattered around town are quite a few other sights, some going back to Roman times, others to the heyday of the Islamic civilization.

Amman has the best archeological museum in Jordan and in a country with so many antiquities that is something to be proud of.

Jerash
Jerash is a must see. Well-preserved 2 000-year-old Greco-Roman ruins are the reason to come. Hundreds of columns, temples, a theater and streets are worth a detour.

Jerash which was discovered in the 1920s and the ruins are in excellent shape. Before the excavations Jerash was primarily a Circassian town. Some of the inhabitants actually had their houses in the ruins.

Jerash is less than 50 kilometer from Amman and can be visited as a daytrip.

Petra
Petra is on your top priority list if you are in Jordan. Located in the Wadi Musa Canyon the solid red sandstone buildings, carved by the Nabataeans are unlike anything you have ever seen. The Siq, a narrow gorge leads you to the temples, tombs and other buildings. While you are walking through The Siq (you can also rent a donkey) you never expect what is coming. Then you take a trun and 'bang' it's there: the most impressive red sandstone temple you have ever seen. It's so big you can never take a good picture of it. The best way to appreciate it is to see it in reality anyway.

After this first shock, there is a big area with many similar temples, tombs and other magnificent constructions. you need a full day to see everything.

The best way to visit is by foot. You do need lots of water and you should protect yourself against the sun. We're in the middle of the desert, you know.

Petra is less than 200 km south of Amman. You can visit Petra as a daytrip, but you are sure to miss a lot of things. It is also possible to see Petra on the way from Amman to Aqaba. A visit to Petra can (and should) be combined with a stay in Wadi rum. That's the way to fully appreciate the beauty of the desert.

Way of Life:

Islamic law forbids eating pig and drinking alcohol, and this law is followed to a greater or lesser (generally lesser) extent throughout Jordan. Islam also has a tendency to divide the sexes, and you might find that many eating establishments only welcome men. Most of these will, if asked, show you to the 'family room', an area set aside for women. When Jordanians eat out they will usually order group meals - a selection of mezzeh, or starters, followed by main meals to share. Arabic unleavened bread, or khobz, is eaten with almost everything. The other staples are felafel, deep-fried chickpea balls, shwarma, spit-cooked sliced lamb, and fuul, a paste of fava beans, garlic and lemon. Mensaf is a Bedouin speciality - a whole lamb, head included, on a bed of rice and pine nuts.

There isn't much sign of traditional Arabic music in Jordan, but you will find an interesting hybrid of Arab-style singers backed up by orchestras of western and traditional instruments everywhere you go. The Bedouin are still hanging on to their musical traditions, with groups of men singing trance-like chants to accompany a lone belly-dancer.

Hospitality is a cornerstone of Arab life. It is commonplace for Jordanian families, particularly desert dwellers, to welcome strangers into their home. The tradition developed from the harshness of desert life - without food, water and shelter from strangers, most desert travellers would die. Wherever you go in Jordan, you are likely to hear the word, 'Welcome', and you will frequently be invited into people's homes for food or a cup of tea.