Off to Wadi Rum

Trip Start Jul 01, 1997

Trip End Oct 29, 1997

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Flag of Jordan Wadi Rum, Jordan
Thursday, July 31, 1997

First thing this morning we drove up to the highest point of Mount Nebo, Syagha, where there is a church and monastery. It is one of the many places that has been suggested as the final resting place for the Ark of the Covenant. Outside was a large metal cross with a metal snake around it. The church was built to commemorate where Moses died. Inside was a fantastic mosaic on the floor featuring different animals.

Drove down out of the hills to the capital, Amman, which seemed quite western. I spied a giant Ronald McDonald on the way in. We parked at Safeways. So strange to see one here.Took taxis to the post office to pick up any mail delivered there for us. There was a box on the counter which was supposed to hold all poste restante mail. After looking through it we only found one postcard for Lisa and nothing for the rest of us. Most of the letters in there were pretty old

Iron snake curved around a cross

. Being pretty adamant that we should all have mail we asked the counter clerk where the rest of it was, but he said that was all they had. Eventually Lisa wangled her way into the sorting office where she was given two large bundles of mail to look through. She found some for all of us, but we still reckon there should've been more. We'll be returning to Amman at a later date so will try again. I was quite happy though as I had five letters. Returned to Safeways and after shopping headed south along the Desert Highway with the wind once again battering us.

Eventually turned off towards Wadi Rum and made camp in the desert opposite a rock known as the Seven Sisters. Teresa and I walked a little way from the truck and the silence was almost deafening. There was a definite pounding in my ears. Tonight we're going to sleep out under the stars without tents.

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