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[Russ] We saw historical sites from different time periods in Jordan: Castle Aljoun is a mammoth 12th century hilltop fortress that dominates multiple valleys in Northern Jordan. It was a successful defense against Crusader invasions. We enjoyed finding clay pots with holes for wicks, most likely an early form of hand grenade. The Citadel of […]

   In America, we all turn our televisions on and switch to our favorite news station, be it CNN or Fox News, or 7 News. Sometimes we hear bad things about the Middle East, and how there are extremist terrorists around every corner. Clips of fighting and barren towns, soldiers running and patrolling occupy your […]

To be entirely honest, I was a bit apprehensive about visiting Jordan.  The country is, after all, situated in the heart of the Middle East, a place I had never been and had only heard about in the news.  I was extremely conscious of being an American in a region where I imagined Americans were […]

We came to Jordan to see the ruins of ancient civilizations, but we left enthusiastic about the modern country as a destination.  This is a fascinating place to visit – a Muslim Arab place where Americans are nonetheless welcomed as a people if not for their foreign policy – and a place where Americans can […]

We drove to a local Jordanian family’s house for a delicious dinner. It was a cool evening and thunder was coming from our bellies. As soon as we got there we quickly unbuckled and met our host. A smiling gray-haired man met us at the door and ushered us in to meet his wife. The […]

We had a great time in Jordan. This is at one of the highlights. Can you guess the location of this building?

We walked for about an hour through a dusty gorge in Petra, peering around each bend.  Pitted stone walls of crimson and grey towering over us like Manhattan skyscrapers.  We were here to see the fabled “Treasury Building” – a jawdropper that was made famous as the resting place for the Holy Grail by the third […]

The second day in Jordan we headed south from Petra to take a jeep ride a desert region called Wadi Rum, known for its fantastical sandstone formations.  Katherine and Carter each write about their favorite part of the experience – the camels. Katherine: As we were driving in the Jordanian dessert we came across ten camels. […]

After six months in Europe, it is time to get back on the road and see more of the world! We move now to the Middle East, starting in Jordan. We arrived at night and at a fairly nice international hotel – where guests enter through an X-ray machine! The next day the touring began […]