This handsome young man, at the ripe old age of 14 was our jeep driver today in Wadi Rum. Making our way across the desert sands I was convinced that this is every young man's dream, driving a jeep in wide open spaces with the most spectacular scenery imaginable. Of course I know it is driving the jeep more than the scenery that he was loving. Our group, loaded onto the open backs of five jeeps and amidst lots of laughter, headed to a Bedouin tent for tea. Thankfully there was also a fire around which to warm ourselves.
The highest elevation in Jordan, 6,040 feet is a few short kilometers away. The sun was shining brightly but the wind was blowing with equal intensity. We agreed it was a "cool" experience. Wadi Rum is best known for its connection with the British officer T.E. Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, who passed through here several times during the Arab Revolt of 1917-18. It was here that a good bit of the film, Lawrence of Arabia was filmed.
The remarkable rose colored sandstone makes this one of the most beautiful and unique desert landscapes in the world. Indeed it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. From prehistoric times human cultures have inhabited this Valley of the Moon. The Nabateans left rock carvings that have survived the sands and winds of time.
We found ourselves imagining the 40 years of wilderness wanderings by the children of Israel, some of it was surely in environment such as this. It has been said that "The Promised Land always lies on the other side of the wilderness." Unlike Moses who did not make it into the Promised Land but only as far as Mt. Nebo, we will return from Jordan into that Promised Land on Thursday.
Tomorrow-Petra
Blessings,
Mary
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