Petra

Arrived in Amman at noon today and glad to leave the scary traffic of Cairo. We are still shocked we didn't die...or kill someone while in a cab. Really, the worst drivers in the world...or the world I have traveled in at least. BAD. Anyway, we sped through customs and were met by our driver George who was arranged by the JBCP. Turns out he was born in Jordan and moved to the US when he was 2. Served in the Navy and worked for USAID. Now is unemployed and took this "job" as he needed work. We were happy to have a very careful driver and one that we could converse with so easily. We got to Petra at about 3:30, looked for a hotel and found...well...a place to sleep. Eeeegads. Culture shock!! The room is clean if you ignore the horrible smelly water in the toilet, and at least the AC makes enough noise to drown out the call to prayer from the loud speaker in the mosque across the street. It is funny cuz reception told us he would give us a premium room with a view....all for $100 US. Really! Take a look for yourself. We just cracked up when we walked in. A far cry from the Marriott in Cairo...but we are fine and safe. We went down to the main drag of Petra (about 2 blocks long) and looked at all the stuff for sale there too. Had a typical Jordanian dinner of kebabs, yummy hummus and pita. Very good. The bad news is that the wine cost more than the food! What is it about the high cost of wine in the Middle East?? Anyway, the hotel does have wireless, but in the lobby, so we are chilling out here with about 100 French people who talk loud and non-stop (hey, just like my family!!) Going to the night tour of Petra in about an hour. Hopefully a good night's sleep and then day tour of Petra and tomorrow night in the Bedouin camp! I am SO excited to do that....but maybe not so much so when I see the dreaded "camel spider" crawling around in the sand outside my tent! Linda, I heard it rivals the "Bird-eater". I am too afraid to google it and see it's pix!! Don"t tell me!! YIKES! Gotta run.