Between Iraq and a hard place

The title of this blog I have heard repeated multiple times by professors here at the University of Jordan.  This does describe where Jordan is physically located.  All around Jordan the countries seem to be always in some sort of conflict.  I put this title because this Saturday I was only about an hour and a half away drive from Iraq.  Out in the desert there CIEE took us on a field trip to go see some desert castles and go on a bike ride.  Besides reading the sign or looking at a map no one would know that we were that close to the country of Iraq.  Plus like I mentioned in a previous post, the most dangerous thing I will encounter is the traffic, and I do not see "Iraq and a hard place" affecting daily life.  In fact the other day there was potential for a tribal (Jordanians come from different tribes) fight and we were told to avoid the main gate at the University.  So as far as seeing the troubles of the other countries affecting Jordan it will most likely not happen. 

This field trip this last Saturday took us to two different "castles" that were used during the Umayyad period in Middle Eastern History.  Both were not that big but did have a lot of structure still standing.  At the first one we basically were allowed to explore whatever we wanted.  We basically walked through the small castle and took various pictures.  The second one was quite a bit neater because the fact that you could still make out the frescos that were all over the walls.  Plus at this one they were still building the castle.  Its a joke here that they started the castle back in the Umayyad period and still have not finished building it because construction takes forever.  In fact they were just restoring and trying to preserve the frescos.  After this castle we procedded to get on bicyles on go on a 25 kilometer bike ride through the desert.  Not much to see for the most part except for a lizard, mirages, and a stampede of camels.  Yep, only in the Middle East can one go on a bike ride and come across a herd of camels.  After the bike ride we got back on the bus and proceded to the village of Azraq.  There we ate lunch and than ended up at Azraq wetlands.  This area is the only wetlands in Jordan and used to be a lot bigger.  First part of this we walked through a presentation thing describing how the water issue in Jordan is a big issue.  Than we were able to see the wetlands and walk through them thanks to a bridge that was built.  It was neat to see, and plus we did see a water buffalo eating across the way.  After this went on the roof of the main building to see out across the whole area, and while up there I saw a herd of sheep walking down the road.  The herder looked like he was heading home and the sheep were following him the whole way.  After this we made the commute back home via bus.  It was a neat trip.  So this past week I have been taking midterms for each of my classes.  For Arabic that did include multiple tests such as written, listening, and speaking.  Finally done with that and now can enjoy the break. 

So today after my Arabic classes it is the start of the vacation.  We get the week off of school and get to do whatever we want to do.  Most people are traveling to different countries, but I figured there is still a lot to see in Jordan.  So I originally planned to go back to Dana Nature Reserve, Wadi Rum, and then on to Aqaba.  Well plans change especially here in Jordan since nothing seems to be set in stone until it is actually happening.  So it will be easier to get to Wadi Rum from Amman on a Friday instead of from Dana to Wadi Rum.  So basically I and my fellow traveler for the first part have decided to skip Dana and go to Wadi Rum and on to Aqaba.  Yes, I have already been to Wadi Rum, but last time I went there we were barely at the beginning of Wadi Rum.  There was still paved road and so this trip I want to get out in the middle of the desert with no paved roads.  Simply there will be sand, lots of stars, nature, some more sand, and possibly wild animals.  We are going to be able to spend the night out in the middle of the desert without a huge camp setup, but simply our tent and the guide’s tent.  Then on to Aqaba where we will meet up with some other people and in Aqaba we will be able to dive the Red Sea.  Diving the Red Sea is supposed to be some of the best diving in the world so it will be really neat.  Plus my dive partner (someone from my Arabic class) it will be his first open water dives after being certified a couple months ago.  Plus another friend is going to be getting certified from a dive master while in Aqaba.  So I told them that they are really lucky to be diving the Red Sea as some of their first dives. 

            So I will be gone all next week and I don’t plan on bringing my laptop.  It’s hard to get service in Wadi Rum, and plus there is a lot of sand in Wadi Rum.  I will come back with some good stories and quite possibly stories that include diving with sea turtles and hammerhead sharks.  Between now and then I will be relaxing and enjoying the desert of Jordan.  I will take plenty of pictures and will write when I get back.  إن شاء الله