Jan 6: Amman, Jordan River, Madaba

Today was an amazing day!
Early this morning we set out for a tour of Amman. We visited the acropolis where the Temple of Zeus is as well as the Amman Archaeological Museum. The view of from the acropolis was amazing. The thing about Amman is that it is a rapidly growing city. It was only around 30,000 in population 50 years ago and now it is a booming 2.5 million. Standing on the Acropolis your are surrounded by mountains with city homes and buildings climbing up them as far as the eye can see. One thing i found interesting about the city of Amman is there are seldom buildings higher than 7 or so stories. It is different than an American city or other cities in the world because you don't feel isolated from the rest of the world. You can actually see the mountains around you in the middle of the city! It's so cool! I also really enjoy the fact that there is a shop for everything. I go to wal-mart or meijer back home to get everything. Here there is a shop for your coats, a shop for your meat, shoes, chairs, cabinets, or pots and pans. It's so neat to see the people actually making their products and then taking a break to sell you something.

The next part of the day was my favorite of the trip so far. The Jordan Valley. You really don't understand the geographical significance of everything until you actually walk the ground it happened on. In a matter of an afternoon we visited where Elijah was taken to heaven, where Jesus was Baptized, and where Moses saw the promised land and died. You could literally stand on one spot and see the following starting from west to east: The Mount of Olives, Bethany, Jericho, Jesus' Baptism site, Where Elijah was taken up, and Mt. Nebo where Moses saw the promised land. Holy Cow! So much history! So much happened. We were in the ares where the Israelites made it to the promised land, turned back into the desert, came back, and crossed the Jordan! We haven't even crossed the Jordan yet. I just can't put into words the feeling of the realness of the history of our faith right now. It's only the third day!

Our thirst site of the day was Madaba. To get to this site we drove up Mt Nebo and were able to see the view Moses saw as he gazed upon what was promised to him! WOW! just 20 min past Mt. Nebo Madabas houses the oldest map of the Holy Land in the world. This town is know for their craft in mosaics. The church with the map has popular Greek Orthodox paintings created as mosaics. The map is also a large mosaic. When it was fully intact it is thought to have spanned 80 feet!

Tonight we rest in Petra. It is dark but i believe our room overlooks the ancient city of Petra. I will find out in the morning. Tomorrow we start at 8 am and get a survey of Petra from our guide Naim. Then Friday we will be able to explore on our own! Woot Woot! Petra is said to be in the ball park of 50 square miles so this may take a while. So . . .

tomorrow we see:
Petra



grace and peace,
_joel