We'll have a full day of exploring with an expert Jordanian guide. We expect to be out in the sun more or less all day, which does wonders for resetting the body's clock.
One website I saw recently said this about preparing for a visit to Jordan: "The best advice I heard before going to Jordan was 'don’t read anything about it.' A friend wanted me to be surprised. 'Especially before you go to Petra, don’t read anything.'" I agree that you shouldn't read anything if all you want is to be surprised by everything you see. I think, however, that the best visit is done by preparing ahead of time, immersing yourself in the experience during your visit, and then reflecting and doing more reading after returning.
The website Visit Jordan has a good page on Petra. "Often described as the eighth wonder of the ancient world, is without a doubt Jordan’s most valuable treasure and greatest tourist attraction. It is a vast, unique city, carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled here more than 2000 years ago, turning it into an important junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome."
The links on the left side of that page offer you entry into pages on history & culture, religion and faith, fun and adventure.
The Bible Places website has a good description along with a list of related websites. Of course Wikipedia will also provide a good general overview and photos.
Better yet, peruse these resources:
- Biblical Archaeology Review's online article "Solving the Enigma of Petra and the Nabataeans" by Joey Corbett.
- A lovely 25 minute video (no narration, only music), part of a series called "Amazing Places on Our Planet."
- National Geographic's documentary (21 minutes). Very good.
- The Last Bedu of Petra and Wadi Rum. A "Living Cultures" documentary (51 minutes).
While in Petra we'll stay at the delightful Taybet Zaman Hotel, which is a restored 19th century Jordanian village.
Petra is a magical place. You will likely be drawn in by skillful Bedu children selling colourful jewelry.
But don't become distracted. Keep your eyes open for that unexpected sight.
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