Jordan in August is hot.The Dead Sea averages 100 degrees,and Aquba is often 120 degrees.Petra is hot but has wonderful mountain breezes and plenty of cool shade in the seik(a large narrow mountainous passageway that leads to both the treasury and to wide valleys which might remind you of the grande canyon if not for all the ancient cliff dwellings and tombs) and amongst the ancient cliff dwellings.
In Petra,the people ..called Bedoin..still live near by the famous ruins,and make a living selling their homemade jewelry,rugs and other beautiful crafts.The often invite tourists to sit with them by their craft stands in the site itself to drink tea.They are beautiful people who deserve the upmost respect.They have been there for so long..I cannot even say exactly .Thousands of years perhaps.The treasury is the most beautiful ancient ruin of all.It is made of pink sandstone.
Interestingly,in the town of Petra,outside the mountainous ruins,is unique in its own way.Steep streets ,mysterious dwellings,and many late night communal gatherings .They drink tea,play arabic music and seem so far removed from the western world and the chaos we have inherited from being born here.Its truly another world,despite the trappings of tourism and the need the locals have for it.
Not everything was perfect about Petra.Many men desperately depend on tourism for survival.These people are not the Beduoin,but local townspeople.They are kind enough to tourists,if not slightly pushy..for obvious reasons.It is kind to patronize these tourguides in turn..for what is a vacation to you is a livelihood to them.
I have much more to share regarding Petra and Jordan in general.Stay tuned.

The Treasury,Petra,Jordan 2004

Me in Jordan 2004

The Littered Gutters

life is a frightening game. (the littered gutters) the fierce competitive fight at which I lose mostly.
i cannot be much any more. not profound. (the littered gutters) not wise... or even dim enough to not care that I am stupid.
I am good at making excuses for being unsuccessfulI

finding poetry in the trajedy

that I am so sparse (the littered gutters)
I am human. Thats something. hopefully thats more than nothing

lazy and trite

too

thats also alot

a real mouthful.

words! a plantation of forbidden truth why? because....DONT WHINE...drink wine..and multiply the joy..
recollections free gift from the brain wave near you

remember those moments you feared would end ....wise enough ...I cannot recall a moment that did not pass the smell of grass

every child's hypnotic drug of choice no! not grass ...GRASS....
That bitter tasting green carpet that facilitates youth and energy
its all relative
when I am old grey and smelly I hope grass swaddles me like a baby

and I remember

that time/
and let it grow above me as it did below me.Grass and words and this....transcendential being...