Petra to Amman

It is very apparent that we are in a foreign country in Jordan.  We were awakened in Petra at 5:00 am with the Muslim call to prayer over the loud speakers at the local Mosque.  The further north we drove the more we began to see some (though very little) green.  Almost all the way to Amman it seems that the bedouin culture dominates, even in areas where they have begun to settle in small communities and houses.

We stopped in a road side market where various middle east wares were sold including silk carpets.  The are very expensive, even here.  So, we left them in Jordan :).  I was amazed to see many shepherds with their sheep or goats grazing on the country side and beside the road.  There was so little to graze upon!  We visited a Crusader castle in Al Karak or Karak City.  After lunch we happened across a brief fight in the street between a man who screeched his car to a halt and attacked a shop keeper, but thankfully passers by  and the police quickly broke it up.   As we drove through the streets of Karak City we were amazed at the street markets with meat hanging on display.  This trip through Jordan is helping us to observe the difference in cultures between Muslim and Israeli.  

We crossed two great landmarks which were spectacular today:  the Arnon River which is the border between Edom and Moab.  The river canyon would be best likened to the Grand Canyon.  It is a huge natural boundary.  Thankfully the bus brakes worked very well!  We enjoyed a breath taking view.

Later went to the top of Mt. Nebo where the Lord took Moses to view the promised land before he took him home to heaven.  What a powerful view and site.  What a shame that Moses was not allowed to enter the land due to his disobedience.  How often do we miss the Lord's best due to our unwillingness to trust and obey Him!  The Lord brought His people through great trials before he gave them the blessings He prepared for them.  He proved Himself to them and He proved them to Himself.  We are never worthy, only the undeserving recipients of His love and grace.  He is always faithful and worthy of our worship!

We eventually arrived in the capital city of Amman to spend the night.  The city of Amman is the only place that we saw in Jordan that really seemed modern.  We actually stayed at a very nice hotel.  In Bible times this was the capital of the Ammonites.  King David warred against them in II Samuel 10-11.