27 June 2007

Epilogue

I'm home now, and it was a magical journey. Jordan is a land filled with the history of the world and populated by the most hospitable and friendliest people on earth. Everyone you will meet in this place will bid you "Welcome to Jordan!" and will do everything in his power to ensure you feel welcome. This applies not only to shopkeepers and tour guides, but to everyman on the street. Anyone you might meet is compelled by his culture to welcome you and offer his hospitality.

One of the things that attracts me to this part of the world is the history. Amman, formerly known as Philadelphia was part of the Roman Decapolis. Ten cities across the Middle East made up this historically significant era. Art and architecture were at their peak. The magnificent ruins are testament to that fact. The remote desert castles, the many ampitheatres and the ruined cities of Jerash and others remind us that we are not the first ones here. Walking the streets and paths formerly used by such personages as Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses) and countless other historical figures makes one feel humbled and insignificant. It also produces a feeling of awe, and if you stop for a bit and listen closely, you can almost hear the ancient voices speaking to you over the millenia.

For me, the trip was even more important because I was able to spend fourteen days with Zeek. He made sure that every second was special. For two weeks I was treated as a King and wanted for nothing. Leaving him behind, for the fourth time, was one of the most difficult moments of my life. I miss him terribly. Still, we refuse to give up our dreams and hopes for immigration. Given the current political climate, the battle may become even more difficult, but it won't end until we have achieved it.

I hope you enjoyed our little blog. We had immense fun creating it, deciding what to tell you and which pictures to share with you. Please feel free to make any comments you like on any or all of the posts. We will appreciate reading them; and we will look forward to doing this again!

Zeek & Jim

4 comments:

Singing Wolf said...

Hey, it's Sam!

I'm so glad you made it home safely, though I wish that Zeek could have come with you.

Sorry I've been delinquent in posting comments. We lost our internet connection for a while... damn Comcast.

Anyway, we got your postcard from Amsterdam, and loved it, thank you! It was sweet of you to think of us. We'll be heading out on our own trip in a week, and we'll think of you both. I wish our destination was as exotic as Jordan, but Canada is lovely in it's own way. ;-)

I'll go back over your older posts and comment. Maybe I can even get Rey online for a bit, I still can't convince her to blog.

Glad you're back! Even if you are on the wrong side of the continent. ;-)

Anonymous said...

I just wanted you to know that I enjoyed reading about your trip and seeing the pictures. The architect absolutely amazes me. I'm glad you're back home safe. See you soon.
Kim M.

Unknown said...

The caves you see in that photo were houses of the residents of Petra (البتراء or Al Butrā). The ancient name of the city is Rekem and appears in the Dead Sea Scrolls. It was the capital of the Nabateans. The Nabateans were highly advanced people who controlled the trade routes between Gaza, Bosra, Damascus, Aqaba and Leuce Come on the Red Sea as well as across the desert to the Persian Gulf. The city has a single entrance (Siq) that is cut through the rock mountain. In some areas it is as much as 1500 meters high.

The mosaic is St Luke. The name you see is ancient Greek (Λουκᾶς)

Melanie said...

Jim & Zeek,
Your words paint a picture by themselves...
I have so enjoyed reading as the two of you wandered those ancient lands! Both of you look so happy in the photos!
I pray the day soon comes for the two of you to be together! Thank you for including me on your journey!
My love to you Both!
Melanie