tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66531938424116956112024-03-14T09:05:13.120+02:00Ol' Big Jim's PlaceLet's Get Lost!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-92074378381116257702013-02-03T08:47:00.000+02:002013-02-03T08:47:44.162+02:00Hello again!I have been so busy with my writing and my other three blogs, I haven't posted here for almost a year. I think it's time to change that. If you're interested, you can find my other blogs at <a href="http://olbigjim.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">olbigjim </a>, <a href="http://jimlwright.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">The Left Wright Brain</a>, and <a href="http://canaandogs.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Canaan Dogs</a>. In olbigjim, you'll find author interviews, book reviews, and lots of other goodies. The Left Wright Brain consists mostly of random writings and excerpts from my published book, New Yesterdays, and the sequel, a work in progress. Canaan Dogs is semi-dormant at the moment. It's for excerpts from my "Magnum Opus".<br />
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Now then, just sit back and relax, and leave the driving to me. Let's visit some of the highlights of Jordan as a way of getting back on track, shall we?<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--N1kCPqklJs/UQ4EMbHwEwI/AAAAAAAADdQ/N7BHUs2Re4g/s1600/250320111578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--N1kCPqklJs/UQ4EMbHwEwI/AAAAAAAADdQ/N7BHUs2Re4g/s320/250320111578.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the stage area of an ampitheatre in Jerash (known in biblical times as Jerasa). Notice how well preserved it is! At fixed times all during the day a group of Bedouin musicians entertain guests with drums and bagpipes. Yes, bagpipes!<br />
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A shepherd, near where I live, tending his flock. Even though we live in the capital city, we still have to be wary of sheep and goats in the streets. It sure makes for interesting driving!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2wCoi3nHI8/UQ4GyhX3LbI/AAAAAAAADds/ZwI3jyPB9JY/s1600/IMG_0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2wCoi3nHI8/UQ4GyhX3LbI/AAAAAAAADds/ZwI3jyPB9JY/s320/IMG_0473.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We're surrounded by olive trees, many of which date all the way back to the Roman Occupation when Jesus lived and roamed in this area.<br />
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I hope this post will whet your appetite and make you want to come back for more! I'll be posting here again, once or twice a month. Be sure to subscribe to the blog to make sure you don't miss a single post!<br />
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Is there something particular in Jordan you'd like to know more about? Send me an email or make a comment here and I'll get right on it!<br />
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Welcome back to The Other Holy Land!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-24238336101184800672012-03-09T12:47:00.001+02:002012-03-09T12:49:02.713+02:00Biblical Zoar<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0lw3wRSuCpw/T1nfNGe-M3I/AAAAAAAADFM/DjxbdZwXKRc/s1600/zoar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0lw3wRSuCpw/T1nfNGe-M3I/AAAAAAAADFM/DjxbdZwXKRc/s1600/zoar.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biblical Zoar</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No country in the Middle East, except Palestine/Israel has nearly as many Biblical associations as Jordan. Prophet Lot and his daughters escaped Sodom and Gomorrah and lived in a cave near Dead Sea, Prophet Moses looked across the Jordan Valley from Mount Nebo at the ‘Promised Land’ he would never see. Prophet Jesus was baptized in River Jordan at Bethany and not far from there Prophet Elijah ascended in a fiery chariot. I always tell visitors that in any place you put your foot in this country, the chances are very good that one of the holy men and women of the Bible and Qur’an walked in that very same spot.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">South of Amman, all the way down at the southeastern tip of the Dead Sea lies Biblical Zoar. It was here that Prophet Lot and his daughters lived after the Destruction. For the past thirty years archaeologists have been digging in that area and have discovered an astonishing array of religions and cultures, some dating back as far as the Early Bronze Age. Nabataeans, Jews, Christians are all represented there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Author Konstantinos Politis has published <i><a href="http://members.bib-arch.org/publication.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=38&Issue=2&ArticleID=3" target="_blank">Death at the Dead Sea</a></i> that what is quite possibly the largest graveyard in the ancient world is here at Zoar. So far, he has discovered that burials in Zoar go back as far as Early Bronze Age I-II (3100-2600 BCE). The Nabaetaeans came to the area around 2500 years later, burying their dead at Khirbet Qazone, about 25 km north of Zoar. Ancient burials, more than 5000 in all, have been found dating between 1<sup>st</sup> century BCE and 4<sup>th</sup> century CE. Jewish families began to inhabit the area then and set about farming and raising dates. A great many Jewish tombstones demonstrate their presence there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YAgfUfwT47s/T1nfLhvK6iI/AAAAAAAADFE/0HLlxeRwE-k/s1600/jewish-tombstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YAgfUfwT47s/T1nfLhvK6iI/AAAAAAAADFE/0HLlxeRwE-k/s1600/jewish-tombstone.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jewish Tombstone</td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Byzantine era (4<sup>th</sup> – 6<sup>th</sup> centuries CE) saw the rise of Christianity in the region of Zoar. They built a monastery near Lot’s cave and eventually the town became a major Bishopric. Literally hundreds of Greek-inscribed tombstones from the Byzantine era have been discovered. Sadly, a great many of the graves have been robbed and destroyed, but quite a large number have been found intact. More than 400 Greek and Aramaic that had been looted have been recovered by Politis and his team.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jpGnIdZE-Wk/T1nfKGSOqoI/AAAAAAAADE8/IPpYmNmP0e4/s1600/christian-tombstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jpGnIdZE-Wk/T1nfKGSOqoI/AAAAAAAADE8/IPpYmNmP0e4/s1600/christian-tombstone.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christian Tombstone</td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You can learn a great deal more about the ancient tombstones from Zoar at <i><a href="http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/" target="_blank">Biblical Archaeology Review</a></i>'s articles written by Steven Fine and Kalliope I Kritikakou-Nikolaropoulou's <i><a href="http://members.bib-arch.org/publication.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=38&Issue=2&ArticleID=5" target="_blank">Tales From Tombstones</a></i> in the March/April 2012 issue.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 14px;">*All photographs in this blogpost are from </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/" target="_blank">Biblical Archaeology Review</a></i></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-54246660835258100472012-01-19T13:31:00.000+02:002012-01-19T13:31:20.803+02:00New Yesterdays, Changed Tomorrows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h7pXLtcfE-I/Txf9n_TjbcI/AAAAAAAADEI/BeRkS4xIgjo/s1600/NewCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h7pXLtcfE-I/Txf9n_TjbcI/AAAAAAAADEI/BeRkS4xIgjo/s320/NewCover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This post is not about travel in the traditional sense. Our boy does travel, yes; but where he goes is completely different. Check out my newest book, <i><span style="color: red;">New Yesterdays, Changed Tomorrows</span></i> and see what young Jim is getting up to now.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">******</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Once upon a time there were three brothers growing up in the countryside just outside Piedmont, in northeast Alabama. One of these boys embarked on an adventure that might change not only his life and the lives of his family, but in the life of the United States of America.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One word from him can divide the nation, prevent many thousands of deaths and put the country on a completely new track. Will he resist the temptation or give in to the whisperings of his heart?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: red;">New Yesterdays, Changed Tomorrows</span></i> is a new book from your blogger, Jim Wright. You can learn how young Jim faces his challenge by going to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Yesterdays-Changed-Tomorrows-ebook/dp/B006Z8B38Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326952438&sr=8-1">http://www.amazon.com/New-Yesterdays-Changed-Tomorrows-ebook/dp/B006Z8B38Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326952438&sr=8-1</a> and purchasing the book for a mere $2.99, £1.95, €2.60! For less than a cuppa at Starbucks you can go look over his shoulder as he plunges into a life changing experience!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The book is on sale for Kindle. If you do not have a Kindle, free software is available at the Amazon.com website that will allow you to read it on your PC or laptop.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I hope you’ll get the book and enjoy it as much as I enjoyed telling the story for you!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-120591905235947312012-01-16T12:22:00.001+02:002012-01-16T12:26:04.374+02:00Martyr Memorial in Amman<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QlyXt3Lh-ag/TxP5zQd9SzI/AAAAAAAADEA/GxRtHPcY8o8/s1600/MartyrMemorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QlyXt3Lh-ag/TxP5zQd9SzI/AAAAAAAADEA/GxRtHPcY8o8/s320/MartyrMemorial.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black;">The Martyr Memorial in Amman, Jordan</span></td></tr>
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<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">In 1977 His Majesty, the late King Hussein ordered the establishment of a national memorial to soldiers who fell in the line of duty since the Great Arab Revolt of 1916-1919. The result was the Martyrs' Memorial, designed by Victor Adel Bisharat (1920-1996), enshrining the memory of those who gave their lives for their country. The structure was located at the summit of a pine-forested hill and is approached by a steep incline. Verses from the Holy Qur’an are inscribed on the walls of the shortened pyramid structure of white stone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The memorial begins with the Great Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire. The revolt, which included 100,000 Arabs united under the leadership of Sharif Hussein bin Ali, began on 10 June 1916. It was not a strictly Jordanian war. It was an Arab revolt against non-Arab occupation. One year later Aqaba was wrestled from Ottoman control, and on 25 January 1918 the Ottoman Empire was totally routed. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">A key target of the revolt was the relatively new Hejaz Railroad, which was the backbone of Ottoman communication. Interestingly, the exploits of “Lawrence of Arabia” (TE Lawrence, 1888-1935) and his attack on the railroad, as well as his famous role in fighting the Ottomans, is missing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Astonishingly enough, the Amman-Damascus segment of the Hejaz Railroad still carried passengers until very recently. Dingy, authentic trains departed Amman on Monday and Thursday at 0800 and returned later the same day. A trip to Mafraq on the Jordanian side of the border, without entry into Syria, can be a delightfully unique experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Abdullah bin Hussein next lead the Trans-Jordan, first as leader of the Emirate created in 1923, and later as King. In 1930 he appointed John Bagot Glubb (1897-1986) to establish the Desert Patrol. From 1939 until 1956 Glubb served as commander of the Arab Legion, the name given to the Jordanian army at the time. It was under his able leadership that the Legion fought against Israeli forces during their “War of Independence”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The museum houses models recreating 1948 battles in Bab El-Wad/Latrun. The Arab goal was to cut the communication and supply lines between besieged Jerusalem and Zionist forces in the Tel Aviv and Shefela areas. Another of the items in the memorial is a large painting (to the left of the entrance) depicting a fierce battle at Herod's Gate in 1948.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The years that followed saw repeated conflict with Israel. There were Jordanian successes as well as Israeli successes. Amongst the items on display in the museum are captured Israeli military rations and an IDF (Israeli Defense Force) rifle.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The Six Day War receives little treatment in the museum, but the 1968 Battle of Karameh is highlighted. The museum does not purport to be an academic chronology of military events. It is a memorial to the fallen, but in a wider sense it is an effort to remember the contribution of the fallen to the success of shaping the modern Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The Six Day War was a Jordanian military defeat. Karameh, a year later though, was the regaining of Jordanian pride.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">In the exhibition mention is also made of Jordanian troops dispatched to the Golan in 1973 and a 1975 border confrontation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">A visit to the Martyrs' Memorial is definitely recommended. It gives better understanding to the history of a country that has shown how differences can be resolved through negotiation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="background-color: black;">The museum is located in the Sport City Complex in Amman and can be easily reached by taxi or bus. The opening hours are 9 am to 4 pm Saturday through Thursday and the admission is free. The telephone number for the museum is <span class="skype_pnh_print_container_1326684973">+96265664240</span><span class="skype_pnh_container" dir="ltr" tabindex="-1"><span class="skype_pnh_mark"> begin_of_the_skype_highlighting</span> <span class="skype_pnh_highlighting_inactive_common" dir="ltr" skypeaction="skype_dropdown" title="Call this phone number in Jordan with Skype: +96265664240"><span class="skype_pnh_left_span" skypeaction="skype_dropdown" title="Skype actions"> </span><span class="skype_pnh_dropart_span" skypeaction="skype_dropdown" title="Skype actions"><span class="skype_pnh_dropart_flag_span" skypeaction="skype_dropdown" style="background-position: -2833px 1px !important;"> </span> </span><span class="skype_pnh_textarea_span"><span class="skype_pnh_text_span">+96265664240</span></span><span class="skype_pnh_right_span"> </span></span> <span class="skype_pnh_mark">end_of_the_skype_highlighting</span></span>.</span><span style="background-color: #fffefc;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-72450944196176245952011-11-14T16:37:00.000+02:002011-11-14T16:37:58.293+02:00His Majesty, King Hussein I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zwxnaQXYeUc/TsEnAI3Da3I/AAAAAAAADDo/5MERoSC-hdY/s1600/QueenNoorKingJordan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zwxnaQXYeUc/TsEnAI3Da3I/AAAAAAAADDo/5MERoSC-hdY/s320/QueenNoorKingJordan.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><b>King Hussein bin Talal 1935 – 1999</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Today is the birthday of His Majesty, King Hussein bin Talal, the fortieth generation direct descendant of Prophet Mohammad, who led his country through wars and *turmoil* and saw it become an oasis of peace and stability and inspired a spirit of openness, tolerance and compassion in the Middle East. Jordanians call him <i>Al-Malic Al-Insan</i>, The Humane King. His memory and legacy will serve as an example of guidance to the Kingdom of Jordan for many generations to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">On 14<sup>th</sup> November 1935, Prince Talal bin Abdullah and Princess Zein al-Sharaf bint Jamil presented the world with a new son. Having finished his elementary education in Amman, the young Prince attended Victoria College at Alexandria, Egypt and Harrow School in England. His military education was received at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in England.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">On 20<sup>th</sup> July 1951, Hussein was with his grandfather, King Abdullah when he was martyred at al-Aqsa mosque in al-Quds (Jerusalem) as they went in for regular Friday prayers. The King had recently given a medal to Hussein and insisted that he wear it. This medal saved the Prince from the bullet of the assassin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">On 11<sup>th</sup> August 1952 Hussein was proclaimed King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, succeeding his brother, King Talal. As he had not yet reached the age of majority, the kingdom was administered by Regency Council. Upon reaching the age of 18, according to the Islamic calendar, King Hussein ascended to the throne on 2<sup>nd</sup> May 1953. He guided the kingdom for 47 years. At the time of his death he was the longest serving head of state in the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TalJTWGhk9s/TsEm7iQp8sI/AAAAAAAADDQ/GwGalvtQWr4/s1600/col-5532a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TalJTWGhk9s/TsEm7iQp8sI/AAAAAAAADDQ/GwGalvtQWr4/s320/col-5532a.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">His Majesty worked tirelessly to build the kingdom and to raise the standard of living for all Jordanians. He concentrated, in the beginning on building an economic and industrial infrastructure to achieve that goal. The 1960s saw a network of highways built and the development of phosphate, potash and cement industries.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Between 1960 and 1996 the literacy rate of 33% was increased by 85.5% and water, sanitation and electricity, which had been available to only 10% of the population, was increased to a staggering 99% of households. Infant mortality declined more than 47% during his reign. Believing that the greatest asset of Jordan is her people, the King encouraged everyone, including the less fortunate, the disabled and the orphaned to achieve more for themselves and for their country.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The length and breadth of his reign was a struggle to promote peace in the Middle East. He was one of the main drafters of UNSC Resolution 242, calling for Israel to withdraw from the Arab lands occupied in the 1967 war. This resolution still stands as the benchmark for all peace negotiations. He further played a pivotal role in convening the Madrid Peace Conference. The Peace Treaty between Jordan and Israel, signed in </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1994 is a major step toward achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in this region.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">His Majesty’s peacemaking efforts did not end with the Palestine-Israel conflict. He worked to resolve disputes in all the Arab states, particularly in Iraq and Kuwait in 1990-91 and the Yemeni civil war.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Thanks to King Hussein’s leadership and guidance the Kingdom of Jordan is internationally recognized as having the most exemplary human rights record in the Middle East. His commitment to democracy, human rights and civil liberties has made Jordan a model state for the region. He appointed a Royal Commission in 1990 representing a cross-section of Jordanian political thought to draft a national charter. That charter serves until today as a guideline for democratic institutional and political pluralism in Jordan. The parliamentary elections in 1989, 1993 and 1997 were internationally accredited as among the freest and fairest in the history </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">of the Middle East.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">In his Speech from the Throne, opening the Thirteenth Parliament in 1997, His Majesty said <i>“The role of women today has become more important and crucial than at any other time. The Jordanian woman has excelled in the field of education and succeeded in different professions and contributions in various organizations. Her support of official efforts to serve society and develop the countryside has become stronger. She also began to take part in the political life, becoming an important pillar of the democratic structure. This is why we must all pay serious attention to some of the dangerous phenomena that remain a source of women’s suffering, and which – unfortunately – constitute an inhuman violation of their basic rights. The most serious and dangerous of those is the visible and hidden violence, which was the focus of many international conferences. This does not befit our Arab and Islamic society: the society of solidarity. It is a flagrant contradiction with our ongoing calls to preserve human dignity and all human rights.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Many books about His Majesty have been written, and he himself wrote three. In 1962 he wrote <i>Uneasy Lies the Head</i>, about his childhood and early years as King. In 1969 he penned <i>My War With Israel</i> and <i>Mon Metier de Roi.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kQQJGWluSSU/TsEm5bDQNXI/AAAAAAAADDI/M4it3ANip2E/s1600/41nO9zRAX4L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kQQJGWluSSU/TsEm5bDQNXI/AAAAAAAADDI/M4it3ANip2E/s320/41nO9zRAX4L.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The King was very well known round the world to Ham radio operators who readily recognized the friendly voice of “JY1”. Toward the end of his life King Hussein began surfing the web and learned to appreciate the power of the World Wide Web as a force for progress and understanding. One more aspect of his massive legacy is his directive to provide internet access to every Jordanian school.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Z8Nr7H5Yio/TsEm8ka1UQI/AAAAAAAADDY/ZgNr0on6Ass/s1600/jy1_king_hussein.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Z8Nr7H5Yio/TsEm8ka1UQI/AAAAAAAADDY/ZgNr0on6Ass/s320/jy1_king_hussein.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Twelve years after his passing His Majesty, King Hussein I is still missed. It’s a rare day that I go out and chat with friends and relatives that his name does not come up. His memory is still fresh in the mind of every Jordanian, and I suspect every Arab. Despite the fact that I came here ten years after his passing, I find that I too have learned an appreciation of and respect for his memory.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aINe2YekSvE/TsEm9IVi5CI/AAAAAAAADDg/uEHW3ba3EtY/s1600/King_Hussein_Jordan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aINe2YekSvE/TsEm9IVi5CI/AAAAAAAADDg/uEHW3ba3EtY/s320/King_Hussein_Jordan.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">May he rest in peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-84110849758116221112011-10-01T13:45:00.000+03:002011-10-01T13:45:10.080+03:00Jordan Hejaz Railway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1PvtY4TtyPE/TobjNLs6DFI/AAAAAAAAC_8/fNlE63PIHB8/s1600/loco5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1PvtY4TtyPE/TobjNLs6DFI/AAAAAAAAC_8/fNlE63PIHB8/s320/loco5.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love a train! Riding the train makes me nostalgic for a bygone era I sadly never knew. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wixyCR8FBwQ/TobjL6ihY3I/AAAAAAAAC_4/G30o_VmVyk4/s1600/JHR_Bahnhof_Amman1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wixyCR8FBwQ/TobjL6ihY3I/AAAAAAAAC_4/G30o_VmVyk4/s320/JHR_Bahnhof_Amman1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Hejaz Railway was built by the Ottomans between 1900 and 1908, mainly to make it easier to make the pilgrimages to the Muslim holy places in Saudi Arabia. As an added bonus, it gave the Ottoman Turks better control of their far-flung empire. The main line linked Damascus to Medina; a distance of 1,320 km. It passed through Transjordan in Az-Zarqa, Al-Qatranah, Amman and Ma’an before reaching northwestern Arabia the Hejaz region. It was built as an extension of the already existing line between Istanbul and Damascus. Construction fell short of the planned destination of Mecca when the outbreak of the First World War interrupted construction work just as it reached Medina. The primary purpose of the Hejaz railway was to establish a connection between Constantinople and Hejaz in Arabia, the site of the holiest shrines of Islam and the holy city of Mecca, the site of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pp4KFH2MEc4/TobjFte2gaI/AAAAAAAAC_0/r2E5i2y4TY4/s1600/BuidingTheHejazRailway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pp4KFH2MEc4/TobjFte2gaI/AAAAAAAAC_0/r2E5i2y4TY4/s320/BuidingTheHejazRailway.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xYqxcAK1ZCQ/TobmzHkbp8I/AAAAAAAADBU/ahiwtRawt5o/s1600/Palestine+_+Jordan+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xYqxcAK1ZCQ/TobmzHkbp8I/AAAAAAAADBU/ahiwtRawt5o/s320/Palestine+_+Jordan+map.jpg" width="237" /></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A pilgrimage from Damascus by camel required 40-50 days. As they progressed toward Medina and Mecca, the pilgrims faced many risks including robbery, floods and epidemics in addition to the difficulties and suffering one might expect from such a journey. Sultan Abdel Hamid made the decision to establish a rail line linking Damascus to the holy sites.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;">The railway replaced the ancient caravan route that was formerly used to transport goods to and from Damascus and Arabia. The unhappy caravan traders saw this new form of transport as a serious threat to their livelihoods, and they made many attempts to disrupt its construction.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JG4IuIMakFs/TobovzP00SI/AAAAAAAADBY/hcmCdhrWIg0/s1600/CaravanTraders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JG4IuIMakFs/TobovzP00SI/AAAAAAAADBY/hcmCdhrWIg0/s320/CaravanTraders.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
</span><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;">Construction, maintenance and security of the line required the services of some 5,000 Ottoman soldiers. The entire operation was enormously difficult, with unpredictable and often hostile local tribesmen, not to mention the difficult terrain. Some areas were very soft and sandy while others were solid rock. There were water shortages to contend with, and variations in the terrain itself made construction difficult. The extremely hot weather coupled with dust and sandstorms and the occasional flash floods washing away bridges and banks threatened the operation even more. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;">In September, 1900 the Sultan called for Muslims all over the world to collect donations for the construction of the railway. His call received enthusiastic response and support. The cost of the project was estimated at around 5 million Ottoman Golden Lire. In addition to donations, a special tax on all citizens to be served by the train and revenues from the sale of special Ottoman State stamps financed the new line. The costs were reduced by donations of materials from areas adjacent to the line, volunteer laborers, and the employment of members of the army.</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;">Within four years of completion in September 1908 the Hejaz Railway was seeing about 300,000 passengers a year. Not pilgrims only; the Turkish government had begun transporting troops and supplies. During the War (1914-18) a great many attempts were made to disrupt the line and slow the advancing Turkish Army.</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
</span><span class="bodytxt12px">The famous British military strategist, TE Lawrence working with the combined Arab forces mined the tracks and derailed several troop trains and carriages. As a result of their sabotage, the track between Ma’an (Jordan) and Medina (Arabia) was irreparably damaged.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="bodytxt12px" style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mfevEwQFJX4/TobjkQ0XUwI/AAAAAAAADBQ/tg_dQVf0UgI/s1600/WW1HejazLocomotive-KSA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mfevEwQFJX4/TobjkQ0XUwI/AAAAAAAADBQ/tg_dQVf0UgI/s320/WW1HejazLocomotive-KSA.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="bodytxt12px" style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="bodytxt12px" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;">At the end of the war, the operative sections of the railroad were taken over by the relevant Syrian, Palestinian and Transjordan governments. Here is an excellent clip about the Hejaz Railway: </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nj0oAP1jXs">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nj0oAP1jXs</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the railway never reopened south of the Jordan-Saudi Arabia border. An attempt was made in the mid 1960s, but was abandoned due to the Six Day War in 1967.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In 1952 the Hejaz Jordan Railway was founded and still administers the Jordanian line and invests its real estate properties.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bw6hampTxUA/TobjU8v_sFI/AAAAAAAADAc/rU6VXKltaOg/s1600/MahattaHejaz-Entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" height="189" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bw6hampTxUA/TobjU8v_sFI/AAAAAAAADAc/rU6VXKltaOg/s320/MahattaHejaz-Entrance.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Jordan Hejaz Railway Museum is located in the Mahatta district, about 2 km east of downtown. The opening hours are Sunday-Thursday 8 am to 2 pm. More information can be obtained by phoning +962 16 489 541 3.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today the Corporation operates regular passenger trips between Amman and Damascus on Mondays and Thursdays. The train leaves Amman at 8 am and returns from Damascus at 8 am. Trips via diesel trains for school students and families and tourist trips via steam locomotive are available. The passenger capacity on either of the trains is 350.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;">The southern portion of the railway is used solely by the Aqaba Railway Corporation whose only customer is Jordan Phosphate Mines Company. Phosphate, which is our largest export, is transported from the mines in El-Hasa, Al-Abyadh and Shidyia to Aqaba for shipping. Jordan is the third largest phosphate exporter in the world. Enjoy this video clip of the phosphate trains </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="bodytxt12px"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj_ABMz2kZ8&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj_ABMz2kZ8&feature=related</a></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="bodytxt12px" style="background-color: black;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z1x2whyDnxk/TobjjofeW7I/AAAAAAAADBM/5ZckbboSEH0/s1600/Wadi+Rum+train+2+%2528JC04+%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z1x2whyDnxk/TobjjofeW7I/AAAAAAAADBM/5ZckbboSEH0/s320/Wadi+Rum+train+2+%2528JC04+%2529.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="bodytxt12px"><br />
</span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-67227083213965860972011-08-15T12:52:00.000+03:002011-08-15T12:52:28.975+03:00Marvelous Madaba<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IDJ1VmSoYg4/TkjeIscyfGI/AAAAAAAAC8M/pbX1EgCeTng/s1600/IMG_1426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IDJ1VmSoYg4/TkjeIscyfGI/AAAAAAAAC8M/pbX1EgCeTng/s320/IMG_1426.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Moabite town of Madaba dates back some 3,500 years and is frequently referred to in the Old Testament. In those days it was known as Medeba and was mentioned in connection to Prophet Moses and the Exodus, as well as several others.<br />
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Numbers, chapter 21 describes the revenge taken by Israel on the entire country of Sihon. The Israelites sarcastically expressed compassion for the Moabites because their god, Chemosh failed to deliver them from the hands of their enemies. They then burned the cities of Heshbon, Dibon, Nopah and, in verse 30 "...We have destroyed even to Nopah, the fire did reach to Medeba".<br />
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As a descendant of Ruth, David may be said to have Moabite blood in his veins. He even sent his parents to the Moabite King when King Saul was on the rampage (1 Samuel 22:3,4). Good relations deteriorated, though and David waged war against the Moabites who lived around Madaba. King Mesha of Moab staged a rebellion against Israel. The biblical account and that of the Mesha Stele differ as to the outcome of the battle. Each side, naturally, claimed victory. Prophet Isaiah prophesied against Moab in the Moabite Oracles (Isaiah chapters 15, 16).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x3JiuAuQI-o/TkZbO1qhN8I/AAAAAAAAC8I/7o3foI72doI/s1600/MeshaStele.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x3JiuAuQI-o/TkZbO1qhN8I/AAAAAAAAC8I/7o3foI72doI/s320/MeshaStele.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Mesha Stele, now housed in the Louvre Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Madaba became a prosperous ecclesiastical center between the 4th and 7th centuries CE. One of the world's greatest Byzantine mosaic collections was produced here. Many of them are still very well preserved. Some of the church floor mosaics, most notably the Map Mosaic at St George Orthodox Church, can still be seen in their original locations. Others have been moved to the Madaba Archaeological Park for protection and display.<br />
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So now, you have a bit of background on Madaba. Last Friday Zeek and I decided to visit our friend, Geries Hamarneh who owns a hotel there. We were also joined by Rami and Jasmin. The front door of his place takes you directly into the restaurant, and what an astonishing place it is! Geries has had the place for a couple of years or so and did much of the restoration work himself. The building itself is quite old, as are most of the buildings in this street. The restaurant is rustic, cosy and inviting. We sat at the first table and I reclined on a couch as we enjoyed our excellent Turkish coffee. The waiter is no slouch as a coffee brewer! It was tasty and refreshing after a morning of nothing but American coffee at home and on the short drive to Madaba.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Queen Ayola Restaurant</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Geries, Ol' Big Jim, Jasmin, Rami</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Rami, Abozaky, Geries, Ol' Big Jim, Jasmin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Jasmin, Rami</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Geries, Ol' Big Jim</td></tr>
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After visiting awhile, Geries asked whether I'd been to the Shrine of the Beheading of John the Baptist. When I allowed that I hadn't been there, it was decided that I must see it straightaway. Turns out it was only a few steps us the steeply inclined street and it was well worth the walk!<br />
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Stepping through the gate, I was greeted by a row of ancient columns standing guard over the entryway. Beautiful succulent plants were interspersed between the columns and down on the cobbled pavement. One in particular caught my attention. Aunt Frances used to have one; she called it "Crocodile Tears". Well, you know Ol' Big Jim had to collect a few of the "tears" to bring home and plant! As we continued our walk inside I could't help being amused by the whimsical placement of 5-gallon "pickle buckets" holding palm trees perched atop each of the columns.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Ol' Big Jim goin' to church!</td></tr>
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The facade of the classic arched basilica design church is adorned by a mosaic (it's Madaba!) over the main door, stained glass made by Latroun Monks in 1958, with a cross attached at the top of the roof. The simplicity and clean lines of the church make it one of the most beautiful in the kingdom.<br />
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Have a look at this picture! The geranium is hugely popular over here and is usually planted outside, exhibiting enormous growth. I never saw such growth back in the states! This one though, must be the biggest one I've seen yet! Some of the blossoms were fading, but I can just imagine how beautiful it must be when it's in full bloom. I especially wanted Mother and Aunt Frances to see this.<br />
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Inside the little museum is a replica of the mosaic floor from the Church of St Stephen down in Umm Al-Rasas. Like the mosaic map down the street, this floor shows many of the towns of the ancient world such as Madaba, Jerusalem, Philadelphia (Amman) and others. The central field of the original mosaic did not survive the multiple earthquakes and the passage of time, so the artisans filled it in with some gorgeous designs in keeping with the character of the floor.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gp6Ir-SfJ2Y/TkZYEUhx-AI/AAAAAAAAC58/KeSZFC4r8yw/s1600/IMG_1411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gp6Ir-SfJ2Y/TkZYEUhx-AI/AAAAAAAAC58/KeSZFC4r8yw/s320/IMG_1411.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Reproduction of the floor of the Church of St Stephen in Umm al-Rasas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Standing in the nave of the church, looking at the main altar one cannot help feeling awed and maybe even a bit humbled by the beautiful craftsmanship evident in the Shrine. The mosaics, stained glass, statuary and vaulted ceilings urge reverence and quiet in this place of worship. Just for a second, I thought I was still a practicing Catholic and started looking about for the confessional. I managed to shake it off and we started making our way to the bell tower.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Climbing up and up and up...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I'm not sure just how tall the bell tower is, but Father Yacoub told me it is the highest structure in Madaba. Ninety-nine steps take one to the top. A series of stairs, both straight and curved (lighthouse style), and ladders led us upward past the bells and out onto the tiny, narrow balcony that surrounds the top. The commanding view of the countryside surrounding Madaba were breathtaking! The church sexton loaned us binoculars and a telescope to enhance our site seeing experience.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Geries, Jasmin, Rami</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">I was just lookin' back to see if you were lookin' back to see...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">A tight squeeze for Ol' Big Jim!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Had to take off my shoes to back down the ladder</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">I rang his bell!</td></tr>
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This wall is all that was left of one of the original houses of ancient Madaba; the traditional facade of the house of Ibrahim Twal was incorporated into the wall of the church entrance square. This, along with the ancient stone watering troughs, plants and trees create a quiet, serene spot that begs to be enjoyed. I believe I could easily have spent the entire day just sitting there, enjoying the solitude.<br />
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After the climb and descent from, the tower. Geries led us down under the church. Down two flights of stairs we found ourselves in a grotto of ancient arched rooms that is now the Acropolis Museum consisting of the grotto of the Beheading of St John the Baptist, a place of vows and an exhibition of the most significant Madaba mosaics. Down one more flight is an ancient Moabite well that's around 3,000 years old. We drew a bucket of some of the coldest, most refreshing water I ever had!<br />
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Following our visit, I met the parish Priest, Father Yacoub Rafidi. Father is a quiet, unassuming man with a scholarly, dignified persona. His warm eyes and smile make you know you are welcome in this place. After giving me a brief history of the Shrine, he told me that it is believed that there is a mosaic floor under the main altar of the church. Excavations will begin in December to determine what is there. This is exciting news and now I'm all in a dither to know what will be found. I'll definitely be paying return visits to check on the progress of the dig!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Jim, Fr Yacoub, Geries</td></tr>
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<br />
After that very interesting excursion, Zeek, Geries and I returned to Queen Ayola to have a bite to eat. Only one word is needed to describe that meal: OUTSTANDING!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Our chef, Bady</td></tr>
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You know me, though, I can't stop with just one word... Ba'donsieh is a dish I'd never had before. It consists of parsley in tahini and a bit of yogurt. It was unbelievably good. There were two chicken dishes; fajita and sajieh. This was also my first time for sajieh. It won't be the last! It's chicken and onions coked with spices. It was probably 7-spice, but I don't know that for sure...yet. I will be trying to get that recipe, though. The fajita was pure Mexican and beautifully done. This most excellent meal was rounded out with a crisp, tasty Greek salad, a wonderfully tart and tangy tabouleh salad and pita. Queen Ayola serves food fit for a king!<br />
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If you are reading this post, you really should consider coming to Jordan for a visit. The country is safe and secure and the natives are friendly and welcoming. A week or two spent here will afford you the opportunity to see many sites you have only read about in scripture and history. Zeek and I will be more than happy to arrange an itinerary for you that ensures you see everything possible!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/lyg1x_-MtUM/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lyg1x_-MtUM&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lyg1x_-MtUM&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>If you haven't taken the time to watch the video Zeek made, have a look at it right away. After watching it, contact us for a tour!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One more for Mother, Jenny and all the plant lovers</td></tr>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-72374800907559231642011-07-31T14:15:00.000+03:002011-07-31T14:15:44.448+03:00Gail Visits Jordan<div class="MsoNormal">Gail’s Visit To Jordan</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I never thought I’d see the day that a member of my very own family would actually travel across the Atlantic to visit us here in Jordan. I reckon if I had been pressed to make a guess who might be “most likely to visit” it would’ve been Gail. We’ve been close like brother and sister all our lives. We've shared adventures, joys and tragedies. We have the battle scars to prove it, but the spirit is indomitable. We have argued, fought, disagreed, made up, apologized, and everything in between. We've shared secrets, dreams and plans. Much time was spent together and much time apart, but through it all, the familial love never ebbed or waned.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A couple of months ago Gail contacted me to say she wanted to visit. From that moment the excitement began to build. Zeek and I made plans and plans within plans to ensure she had a good visit. The morning she arrived (01:55) we were all smiles! Almost every day we planned the things she "absolutely must" see as well as the things we wanted her to see.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Three days after her arrival, we celebrated Gail’s birthday with a gorgeous strawberry mousse cake. A couple of days later the family came with a chocolate birthday cake to celebrate again. Gail allowed that was the best cake she’d ever had in her mouth! Zeek's Mother brought gifts and Gail gave her a dress.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">The day after Gail's birthday was mine and we went to Fuddrucker’s for dinner and of course Herself and Zeek conspired with the wait staff to bring me a dessert and sing “Happy Birthday” to me. I promised to kick both their asses, but haven’t gotten round to that yet. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our first real excursion with Gail was to the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ. She wanted to be baptised in the very same place that Jesus was baptised.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him... And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (St Matthew 3.13-17 KJV)</i></div><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Zeek and I were a little worried about the trip to Petra. The temperature topped out at around 115F or so, but you can see from the photographs that Gail was a trooper! I ran ahead of the two of them as I wanted to capture her reaction when she got her first glimpse of Petra at the end of the Siq. It was classic! Her mouth dropped open, her hand flew to her bosom and she gasped in pure awe. It was a beautiful moment. No matter how many times you visit Petra, that first sight of Kazhneh is always breathtaking.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our Cousin’s first camel ride was another beautiful experience. After inspecting the camel, Gail climbed aboard with the able assistance of the camel-handler. Her expression as the camel rose was priceless!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">I had been warned prior to her arrival that Gail was olympic-class in the art of shopping. Nothing could have adequately prepared me for her shopping prowess! She can (and does) haggle with the best of them. She has declared several times that she may need a ship just to take her purchases back to America! She just may be right... Here are a few shots of her shopping at Wadi Mousa.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X2p7q7V4rI8/TjUYRXl29QI/AAAAAAAAC04/gFG6Z2EP8RA/s1600/DSCF0717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X2p7q7V4rI8/TjUYRXl29QI/AAAAAAAAC04/gFG6Z2EP8RA/s320/DSCF0717.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Wadi Mousa is the place where Allah instructed Prophet Moses to command the rock to give water. Moses struck the rock with his stick and water burst forth. To this very day Moses’ Spring flows from that rock, giving pure, sweet, cold water.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SglLDUFGWgk/TjUX7I7Ij0I/AAAAAAAAC0s/m0_ZxzzzQMU/s1600/DSCF0705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SglLDUFGWgk/TjUX7I7Ij0I/AAAAAAAAC0s/m0_ZxzzzQMU/s320/DSCF0705.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">And here endeth the <i>Chronicles of an Alabama Girl in Jordan's Holy Land</i>, but stay tuned for the further adventures of our intrepid tourist as she walks where the Holy Men and Women walked, lived, performed their miracles and left their marks on humanity.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-78792356699786907392011-07-21T15:09:00.000+03:002011-07-21T15:09:46.577+03:00Y'all Come See Us In Jordan...Enjoy this beautifully made video Zeek made for his tourism class.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/lyg1x_-MtUM/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lyg1x_-MtUM&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lyg1x_-MtUM&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
If this doesn't make you want to see the Holy Land, nothing will!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-88921325852027937952011-07-20T23:16:00.000+03:002011-07-20T23:16:19.576+03:00Some Thoughts As Ramadan Approaches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Rdel0joC2k/Tic1EG_gH3I/AAAAAAAACzc/Pa7ooaUj1xA/s1600/RamadanMoonKingHusseinBinTalalMosque-Amman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Rdel0joC2k/Tic1EG_gH3I/AAAAAAAACzc/Pa7ooaUj1xA/s320/RamadanMoonKingHusseinBinTalalMosque-Amman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>The Spirit of Ramadan<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It was during this month that Allah gave the Prophet Mohammad the verses of the holy book, Qur’an. Muslims pray daily at all times, but during Ramadan the <i>taraweeh</i>, or Ramadan night prayer has additional importance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to scripture, “Whoever observes night prayer in Ramadan as an expression of his faith and to seek reward from Allah, his previous sins will be blotted out.” So, the Ramadan nightly prayer, after a day of fasting serves the purpose of erasing the sins that have been previously committed. During this month Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink, intimate relations, ill will, bad talk and actions or any temptations from dawn to dusk. This holy month was given to bring moderation into our lives. The spirit and intent of Ramadan is in the human transformation in a month-long inner spiritual journey of finding oneself in tune with spirituality. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hvGcap7zVTQ/Tic0_cWALbI/AAAAAAAACy8/DvO2hMo4lTg/s1600/HMKingAbdullahPraying-Ramadan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hvGcap7zVTQ/Tic0_cWALbI/AAAAAAAACy8/DvO2hMo4lTg/s320/HMKingAbdullahPraying-Ramadan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His Majesty, King Abdullah at Ramadan Prayers</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) taught that God has no need for the hunger or thirst of someone who hurts others, violates their dignity or usurps their rights. Fasting alone is not enough. The eyes, ears, tongue, hands and feet all have their fasts. For example, temptations of the tongue like lies, slander, vulgarity and senseless arguments must be curbed in order to maintain the integrity of the fast.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DxbcnRyX3eA/Tic1Asyp3_I/AAAAAAAACzE/VndvJqxx8pk/s1600/PrayersAlHusseiniMosque-Amman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DxbcnRyX3eA/Tic1Asyp3_I/AAAAAAAACzE/VndvJqxx8pk/s320/PrayersAlHusseiniMosque-Amman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prayers at Al-Husseini Mosque, Amman</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Ramadan becomes a true source of peace and solace when the fasting of the heart focuses on the attachment to the divine. The most profound dimensions of fasting are consciousness of behavior and vigilance over action. <i>Niyyah</i>, or “<i>intention</i>” is one of the most important aspects of fasting. Intention is not achieved by merely abstaining from food and drink, but must <i>“intend in [his] heart that [the fast] is meant to be a worship for Allah alone.”</i> Therefore, fasting for dietary or political reasons does not achieve niyyah. According to scripture <i>“Whoever does not make niyyah before dawn, would not have fasted.”</i> It can be said that the intention to fast is at least as important as the fast itself.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Knowing about hunger and knowing hunger are two different things. The hardness in our hearts frequently springs from our distance from the condition of others. Rarely do we walk a mile in the shoes of the poor, sick, and oppressed. One teacher admonished <i>“Rest assured, if you do not taste what it feels like to be hungry, you will not care for those who are.”</i> The fast reminds Muslims of the suffering of the poor and reinforces the importance of charity during Ramadan.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For thirty days, we will rise around 4 am and prepare the meal called <i>sohour</i>. Everyone will participate. About 5 minutes before sunrise everyone will finish the last bit of food and last sip of water. Afterwards, Morning Prayer at home or at Mosque before beginning the activities of the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OSAJrtGym9M/Tic1Hf_NOdI/AAAAAAAACzw/Xz7y8ywq7Fw/s1600/ramadan-tea-and-dates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OSAJrtGym9M/Tic1Hf_NOdI/AAAAAAAACzw/Xz7y8ywq7Fw/s320/ramadan-tea-and-dates.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">For the duration of the day we will abstain from food, water and anything detrimental to our self-discipline. In the afternoon and late afternoon everyone will gather for prayers and wait for sunset to break the fast. The fast is broken by eating a few dates and drinking some water or sweet drinks to give a boost of energy. <i>Iftar</i>, the breaking of the fast, is a familial and community event and it is a rich meal. Any type of food can be eaten, but the dessert almost always includes <i>knaffe</i> or <i>qattayef</i>. Knaffe is a cake made of wheat, sugar, honey, raisins and nuts. Qatayef is similar, but smaller and folded to encase the nuts and raisins. Between iftar and sohour Muslims may eat freely. Muslim and non-Muslim friends are invited to come round to help celebrate the day. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CTiisx5S9uE/Tic1GxZ7qAI/AAAAAAAACzs/KhN-nFlIUFQ/s1600/RamadanQatayyef-Amman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CTiisx5S9uE/Tic1GxZ7qAI/AAAAAAAACzs/KhN-nFlIUFQ/s320/RamadanQatayyef-Amman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making qattayef, Amman</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mBRwp0dojg/Tic1EU2kk5I/AAAAAAAACzg/gHeZaG_TW2E/s1600/Ramadan-Nablus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mBRwp0dojg/Tic1EU2kk5I/AAAAAAAACzg/gHeZaG_TW2E/s320/Ramadan-Nablus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing Ramadan sweets, Amman</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">On the 29<sup>th</sup> or 30<sup>th</sup> day, depending on the moon sighting, the fasting ends in celebration. Everyone gathers in an open area and pray the prayer of thanksgiving for having a blessed Ramadan. Ramadan is only 30 days, but its spirit should last a lifetime. We should always hunger to discover our hearts, aspire to balance, connect with our fellow man and open our hearts and minds to our fellow human beings. The joy that comes from that will be ours forever.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At the end of Ramadan, before breaking the fast Muslims say <i>takbeer</i>. Takbeer is a statement that nothing in the world is bigger than Allah. Loosely translated it is <i>“Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the greatest. There is no god worthy of worship but Allah, and Allah is greatest. Allah is the Greatest and all praise is due to Allah.”</i> Takbeer signifies that Eid Al-Fitr has begun.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Eid al-Fitr<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Ramadan is the most joyous month of the year and ends with the breaking of the fast, <i>Eid al-Fitr</i>. Eid is celebrated with lights and decorations. Streets, mosques and homes are decorated. During the celebration people dress in their finest clothes, decorate their homes with lights, give treats to the children and visit friends and family. The sense of gratitude and generosity are important parts of Ramadan. At the end of the fasting Muslims are left with the many benefits of Ramadan. According to tradition, Ramadan:</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span>Strengthen’s ones ties with Allah and trains the soul to observe duties of devotion in accordance with the teachings of Holy Qur'an.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span>Enforces patience and determination.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span>Promotes the principle of sincerity by keeping the individual away from arrogance and showing off.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span>Promotes good character, particularly truthfulness and trustworthiness.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span>Encourages the individual to do away with bad habits and change his or her circumstances for the better.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span>Enhances generosity, hospitality and giving to charity.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span>Reinforces feelings of unity and brotherhood among Muslims.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span>Instills orderliness and observance of the value of time.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span>Serves as an opportunity for children to perform acts of obedience and to practice Islamic acts of worship.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span>Offers the chance to balance one’s attention to both physical and spiritual needs.</li>
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<div class="MsoNormal">Ramadan gives more than a cleansing of the body and mind. We become closer to Allah through prayer and become more compassionate by experiencing hunger and learning about the suffering of the poor.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ramadan Kareem, Y'all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IzJTIRO2qUA/Tic0-QpoGmI/AAAAAAAACy4/-F97VKYsNgw/s1600/ClayRamadanLanterns-GazaCity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IzJTIRO2qUA/Tic0-QpoGmI/AAAAAAAACy4/-F97VKYsNgw/s320/ClayRamadanLanterns-GazaCity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tpoHY279M3g/Tic1B6urUjI/AAAAAAAACzQ/lD-VjzbCjLU/s1600/RamadanDates-Amman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tpoHY279M3g/Tic1B6urUjI/AAAAAAAACzQ/lD-VjzbCjLU/s320/RamadanDates-Amman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-56402655148482691062011-07-16T21:11:00.000+03:002011-07-16T21:11:47.120+03:00Flora of JordanTwo posts in one day! This is some kind of record, I think. I've been working on this one for some time; gathering and making pictures of flowers and plants wherever I go. Not many words for this post, but many, many pictures. I hope the ones of you who enjoy flowers will enjoy this post.<br />
<br />
Thinking of the Middle East conjures visions of vast desert landscapes. However, Jordan has many plant species. Flowers are in evidence year round and it's a real joy to stumble upon one and photograph it. Enjoy!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6zGPtzMvfM/TiG3NgOfJyI/AAAAAAAACuI/I5WkMz1DRAo/s1600/BlackIris001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6zGPtzMvfM/TiG3NgOfJyI/AAAAAAAACuI/I5WkMz1DRAo/s1600/BlackIris001.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Black Iris, national flower of Jordan</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRg7jfUYjHc/TiG3NwVin_I/AAAAAAAACuM/f-RwMe6rFPM/s1600/BlackIris002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRg7jfUYjHc/TiG3NwVin_I/AAAAAAAACuM/f-RwMe6rFPM/s1600/BlackIris002.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4pcIjxMnrWY/TiG3Of2IlWI/AAAAAAAACuQ/oiTDUItxM60/s1600/BlackIris003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4pcIjxMnrWY/TiG3Of2IlWI/AAAAAAAACuQ/oiTDUItxM60/s1600/BlackIris003.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhOFSP3n6Pc/TiG11qP2RPI/AAAAAAAACs0/ulk0hWevPJE/s1600/28062010752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhOFSP3n6Pc/TiG11qP2RPI/AAAAAAAACs0/ulk0hWevPJE/s320/28062010752.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WiaNaX_CyFs/TiG1-A9pjLI/AAAAAAAACs4/CKXVulbJTuk/s1600/28062010762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WiaNaX_CyFs/TiG1-A9pjLI/AAAAAAAACs4/CKXVulbJTuk/s320/28062010762.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Date palm</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-azwd1AppEXw/TiG2BkIbDRI/AAAAAAAACs8/Dkf686JnHl0/s1600/040720111868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-azwd1AppEXw/TiG2BkIbDRI/AAAAAAAACs8/Dkf686JnHl0/s320/040720111868.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried seed pod in Jerash</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eHT8UvZmSpI/TiG2Tnj0DCI/AAAAAAAACtM/B9-Y2-5h2tU/s1600/200120111259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eHT8UvZmSpI/TiG2Tnj0DCI/AAAAAAAACtM/B9-Y2-5h2tU/s320/200120111259.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h_knuJXGofw/TiG2elKHa7I/AAAAAAAACtU/z9J_SRav4tk/s1600/200120111293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h_knuJXGofw/TiG2elKHa7I/AAAAAAAACtU/z9J_SRav4tk/s320/200120111293.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A6Emi9SYrTM/TiG2iqJSiSI/AAAAAAAACtY/kSLzxd0HS_I/s1600/200120111305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A6Emi9SYrTM/TiG2iqJSiSI/AAAAAAAACtY/kSLzxd0HS_I/s320/200120111305.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8zyIr9uGvzQ/TiG2pkyxGcI/AAAAAAAACtc/mPx_sZKnYhA/s1600/260320111634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8zyIr9uGvzQ/TiG2pkyxGcI/AAAAAAAACtc/mPx_sZKnYhA/s320/260320111634.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each time I see this photo it makes me think it's a grave</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4NjKftbxY4g/TiG233pSp_I/AAAAAAAACts/PEocfytPLf8/s1600/290320111705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4NjKftbxY4g/TiG233pSp_I/AAAAAAAACts/PEocfytPLf8/s320/290320111705.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lgYM6yM021o/TiG21iTWMyI/AAAAAAAACto/qC4mKTUY0IE/s1600/290320111702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lgYM6yM021o/TiG21iTWMyI/AAAAAAAACto/qC4mKTUY0IE/s320/290320111702.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jhTVmuDuxmk/TiG2yihJlBI/AAAAAAAACtk/BSKwW1vcOZk/s1600/290320111692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jhTVmuDuxmk/TiG2yihJlBI/AAAAAAAACtk/BSKwW1vcOZk/s320/290320111692.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nNPKG5K6xMg/TiG2uTXQAwI/AAAAAAAACtg/oHvEPrbcYEw/s1600/260320111635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nNPKG5K6xMg/TiG2uTXQAwI/AAAAAAAACtg/oHvEPrbcYEw/s320/260320111635.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XiDGCFdYpv8/TiG2-bzK4HI/AAAAAAAACtw/_H-qa2M2UC4/s1600/290320111708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XiDGCFdYpv8/TiG2-bzK4HI/AAAAAAAACtw/_H-qa2M2UC4/s320/290320111708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SwmDBuyUU14/TiG3GPfpg8I/AAAAAAAACt0/NHbsMWOoics/s1600/310320111741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SwmDBuyUU14/TiG3GPfpg8I/AAAAAAAACt0/NHbsMWOoics/s320/310320111741.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poppy field at Iraq al-Ameer</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D9yXPJuZC3g/TiG3LdDnzQI/AAAAAAAACt4/wgpPg6qbdts/s1600/310320111744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D9yXPJuZC3g/TiG3LdDnzQI/AAAAAAAACt4/wgpPg6qbdts/s320/310320111744.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cXYHI8mJiLg/TiG3MdRv8bI/AAAAAAAACt8/qGnEgqddqR0/s1600/AleppoPine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cXYHI8mJiLg/TiG3MdRv8bI/AAAAAAAACt8/qGnEgqddqR0/s320/AleppoPine.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pine</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TluLKbbpzyM/TiG3NLa3ylI/AAAAAAAACuE/M_dpowm9NEg/s1600/AppleOfSodom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TluLKbbpzyM/TiG3NLa3ylI/AAAAAAAACuE/M_dpowm9NEg/s1600/AppleOfSodom.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0b41a-BNwro/TiG3MwuDhoI/AAAAAAAACuA/eeD4-WyxvT0/s1600/Anemone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0b41a-BNwro/TiG3MwuDhoI/AAAAAAAACuA/eeD4-WyxvT0/s1600/Anemone.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3bGQbp1r-LA/TiG3O_olQfI/AAAAAAAACuU/GXTNl00GYxg/s1600/Caper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3bGQbp1r-LA/TiG3O_olQfI/AAAAAAAACuU/GXTNl00GYxg/s320/Caper.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carob</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5IFKfO0stPM/TiG3Poion4I/AAAAAAAACuY/RQ__aA9QQZY/s1600/DatePalm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5IFKfO0stPM/TiG3Poion4I/AAAAAAAACuY/RQ__aA9QQZY/s1600/DatePalm.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABH4KfMlMyE/TiG3QLvpVcI/AAAAAAAACuc/5armr2sT11g/s1600/DesertBroomrape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABH4KfMlMyE/TiG3QLvpVcI/AAAAAAAACuc/5armr2sT11g/s1600/DesertBroomrape.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F8q2plmvvFM/TiG3QqsynII/AAAAAAAACug/Uw2jXokWHOw/s1600/EdomIris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F8q2plmvvFM/TiG3QqsynII/AAAAAAAACug/Uw2jXokWHOw/s1600/EdomIris.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNGm1lveTds/TiG3SbdI1dI/AAAAAAAACuw/i71soz4z_S4/s1600/FlameTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNGm1lveTds/TiG3SbdI1dI/AAAAAAAACuw/i71soz4z_S4/s1600/FlameTree.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flame Tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dKFQlDLp87w/TiG3SCynfpI/AAAAAAAACus/GmavkKhdbqU/s1600/Fern_Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dKFQlDLp87w/TiG3SCynfpI/AAAAAAAACus/GmavkKhdbqU/s320/Fern_Large.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very rare fern, thought for decades to be extinct</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SzLfXjmBK80/TiG3RTCqMkI/AAAAAAAACuo/vZBykfbtKhQ/s1600/EyeOfSunTulip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SzLfXjmBK80/TiG3RTCqMkI/AAAAAAAACuo/vZBykfbtKhQ/s1600/EyeOfSunTulip.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ykv14EiQ3k/TiG3Qx1HEFI/AAAAAAAACuk/KyU-_g8KbC4/s1600/EgyptianPalm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ykv14EiQ3k/TiG3Qx1HEFI/AAAAAAAACuk/KyU-_g8KbC4/s1600/EgyptianPalm.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_f2NybiiTBY/TiG3SpPB_gI/AAAAAAAACu0/frty7giEWK4/s1600/FlameTreeBlossom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_f2NybiiTBY/TiG3SpPB_gI/AAAAAAAACu0/frty7giEWK4/s1600/FlameTreeBlossom.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jhsV4QHaIwo/TiG3Tc1E6MI/AAAAAAAACu4/CPjHla9kLfA/s1600/Flora2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jhsV4QHaIwo/TiG3Tc1E6MI/AAAAAAAACu4/CPjHla9kLfA/s320/Flora2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U1oofrji9-o/TiG3Tzz6aYI/AAAAAAAACu8/YZIqyQVC0OU/s1600/Flora-074-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U1oofrji9-o/TiG3Tzz6aYI/AAAAAAAACu8/YZIqyQVC0OU/s1600/Flora-074-2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIluEzldSso/TiG3VJNzxMI/AAAAAAAACvI/D-3ypUF7Uys/s1600/hh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIluEzldSso/TiG3VJNzxMI/AAAAAAAACvI/D-3ypUF7Uys/s320/hh.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow in Amman, 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-THO153Z5qcc/TiG6DgaoYEI/AAAAAAAACv0/MnEBCfGqDIs/s1600/IMG_0820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-THO153Z5qcc/TiG6DgaoYEI/AAAAAAAACv0/MnEBCfGqDIs/s320/IMG_0820.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olives</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YUaH6ubBjnY/TiG8f0BOk9I/AAAAAAAACwg/J49q3WiKNnI/s1600/IMG_0892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YUaH6ubBjnY/TiG8f0BOk9I/AAAAAAAACwg/J49q3WiKNnI/s320/IMG_0892.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2QycUQEtOo4/TiG9K6ii18I/AAAAAAAACww/jTwsR3dbaVY/s1600/IMG_1168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2QycUQEtOo4/TiG9K6ii18I/AAAAAAAACww/jTwsR3dbaVY/s320/IMG_1168.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cactus in Umm Qais</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e5HOnn_Z7BI/TiG82rdmKNI/AAAAAAAACwo/af-HBi9PO58/s1600/IMG_1164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e5HOnn_Z7BI/TiG82rdmKNI/AAAAAAAACwo/af-HBi9PO58/s320/IMG_1164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9kW5VbH-Je0/TiG8sjeUMaI/AAAAAAAACwk/LzTDPJy8y-c/s1600/IMG_0897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9kW5VbH-Je0/TiG8sjeUMaI/AAAAAAAACwk/LzTDPJy8y-c/s320/IMG_0897.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honeysuckle</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xeidimT8mWA/TiG9ciKJAWI/AAAAAAAACw8/d0vePfOOCl4/s1600/IMG_1191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xeidimT8mWA/TiG9ciKJAWI/AAAAAAAACw8/d0vePfOOCl4/s320/IMG_1191.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agave</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_A7nzs6j4g/TiG9hrgOneI/AAAAAAAACxA/qKlAFZKfWys/s1600/IMG_1214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_A7nzs6j4g/TiG9hrgOneI/AAAAAAAACxA/qKlAFZKfWys/s320/IMG_1214.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EPByxz9-rlQ/TiG9yfZgJII/AAAAAAAACxQ/86-4GEbhMWk/s1600/JordanRiver003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EPByxz9-rlQ/TiG9yfZgJII/AAAAAAAACxQ/86-4GEbhMWk/s320/JordanRiver003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forests around River Jordan, near the Baptism Site</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gakv-OcUIrk/TiG9uBfeodI/AAAAAAAACxM/Qwk72dStAE8/s1600/JordanRiver002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gakv-OcUIrk/TiG9uBfeodI/AAAAAAAACxM/Qwk72dStAE8/s320/JordanRiver002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OtUoPN9sQ98/TiG9piVvuNI/AAAAAAAACxI/qX1fM1y-Ka8/s1600/JordanRiver001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OtUoPN9sQ98/TiG9piVvuNI/AAAAAAAACxI/qX1fM1y-Ka8/s320/JordanRiver001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zh3jDO_5x6o/TiG9lpidzOI/AAAAAAAACxE/Bu_0VCKb_o0/s1600/IMG_1215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zh3jDO_5x6o/TiG9lpidzOI/AAAAAAAACxE/Bu_0VCKb_o0/s320/IMG_1215.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U3S43KA9Poc/TiG92XT7bLI/AAAAAAAACxU/Z1rO5xjqswM/s1600/JordanRiverPines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U3S43KA9Poc/TiG92XT7bLI/AAAAAAAACxU/Z1rO5xjqswM/s320/JordanRiverPines.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SLpbkdTePs/TiG921x7rII/AAAAAAAACxY/50PRwmq8HKs/s1600/Mistletoe001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SLpbkdTePs/TiG921x7rII/AAAAAAAACxY/50PRwmq8HKs/s1600/Mistletoe001.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mistletoe</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtHKz_Xwi6A/TiG93Wo0lvI/AAAAAAAACxc/BYU4a4eZHnc/s1600/Mistletoe002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtHKz_Xwi6A/TiG93Wo0lvI/AAAAAAAACxc/BYU4a4eZHnc/s1600/Mistletoe002.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mistletoe</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_OoYtlqmeRo/TiG930fZdcI/AAAAAAAACxg/k2yxxQI5wmo/s1600/Mistletoe003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_OoYtlqmeRo/TiG930fZdcI/AAAAAAAACxg/k2yxxQI5wmo/s1600/Mistletoe003.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mistletoe</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DV1t_h_zBUY/TiG95ke_Q-I/AAAAAAAACxw/GRtCLDJJvZY/s1600/Saltbush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DV1t_h_zBUY/TiG95ke_Q-I/AAAAAAAACxw/GRtCLDJJvZY/s1600/Saltbush.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EwBc8eyiSJE/TiG95dSZWTI/AAAAAAAACxs/YxZZTq3P-90/s1600/QueenAnnesLace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EwBc8eyiSJE/TiG95dSZWTI/AAAAAAAACxs/YxZZTq3P-90/s1600/QueenAnnesLace.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A favorite of my Ol' Darlin' Friend, Joann Wallace; Queen Anne's Lace</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WIbeiZmSd_8/TiG949JoGPI/AAAAAAAACxo/yW__Q0aZMj4/s1600/Pella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WIbeiZmSd_8/TiG949JoGPI/AAAAAAAACxo/yW__Q0aZMj4/s320/Pella.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TVMLAVKOX_I/TiG94dlADnI/AAAAAAAACxk/cSNCuWIrGho/s1600/Oleander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TVMLAVKOX_I/TiG94dlADnI/AAAAAAAACxk/cSNCuWIrGho/s1600/Oleander.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5U6e7B2jMSI/TiG96F_pJFI/AAAAAAAACx0/vW3KyI48mj0/s1600/SeaSquill-SeaOnion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5U6e7B2jMSI/TiG96F_pJFI/AAAAAAAACx0/vW3KyI48mj0/s1600/SeaSquill-SeaOnion.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Onion</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Var-3wY82Y0/TiG96dRJ3NI/AAAAAAAACx4/zHMF_KdYLtY/s1600/Seed5_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Var-3wY82Y0/TiG96dRJ3NI/AAAAAAAACx4/zHMF_KdYLtY/s1600/Seed5_1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DcR0YXh0P18/TiG96kDUfeI/AAAAAAAACx8/ZtpgHdPSKKA/s1600/Seed6_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DcR0YXh0P18/TiG96kDUfeI/AAAAAAAACx8/ZtpgHdPSKKA/s1600/Seed6_1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gqf4PkRMPnk/TiG97IeNFmI/AAAAAAAACyA/8D4v5eLQyXQ/s1600/Seed7_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gqf4PkRMPnk/TiG97IeNFmI/AAAAAAAACyA/8D4v5eLQyXQ/s1600/Seed7_3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ibC6bI_r8W8/TiG99fIEXII/AAAAAAAACyQ/IoEiw4mjJOQ/s1600/Tree2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ibC6bI_r8W8/TiG99fIEXII/AAAAAAAACyQ/IoEiw4mjJOQ/s1600/Tree2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_SPIu4Q743Y/TiG99KnjhWI/AAAAAAAACyM/pLvjv55hzSE/s1600/Tree1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_SPIu4Q743Y/TiG99KnjhWI/AAAAAAAACyM/pLvjv55hzSE/s320/Tree1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sq0v1p__QKg/TiG98wYbylI/AAAAAAAACyI/WkNDTH9u024/s1600/SyrianAcanthus-BearsBreeches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sq0v1p__QKg/TiG98wYbylI/AAAAAAAACyI/WkNDTH9u024/s1600/SyrianAcanthus-BearsBreeches.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QGONBsFvJHQ/TiG98fZozjI/AAAAAAAACyE/cBCyvno9Sws/s1600/Seeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QGONBsFvJHQ/TiG98fZozjI/AAAAAAAACyE/cBCyvno9Sws/s320/Seeds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sVFak385GPo/TiG996oxsWI/AAAAAAAACyU/yXSamycmvOU/s1600/Tulip001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sVFak385GPo/TiG996oxsWI/AAAAAAAACyU/yXSamycmvOU/s1600/Tulip001.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tulip</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OEALmVG5-Mc/TiG9-autzRI/AAAAAAAACyY/IrNvRXkYDOY/s1600/Tulip002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OEALmVG5-Mc/TiG9-autzRI/AAAAAAAACyY/IrNvRXkYDOY/s1600/Tulip002.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tulip</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rXDNmB4NzEU/TiG-AcFYA4I/AAAAAAAACyc/2GgSUDslc3w/s1600/Tulip003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rXDNmB4NzEU/TiG-AcFYA4I/AAAAAAAACyc/2GgSUDslc3w/s1600/Tulip003.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tulip - There are around 18 varieties of tulips that grow wild in Jordan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPJls0pLXio/TiG-AhpumBI/AAAAAAAACyg/4P6fsn8PoKo/s1600/VineOfSodom-BitterApple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPJls0pLXio/TiG-AhpumBI/AAAAAAAACyg/4P6fsn8PoKo/s1600/VineOfSodom-BitterApple.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple of Sodom</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5a8Xau9VM-Y/TiG-BD6QIhI/AAAAAAAACyk/ZlGzboI8fvs/s1600/VioletLarkspur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5a8Xau9VM-Y/TiG-BD6QIhI/AAAAAAAACyk/ZlGzboI8fvs/s1600/VioletLarkspur.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WBd1EqPXMhc/TiG-CddGNTI/AAAAAAAACyw/5smyq7GyWE8/s1600/WildLily-TartarLily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WBd1EqPXMhc/TiG-CddGNTI/AAAAAAAACyw/5smyq7GyWE8/s1600/WildLily-TartarLily.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l54U64UBUPI/TiG-B4HRtbI/AAAAAAAACys/h3h08IlE9sU/s1600/WildJujube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l54U64UBUPI/TiG-B4HRtbI/AAAAAAAACys/h3h08IlE9sU/s1600/WildJujube.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOnta2qy_lA/TiG-Bsmn_7I/AAAAAAAACyo/UcMSunwt0Hg/s1600/WadiRum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOnta2qy_lA/TiG-Bsmn_7I/AAAAAAAACyo/UcMSunwt0Hg/s320/WadiRum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-87396661793380586902011-07-16T13:22:00.000+03:002011-07-16T13:22:23.668+03:00Islamic Jordan<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rf-wn_K6vgg/TiFlBOaSTyI/AAAAAAAACso/DhL8Of3aTUc/s1600/im05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rf-wn_K6vgg/TiFlBOaSTyI/AAAAAAAACso/DhL8Of3aTUc/s320/im05.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;"><span class="hps" title="Click for alternate translations">لا إله</span> <span class="hps" title="Click for alternate translations">إلا الله وأن</span> <span class="hps" title="Click for alternate translations">محمدا</span> <span class="hps" title="Click for alternate translations">رسول</span> <span class="hps" title="Click for alternate translations">الله</span></span> (There is no god but Allah and Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah)</td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8x0dzl2ehxY/TiFdwJzl77I/AAAAAAAACrs/mLqv7XQ7EP4/s1600/islamic_map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8x0dzl2ehxY/TiFdwJzl77I/AAAAAAAACrs/mLqv7XQ7EP4/s320/islamic_map.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has played a pivotal role in the evolution of the three monotheistic religions; Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The prophets, saints and companions of Prophet Mohammad all performed their works, ministries and miracles here in Jordan. The strategic location and mild climate in Jordan have ensured constant settlement through every historical period since 9500 BCE. In my last post, I explored a few of the Christian holy sites. Today, let’s visit some of the Islamic holy sites.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jordan is rich in the religious history of the three great monotheistic religions. Being located between Mecca, Islam’s holiest place on earth, and Jerusalem which is sacred to all three has given this region a central role in the history of Ahl Ul-Kitab (<i>People of the Book</i> [Jews and Christians] in Holy Qur’an).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Most scholars agree that modern Jordan is part of the blessed “neighborhood” mentioned in Qur’an 17:1 “<i>Glorified be he who carried His servant by night from the Inviolable Place of Worship (</i>Mecca<i>) to the far Distant Place of Worship (</i>Jerusalem<i>) the neighborhood whereof We have blessed, that We might show him of Our tokens. Lo! He, only He, is the Hearer, the Seer”. </i>When Prophet Mohammad made his journey to Syria, he is said to have taken shelter underneath a tree that is, to this day, located near Safawi in Al-Mafraq.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvyqLcwz9YE/TiFfTdrSTnI/AAAAAAAACsY/sr_F6xt9i-U/s1600/Prophet+Muhammad%2527s+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvyqLcwz9YE/TiFfTdrSTnI/AAAAAAAACsY/sr_F6xt9i-U/s320/Prophet+Muhammad%2527s+Tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prophet Mohammad's Tree</td></tr>
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</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">The expansion of Islam from the Arabian Peninsula was northwards into Jordan. It was here that the first contact between Islam and the Byzantine world occurred. As a result several 7<sup>th</sup> century battles took place; the Battles of Mutah, Yarmouk and Fahl (Pella). Many of the Prophet’s companions and military leaders were martyred and buried here. Their tombs and shrines are important sites for pious Muslims.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FDG8zpICZmM/TiFd3AEbwuI/AAAAAAAACsQ/tnRMdBcUe0E/s1600/yarmouk_river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FDG8zpICZmM/TiFd3AEbwuI/AAAAAAAACsQ/tnRMdBcUe0E/s320/yarmouk_river.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yarmouk River</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">The venerable companion Abdul-Rahman ibn Awf Al-Zuhri’s tomb can be found in Jubeha. Abdul-Rahman was one of the “Blessed Ten” to whom the Prophet promised Paradise. He was in all the major battles and campaigns of Islam; Badr, Uhud (in Medina), Al-Khandaq (the trench), the Conquest of Mecca and Hunayn.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Following a compromise between Meccan leaders and Prophet Mohammad that gave political and religious recognition to Islam, Abdul-Rahman signed the Treaty of Hudaybiyah. He also signed the treaty following the conquest of Jerusalem.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Abdul-Rahman was very successful and shared his wealth through charity. On one occasion he gave 700 camels loaded with food to charity and on another day managed to free 31 slaves. His will stipulated that 1000 horses and 50,000 dinars would go to charity. His is an example well worth emulating.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Venerable companion, Bilal ibn Rabah was a slave who embraced Islam while still in Mecca. His master, Umayya ibn Khalaf was in a rage because of it and did everything he could to force Bilal into rejecting his new-found faith. In the peak summer heat he placed a huge rock on Bilal’s chest in an effort to turn him away from Islam.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">He fought in the battles of Badr and Uhud and was able to free himself from Umayyah ibn Khalaf. Bilal was gifted with a beautiful voice and ultimately became the Prophet’s personal muezzin. His tomb is located in the village of Bilal in Wadi Essair.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Another site sacred to Islam is also a Christian holy site; Kahf Al-Raqim or The Cave of the Seven Sleepers. This cave is described in Holy Qura’n as the place where seven pious youths took refuge from Trajan’s persecution. Allah put them to sleep in the cave for 300 years (309 lunar years). When they awakened and discovered that Christianity had spread across the Arab World, Allah put them to rest forever. The Qura’n described their positions as they slept as well as the position of their dog. It also describes how Allah placed an angel in charge of their safety, turning them in their sleep and protecting them from passers-by. The bones of the boys are still on display inside the cave where a very knowledgable man will describe the scene and relate the story for tourists. Astonishingly, every detail of this holy spot matches the Qur’anic description perfectly.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CFTE8nW3hqc/TiFgH7HZyDI/AAAAAAAACsc/Gn-23MeT2M8/s1600/101220101045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CFTE8nW3hqc/TiFgH7HZyDI/AAAAAAAACsc/Gn-23MeT2M8/s320/101220101045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fF4HYOE0430/TiFgMbtSLLI/AAAAAAAACsg/oL-NEazU0sc/s1600/101220101046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fF4HYOE0430/TiFgMbtSLLI/AAAAAAAACsg/oL-NEazU0sc/s320/101220101046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k0KYAMO8JLg/TiFgO2BwFZI/AAAAAAAACsk/1XNHWhYpg_M/s1600/101220101051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k0KYAMO8JLg/TiFgO2BwFZI/AAAAAAAACsk/1XNHWhYpg_M/s320/101220101051.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">As in the previous post about Christian sites, these examples are a mere fraction of the exciting and beautiful places to visit when you are in Jordan. Come visit us, you'll be glad you did!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Enjoy the photos!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oVBCXDwZo7g/TiFdsxUlN_I/AAAAAAAACrU/b4QjfKyR2Xw/s1600/abudarwish1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oVBCXDwZo7g/TiFdsxUlN_I/AAAAAAAACrU/b4QjfKyR2Xw/s320/abudarwish1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abu Darwish Mosque</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NOseD0linJA/TiFdtjniJ7I/AAAAAAAACrY/ltv3lJWT5zs/s1600/abudarwish2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NOseD0linJA/TiFdtjniJ7I/AAAAAAAACrY/ltv3lJWT5zs/s320/abudarwish2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abu Darwish Mosque</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7f8qKqSf08I/TiFdt8rQXkI/AAAAAAAACrc/g8yP27rVOiQ/s1600/abudarwish3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7f8qKqSf08I/TiFdt8rQXkI/AAAAAAAACrc/g8yP27rVOiQ/s320/abudarwish3.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minaret at Abu Darwish Mosque</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MI02wcouOpU/TiFdunQGSKI/AAAAAAAACrg/NgVmT2I5_04/s1600/ajloun_castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MI02wcouOpU/TiFdunQGSKI/AAAAAAAACrg/NgVmT2I5_04/s320/ajloun_castle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ajlun Castle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2tb1lZgrgh4/TiFdvIhR6RI/AAAAAAAACrk/T7OvmIvgZKA/s1600/alazdi_tomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2tb1lZgrgh4/TiFdvIhR6RI/AAAAAAAACrk/T7OvmIvgZKA/s1600/alazdi_tomb.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomb of al-Azdi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aH_24Zvj8Cs/TiFdvtH-_FI/AAAAAAAACro/zJDCB6kY-Cs/s1600/Amman_King-Abdullah-Mosque-at-night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aH_24Zvj8Cs/TiFdvtH-_FI/AAAAAAAACro/zJDCB6kY-Cs/s320/Amman_King-Abdullah-Mosque-at-night.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Abdullah Mosque at night</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bQyxNjd1nR0/TiFdw6XeKzI/AAAAAAAACrw/qBXNi70ktbQ/s1600/King+Abdullah+Mosque+in+Amman+-+Jordan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bQyxNjd1nR0/TiFdw6XeKzI/AAAAAAAACrw/qBXNi70ktbQ/s320/King+Abdullah+Mosque+in+Amman+-+Jordan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Abdullah Mosque (<i>the Blue Domed Mosque</i>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlX-DpczrD0/TiFdxbmyeUI/AAAAAAAACr0/ZHUSX2DsRsg/s1600/prophet_hud_shrine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlX-DpczrD0/TiFdxbmyeUI/AAAAAAAACr0/ZHUSX2DsRsg/s320/prophet_hud_shrine.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrine of Prophet Hud (<i>descendant of Prophet Noah</i>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LQC3p0NydyQ/TiFdyHrEKBI/AAAAAAAACr4/7I2L1fh_3MM/s1600/prophet_noah_tomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LQC3p0NydyQ/TiFdyHrEKBI/AAAAAAAACr4/7I2L1fh_3MM/s320/prophet_noah_tomb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrine of Prophet Noah</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BXHX4CYrpjg/TiFdzKEEoQI/AAAAAAAACr8/u3eZDrwarTA/s1600/prophet_yosha_shrine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BXHX4CYrpjg/TiFdzKEEoQI/AAAAAAAACr8/u3eZDrwarTA/s320/prophet_yosha_shrine.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrine of Prophet Yusha (<i>Joshua</i>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HusbNuP0pY8/TiFdz9iBtJI/AAAAAAAACsA/Nm97BRQS36w/s1600/RuinedMosqueCommemoratesBattleofFahl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HusbNuP0pY8/TiFdz9iBtJI/AAAAAAAACsA/Nm97BRQS36w/s320/RuinedMosqueCommemoratesBattleofFahl.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruined mosque commemorating the Battle of Fahl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qhqlir5NmGk/TiFd0zczN4I/AAAAAAAACsE/mGTwhWib09o/s1600/Shrine_of_Abu_Ubaidah_ibn_al-Jarrah_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qhqlir5NmGk/TiFd0zczN4I/AAAAAAAACsE/mGTwhWib09o/s320/Shrine_of_Abu_Ubaidah_ibn_al-Jarrah_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrine of Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qrc6MPgcpDA/TiFd2KCIJFI/AAAAAAAACsI/gY9fuePXf4I/s1600/Tomb_of_Abu_Ubaidah_ibn_al-Jarrah_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qrc6MPgcpDA/TiFd2KCIJFI/AAAAAAAACsI/gY9fuePXf4I/s320/Tomb_of_Abu_Ubaidah_ibn_al-Jarrah_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrine of Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e4JEysHGejc/TiFd2aIN_gI/AAAAAAAACsM/Xo7JPvna3lI/s1600/TombofJafarIbnAbiTalibNearMu%2527tah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e4JEysHGejc/TiFd2aIN_gI/AAAAAAAACsM/Xo7JPvna3lI/s1600/TombofJafarIbnAbiTalibNearMu%2527tah.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomb of Jafar Ibn Abi Talib near Mu'tah</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LC-smYhwLko/TiFe5oSZfvI/AAAAAAAACsU/ZgBjb0UWWvU/s1600/John+the+Baptist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LC-smYhwLko/TiFe5oSZfvI/AAAAAAAACsU/ZgBjb0UWWvU/s320/John+the+Baptist.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herod's Palace at Mukawib where John the Baptist was beheaded</td></tr>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-44359570449822852312011-07-07T23:12:00.000+03:002011-07-07T23:12:28.645+03:00Y'all Come See Us!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9aVg1R2wrA/ThYQC3P1G8I/AAAAAAAACp0/68QoXekz6Js/s1600/14032010400+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9aVg1R2wrA/ThYQC3P1G8I/AAAAAAAACp0/68QoXekz6Js/s320/14032010400+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reports released in February 2011 showed that Jordan has taken a $70 million hit in the tourism industry. That amounts to around 25% of the kingdom’s income generated by tourists. European and American tourists in particular are avoiding the entire Middle East region.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Mohammad Samih, who chairs The Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association reported that around 40% of bookings through April 2011 had been cancelled.</div><div class="MsoNormal">To a great extent most of the blame for avoiding the Arab World is the ongoing turmoil in Egypt and North Africa as well as in Syria and Israel.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">While caution is certainly prudent when considering a visit to Cairo, Alexandria, Damascus or Jerusalem, even cursory attention to the news would reveal that Jordan is an oasis of peace in the region. The regular Jummah protests each week have been peaceful, uneventful demonstrations with only a single incident to mar them. Jordan remains a safe, quiet and welcoming destination for tourists from all around the globe.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The recent cancellations have not ony affected tourist companies. When tourists decide to stay home or travel elsewhere we all suffer. Restaurant owners, wait and cook staff, taxis, limo drivers and food vendors also suffer. The cancellations have a ripple effect that engulfs the entire kingdom. People aren't able to afford food, clothing and education for their families. Because they can’t afford to spend, business owners’ sales suffer. All round the country we wait and hope for people to come visit us and help stave off economic disaster.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jordan can, and should be considered by tourists as a stand-alone destination. We have an international airport and a seaport. Our tourist sites are unequalled and our nation is <i>safe</i>. <i>Yes</i>. Completely <i>safe</i>.</div><div class="MsoNormal">American and European travellers should be educated in the realities of Jordan tourism. According to American travel and tourism industry leaders, Jordan is ranked as the 8<sup>th</sup> most popular destination for adventure tourism and it is one of the top faith-based sites. It is the Biblical Tourist I want to address in this article.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7zaBrHumrxA/ThYMVG6T3TI/AAAAAAAACoU/-fPGKrJl4dk/s1600/250320111568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7zaBrHumrxA/ThYMVG6T3TI/AAAAAAAACoU/-fPGKrJl4dk/s320/250320111568.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is home to the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus and Mount Nebo where God showed Prophet Moses the “Promised Land” and then buried him there. Prophet Jeremiah is said to have hidden the Ark of the Covenant in one of the many caves of Mount Nebo. Prophet Aaron, brother of Moses, is entombed on the top of a mountain overlooking Petra and the town of Madaba has the oldest surviving original map of the Holy Land, showing Jerusalem. It is a mosaic on the floor of St George church and dates back to the 6<sup>th</sup> century CE. Noah, a “righteous and blameless” man is also linked with Jordan. His tomb/shrine is located at Kerak in the south of Jordan.</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the north of Jordan Umm Qais is the site where Jesus cast the demons into a herd of swine who subsequently ran down the mountain and drowned in the Sea of Galilee and in the south, Prophet Lot and his daughters lived for some time in a cave near the Dead Sea after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t7kCfcYPEIo/ThYOWAXU16I/AAAAAAAACpQ/4-Kpyv7gMdc/s1600/010420111747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t7kCfcYPEIo/ThYOWAXU16I/AAAAAAAACpQ/4-Kpyv7gMdc/s320/010420111747.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWPZ1ENyWc8/ThYOi1nnzaI/AAAAAAAACpc/c2TbKOsDSR8/s1600/010420111750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWPZ1ENyWc8/ThYOi1nnzaI/AAAAAAAACpc/c2TbKOsDSR8/s320/010420111750.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s2bNBqOvipA/ThYOobsSWEI/AAAAAAAACpg/LFKPNKOaiAY/s1600/010420111751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s2bNBqOvipA/ThYOobsSWEI/AAAAAAAACpg/LFKPNKOaiAY/s320/010420111751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The best available candidates to be the ruins of Sodom and Gomorrah are the ancient remains of the walled towns of Bab Eddhra’ and Numeira in the southeastern Dead Sea coastal plain. Until today, they show the remains of a fiery destruction after which they were never reinhabited. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The late Pope John Paul II made a pilgrimage to Jordan in 2000 and declared five Christian holy sites as pilgrimage places.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUWadJ-KOyc/ThYPpAffeJI/AAAAAAAACpw/EmuP5ptIJNk/s1600/PopeJPIIMtNebo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUWadJ-KOyc/ThYPpAffeJI/AAAAAAAACpw/EmuP5ptIJNk/s320/PopeJPIIMtNebo.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Not far from Amman is the legendary Cave of the Seven Sleepers. According to the story several persecuted Christian boys found shelter there and slept for 309 years. It is a truly astonishing story among so many astonishing stories that originated in Jordan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yHhsd9r9eXQ/ThYQKiqvcwI/AAAAAAAACp8/5PqSOcegD30/s1600/101220101045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yHhsd9r9eXQ/ThYQKiqvcwI/AAAAAAAACp8/5PqSOcegD30/s320/101220101045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This part of the Holy Land is blessed with a rich spiritual heritage. Prophets Abraham, Job, Moses, Ruth, Elijah, John the Baptist and the preacher, Paul each performed critical parts of their ministries in this country. Jacob wrestled with the angel of God, and Elijah ascended into heaven from Jordan.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Prophet Job was from around the city of Salt in northwest Jordan. His story, one of the oldest in the Bible, places Jordan squarely in the beginnings of human faith on earth. Job’s book demonstrates the Bible’s earliest sign of human movement toward monotheism and is an important aspect of the importance of Jordan in the development of the three monotheistic religions of Islam, Christianity and Judaism. It was here, in Jordan, that Job tells of the longest recorded speeches of God, Himself; the most profound debate between a human and God; and the first explicit appearance of Satan in the Bible when he asks God’s permission to test Job’s faith.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQgkMdFA-bQ/ThYOauZnqZI/AAAAAAAACpU/JOzd-gXSrhY/s1600/010420111748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQgkMdFA-bQ/ThYOauZnqZI/AAAAAAAACpU/JOzd-gXSrhY/s320/010420111748.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M-lpUscQJS4/ThYOfQOPUvI/AAAAAAAACpY/29lBvYBUxdU/s1600/010420111749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M-lpUscQJS4/ThYOfQOPUvI/AAAAAAAACpY/29lBvYBUxdU/s320/010420111749.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hTRu-Mr50ZM/ThYOsNxMpbI/AAAAAAAACpk/TGFgo5FpKiU/s1600/010420111752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hTRu-Mr50ZM/ThYOsNxMpbI/AAAAAAAACpk/TGFgo5FpKiU/s320/010420111752.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wkhJts1OP-o/ThYOxs7WLPI/AAAAAAAACpo/Gu5C1h1GIGI/s1600/010420111753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wkhJts1OP-o/ThYOxs7WLPI/AAAAAAAACpo/Gu5C1h1GIGI/s320/010420111753.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mtWfXpI_cfc/ThYO2ePDPQI/AAAAAAAACps/XFPAv7P7dOE/s1600/010420111758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mtWfXpI_cfc/ThYO2ePDPQI/AAAAAAAACps/XFPAv7P7dOE/s320/010420111758.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After being expelled from the Garden of Eden, Adam stood in the waters of the Jordan River for 40 days, praying and begging forgiveness from God. When Cain murdered his brother, Abel he was banished to the area “east of Eden”. He went to one of three sites east of the Jordan River that were later designated as Cities of Refuge.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Time after time, God named Jordan as a land of peace and refuge. Ruth, Elijah, David, Jesus, John the Baptist and the first Christian communities found safety here. Most of the holy sites where the Prophets performed miracles or reached out to ordinary people have been identified and excavated, and are easily accessible to visitors today.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The King’s Highway passes through the hills of northern Jordan, crosses the Jabbok River (Zerqa River) and Jordan River and then through Jordan Valley around Succoth and up to the hill country of Canaan and Palestine near Shechem (Nablus). Propet Abraham would have certainly taken this route in his travels. The highway was first mentioned in Numbers 20:17 when Prophet Moses requested, and was refused, permission to use it to get to Canaan.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When Prophet Abraham’s wife Sarah got into a snit and forced the banishment of Hagar and Ishmael they traveled eastwards into the lands of southern Jordan and on to northern Arabia. These areas were called Paran and Midian in Genesis 14:6, 21:21. Eventually, Ishmael fathered the Arabian tribes and the “sons of the east” (Judges 8:10, Isaiah 11:14). It was through these two sons that the blessings of God were passed on to all humanity.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jacob and his two wives, Rachel and Leah, his two concubines and their flock of children fled from the home of his Uncle Laban in Haran (modern Turkey/Iraq) and set their caps for Canaan. Laban gave chase and finally caught up with them in Mizpah in Gilead in the hill country above the Jordan Valley (Genesis 31). After reconciling, Jacob and Laban made a lifelong peace when they said “<i>May the Lord watch between you and me while we are absent one from the other</i>” (Genesis 31:49).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have but scratched the surface of the holy places to be found in Jordan. Come visit us for a truly moving experience and spiritual renewal. No matter where you put your foot, you can be virtually assured that you are in the footprints of one of the Prophets, holy men or women or even of God, Himself.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal">You are welcome here!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7zaBrHumrxA/ThYMVG6T3TI/AAAAAAAACoU/-fPGKrJl4dk/s1600/250320111568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7zaBrHumrxA/ThYMVG6T3TI/AAAAAAAACoU/-fPGKrJl4dk/s320/250320111568.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-29034963159118398002011-06-12T12:01:00.000+03:002011-06-12T12:01:48.008+03:00Jerash, "Pompeii of the East"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6top082ERtA/TfRwHikDbuI/AAAAAAAACmg/LUrd16vunto/s1600/IMG_0679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6top082ERtA/TfRwHikDbuI/AAAAAAAACmg/LUrd16vunto/s320/IMG_0679.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hadrian's Triumphal Gate marking the entrance to the city</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">I was recently asked to produce a short essay on the ruined ancient city of Jerash. As I consulted my notes and files I discovered that I'd never even posted one on my blog. In order to correct that omission I decided to post this today and hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed producing it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">Jerash is one of the most important, intact and best preserved cities of the Decapolis and is accepted as one of the finest examples of the Roman city in the East. It has managed to escape the destruction and looting some of the other historic sites have suffered. Because of its remarkable preservation, this ruined Greco-Roman city has been called “Pompeii of the East”. The somewhat misleading name derives from the extensive excavation and level of preservation, though Jerash was never buried by a volcano. Excavation of some of the outer walls has led to the discovery of tools and machinery from as far back as the late Iron Age and the Bronze Age.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This city has gone by many names, one of which is Gerasa, taken from the Semite Gersho and was mentioned in Nabataean writings in Petra. Another name for this astonishing city was Antioch on the Chrysorhoas, meaning Antioch on the Gold River because the Gold River crossed the city of Gerasa as part of the Yaboq River (al-Zarqa).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Some scholars suggest the city was established by Alexander the Great at the end of the 4<sup>th</sup> century BC, but most archaeological findings indicate that the Hellenistic era in Jerash began after Antochios III invaded the region in 219-218 BCE<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xDBKFFQW-2A/TfR0XiAKR7I/AAAAAAAACnk/apRUi-T76XY/s1600/Decapolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xDBKFFQW-2A/TfR0XiAKR7I/AAAAAAAACnk/apRUi-T76XY/s320/Decapolis.jpg" width="206" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of the cities of the Decapolis</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Decapolis</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">(Ten Cities) was a group of ten loosely confederated cities on the eastern frontier of the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;">Roman Empire</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">in</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;">Jordan</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;">Syria</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">. The ten cities were not an official league or political unit, but they were grouped together because of their language, culture, location, and political status. The Decapolis cities were centers of Greek and Roman culture in a region that was otherwise</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;">Semitic</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">(</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;">Nabatean</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;">Aramean</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;">Jewish</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">). With the exception of Damascus, the "Region of the Decapolis" was located in modern-day</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;">Jordan</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, with one city located west of the Jordan River in Israel. Each city had a certain degree of autonomy and self-rule.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The impressive buildings include places of worship dating from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and early Muslim periods. In the 3<sup>rd</sup> century BCE, the city then known as Gerasa was admitted into the Roman Decapolis. In 63 BCE Pompey conquered the Decapolis cities and left Jerash as a prestigious semi-autonomous state as part of the province of Syria. Due to it’s position and the new road built by Emperor Trajan in 106 CE, the city prospered greatly on the spice and incense trade route.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlx7aYq_yq0/TfRzE3mXZMI/AAAAAAAACnU/AbveofG-YvI/s1600/IMG_0709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlx7aYq_yq0/TfRzE3mXZMI/AAAAAAAACnU/AbveofG-YvI/s320/IMG_0709.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corinthian column</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Remains in the Greco-Roman Jerash include:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Corinthium column,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Hadrian’s Arch,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Circus/Hippodrome,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Two large temples dedicated to Zeus and Artemis,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The nearly unique oval Forum, which is surrounded by a fine colonnade,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The long colonnaded street, or Cardo,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Two theatres (the large South Theatre and the smaller North Theatre),<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Two baths, and a scattering of small temples and,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">An almost complete circuit of city walls.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Most of these monuments were built by donations of the city's wealthy citizens. From 350 CE, a large</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Christian</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">community lived in Jerash, and between 400-600 CE, more than thirteen churches were built, many with superb mosaic floors. A</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">cathedral was built in the fourth century. An ancient</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">synagogue</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">with detailed mosaics, including the story of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Noah, was found beneath one of the churches.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jerash was a favorite city of the Emperor Hadrian who visited the city and spent part of the winter of 129-130 CE. His coming signaled a fresh outburst of building activity, and the Triumphal Arch was erected in celebration of his visit. It seems probable that the intention was to extend the area of the city as far as this arch, as the ends were left rough as though to bond to a wall, but the project was abandoned as soon as Hadrian left and attention returned to the city centre.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RcPAWUinbKs/TfRwVK0siyI/AAAAAAAACmk/cgNubZp_IKk/s1600/IMG_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RcPAWUinbKs/TfRwVK0siyI/AAAAAAAACmk/cgNubZp_IKk/s320/IMG_0680.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rPIF5TyZNPs/TfRwilsuNzI/AAAAAAAACmo/JzIrZs6OCQY/s1600/IMG_0683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rPIF5TyZNPs/TfRwilsuNzI/AAAAAAAACmo/JzIrZs6OCQY/s320/IMG_0683.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">The 3</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><sup>rd</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"> century CE saw Jerash suffer decline, but it was revived as a Christian city under the Byzantines. The Persian invasion of 164 CE, the Muslim conquest of 635 CE and several 8</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><sup>th</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"> century earthquakes sealed the fate of Jerash. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span class="apple-style-span">In 749 CE, a major earthquake destroyed much of Jerash and its surroundings. During the period of the Crusades, some of the monuments, including the Temple of Artemis, were converted to fortresses</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span class="apple-style-span">. Small settlements continued in Jerash during the Ayyubid, Mameluk and Ottoman periods. Excavation and restoration of Jerash has been almost continuous since the 1920s.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gneWQF-0tIc/TfRwycxrZGI/AAAAAAAACms/nr3QO-h4pYM/s1600/IMG_0686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gneWQF-0tIc/TfRwycxrZGI/AAAAAAAACms/nr3QO-h4pYM/s320/IMG_0686.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One example of the many beautifully preserved mosaic floors</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yQXp9DlN544/TfRw_gkLDcI/AAAAAAAACmw/Q5EyFodNZsI/s1600/IMG_0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yQXp9DlN544/TfRw_gkLDcI/AAAAAAAACmw/Q5EyFodNZsI/s320/IMG_0687.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hippodrome</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LoYz0eRfh0/TfRxQcunNsI/AAAAAAAACm0/JuMhKyRxA6w/s1600/IMG_0691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LoYz0eRfh0/TfRxQcunNsI/AAAAAAAACm0/JuMhKyRxA6w/s320/IMG_0691.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colonnaded Forum</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-Kc_0CaUgU/TfRxbVimlTI/AAAAAAAACm4/uaGXnDdZ-9M/s1600/IMG_0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-Kc_0CaUgU/TfRxbVimlTI/AAAAAAAACm4/uaGXnDdZ-9M/s320/IMG_0693.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temple of Artemis</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1nGSq3lk8Ag/TfRxsb8VnsI/AAAAAAAACm8/suARemGzmjs/s1600/IMG_0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1nGSq3lk8Ag/TfRxsb8VnsI/AAAAAAAACm8/suARemGzmjs/s320/IMG_0694.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGyqz14bOFU/TfRx7ZA2CII/AAAAAAAACnA/1ke8WP7zu9o/s1600/IMG_0696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGyqz14bOFU/TfRx7ZA2CII/AAAAAAAACnA/1ke8WP7zu9o/s320/IMG_0696.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cardo</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q9Ex65tU0do/TfRyKEUYDtI/AAAAAAAACnE/f1fsccHZntg/s1600/IMG_0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q9Ex65tU0do/TfRyKEUYDtI/AAAAAAAACnE/f1fsccHZntg/s320/IMG_0698.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; color: black; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6WFhDeKBgkw/TfRyX477_uI/AAAAAAAACnI/IezPaECrFLA/s320/IMG_0701.JPG" width="320" /></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_q29WFZM0ew/TfRy475X6bI/AAAAAAAACnQ/ZnkuWlhglBQ/s1600/IMG_0704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_q29WFZM0ew/TfRy475X6bI/AAAAAAAACnQ/ZnkuWlhglBQ/s320/IMG_0704.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9NhwPLEhvRQ/TfRzSwNpghI/AAAAAAAACnY/FAjRaty5V7s/s1600/IMG_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9NhwPLEhvRQ/TfRzSwNpghI/AAAAAAAACnY/FAjRaty5V7s/s320/IMG_0713.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking the ancient city</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qhLpaoSKrIU/TfRzeg7F3RI/AAAAAAAACnc/mhlxYSZ8vVI/s1600/IMG_0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qhLpaoSKrIU/TfRzeg7F3RI/AAAAAAAACnc/mhlxYSZ8vVI/s320/IMG_0714.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Thanks to the growth of tourism and Jerash’s location in the heart of Jordan, modern Jerash has developed dramatically. The city is ranked second, behind Petra, as the second most important tourist attraction in Jordan.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Al-Meradh region was called Souf because they were the only ones to resist the attacks of the looting southern Bedouin tribes led by Bani Sakher tribes. Souf finally succeeded in defeating the Bedouin and they actually reinhabited Jerash and now comprise the majority population of the modern city. Thereafter, Jerash became a magnet for successive waves of foreign migrants, beginning when the Syrians and Circassians camped near the old ruins. They were welcomed by the locals and settled in the city. Later, in 1948 and 1967, Jerash hosted waves of Palestinian refugees.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In 1981 the Jerash Festival was established in the old city of Jerash. The annual celebration is a three week long summer program of music, dance and theatrical performances. It is frequently attended by members of the Royal Family and is unarguably the largest cultural activity in the kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-saPchX8xibs/TfR3xXOwk_I/AAAAAAAACns/4vasNJh9ZS0/s1600/jerash_festival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-saPchX8xibs/TfR3xXOwk_I/AAAAAAAACns/4vasNJh9ZS0/s320/jerash_festival.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jerash Festival</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NPC0AbMK8vU/TfR3y5HfiGI/AAAAAAAACn0/Mc1KDxFFCFg/s1600/King+and+Queen+at+Jerash+Festival+%252703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NPC0AbMK8vU/TfR3y5HfiGI/AAAAAAAACn0/Mc1KDxFFCFg/s320/King+and+Queen+at+Jerash+Festival+%252703.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their Majesties, King Abdullah II and Queen Rania</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dCHntDxJs7U/TfR3wn5TX5I/AAAAAAAACno/SrW73oyWdrM/s1600/HamQNJerash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dCHntDxJs7U/TfR3wn5TX5I/AAAAAAAACno/SrW73oyWdrM/s1600/HamQNJerash.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her Majesty Queen Noor and Prince Hamzah</td></tr>
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</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: right; color: black; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHDUOmg5xGE/TfR3yBUWcRI/AAAAAAAACnw/gGPwry-XVeQ/s320/jerash_performers.jpg" width="320" /></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DQDFTv6C5UI/TfR35vizGmI/AAAAAAAACn4/DHflemusOjQ/s1600/04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DQDFTv6C5UI/TfR35vizGmI/AAAAAAAACn4/DHflemusOjQ/s320/04.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jerash’s economy is primarily dependent on tourism and agriculture. The Jerash Governate is home to more than 1.25 million olive trees. Many of these trees are ancient, already bearing fruit when the Romans occupied the area. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ORvjeMaBv4/TfR6hGB48oI/AAAAAAAACoQ/JoRa6K9Rlgo/s1600/IMG_0823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ORvjeMaBv4/TfR6hGB48oI/AAAAAAAACoQ/JoRa6K9Rlgo/s320/IMG_0823.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-47458196587801188402011-06-12T10:43:00.000+03:002011-06-12T10:43:02.933+03:00Mobile Device ApplicationDo you surf the internet on your mobile device? I know at least one of my readers does...yes, I mean you Dee! Now, you don't have to wait until you have access to your laptop or PC to keep up with our <i>Adventures in the Holy Land</i>, you can access it instantly on your mobile device.<br />
<br />
I've just adjusted the settings for this application. Please leave feedback to let me know whether it's working as it should.<br />
<br />
Keep reading, and enjoy the blog!<br />
<br />
Ol' Big Jim<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'arial black', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">جيم رايت</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TjXza9v-2O0/TfRtzSCJ_VI/AAAAAAAACmc/E8hwuwzEO84/s1600/qalaa3-panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="55" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TjXza9v-2O0/TfRtzSCJ_VI/AAAAAAAACmc/E8hwuwzEO84/s320/qalaa3-panorama.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'arial black', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-34923442819314400222011-06-02T11:58:00.001+03:002011-06-02T11:58:35.895+03:00formspring.meAsk me anything <a href="http://formspring.me/olbigjim" target="_blank">http://formspring.me/olbigjim</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-87768213755835561962011-05-30T09:49:00.000+03:002011-05-30T09:49:13.567+03:00Palestine Revisited via Rafah Border Opening<div class="MsoNormal">I can’t help celebrating the courageous step by Egypt in opening the Rafah border crossing! It is a tiny step in the right direction for a change. Attempts by Israel to isolate Gazan citizens have been greatly hampered by the lifting of the four year old blockade. The blockade was imposed after the free elections in Gaza installed Hamas as the governing party in 2007. Ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak cooperated with the Israeli regime in the border closure and allowed very limited passage of Palestinians. Students, businessmen and medical patients were eligible to travel, but often were required to wait months for approvals.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qPh24Q2lGcI/TeM8AtFHWjI/AAAAAAAACmE/0QODqrgbu44/s1600/Gaza-border-crossing-at-Rafah-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qPh24Q2lGcI/TeM8AtFHWjI/AAAAAAAACmE/0QODqrgbu44/s320/Gaza-border-crossing-at-Rafah-002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ey8lQm3IvYI/TeM8BN0j-tI/AAAAAAAACmI/TgtkWhKxLVI/s1600/Gaza-border-crossing-at-Rafah-004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ey8lQm3IvYI/TeM8BN0j-tI/AAAAAAAACmI/TgtkWhKxLVI/s320/Gaza-border-crossing-at-Rafah-004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JsCmZz0_jqQ/TeM8B0uDwHI/AAAAAAAACmM/eIOCGGIT1-Y/s1600/Gaza-border-crossing-at-Rafah-0031-500x338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JsCmZz0_jqQ/TeM8B0uDwHI/AAAAAAAACmM/eIOCGGIT1-Y/s320/Gaza-border-crossing-at-Rafah-0031-500x338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The politicians and pundits are crying to anyone who will listen (which sadly, is the majority) that an open border between Gaza and Egypt will allow for the importation of weapons and expertise from the “evil Iranians”. As stated, and quite rightly so, by my friend Brian in his blog <a href="http://sojourney.wordpress.com/">Pilgrim Without a Shrine</a>, they are probably already there. And why wouldn’t they be there? As prisoners in their own land the Palestinian people are desperate to receive any help available. Unfortunately, that needed help isn’t coming from the US and damned little is coming from Europe.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When a person, or entity, comes into your house and throws you out because some mythical god has made a promise to give your house to him, are you likely to accept it and go quietly on your way? Or, are you more likely, going to fight him in any way possible to eject him from your house? Any right thinking person is going to defend his home against any- and everyone. Yet, when Palestinians attempt to defend their homes and ancestral lands they are characterized as terrorists. Look objectively at the situation. Lands were stolen, homes destroyed, ancient olive groves uprooted and burnt, new houses and apartment complexes built on the stolen land, indigenous people forbidden to drive on or build near the new roads… who is the terrorist?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9UN4BkLDkRE/TeM78z_dhqI/AAAAAAAAClw/0tS8_ikyZwE/s1600/1234465632carterpillar_palestine_destruction1263282200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9UN4BkLDkRE/TeM78z_dhqI/AAAAAAAAClw/0tS8_ikyZwE/s320/1234465632carterpillar_palestine_destruction1263282200.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mLYcYimhF1g/TeM7-WjpjyI/AAAAAAAACl4/t38F0ofsQus/s1600/datafiles_cache_tempimgs_2010_2_images_news_2010_10_15_burning-olive-trees_300_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mLYcYimhF1g/TeM7-WjpjyI/AAAAAAAACl4/t38F0ofsQus/s1600/datafiles_cache_tempimgs_2010_2_images_news_2010_10_15_burning-olive-trees_300_0.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTtuIfTtgHs/TeM7_5fPVJI/AAAAAAAACmA/0-3ZaySmoEU/s1600/destroyed-trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTtuIfTtgHs/TeM7_5fPVJI/AAAAAAAACmA/0-3ZaySmoEU/s320/destroyed-trees.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5taFOFarIFU/TeM8Cj1dJsI/AAAAAAAACmQ/9cXcg9_IuuA/s1600/home_demolition_explosive_belt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5taFOFarIFU/TeM8Cj1dJsI/AAAAAAAACmQ/9cXcg9_IuuA/s320/home_demolition_explosive_belt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m constantly astonished when the free elections in 2007 that were pushed so strongly by the US and Israel are now characterized as a “power siezure”. An election in the US was rigged, and some use the term “stolen” just a few years before the Palestine election. Were diplomatic ties severed? Of course not, The nations of the world continued to deal with the US despite the obvious corruption that not only continued to exist,but grew like a cancer under the direction of the new “president”. The election of Hamas to power should have been embraced by all the nations of the world. Diplomatic relations should have continued and been strengthened. Instead, the US and Zionists didn’t expect that outcome, disapproved of it and immediately dismissed it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Obama has indicated that a return to 1967 borders is in order. For this suggestion he has been castigated in the media, scorned by Congress and most recently had his face publically slapped by none other than Benyamin Netanyahu. Let’s rub a bit of salt into that wound. That roundhouse slap from ‘Bibi” was delivered, not from Jerusalem, but from the floor of the United States Congress. When the slap was continually administered the members of both houses of Congress gave countless rounds of thunderous applause and repeated ovations! The message to the President was clear; “Say what you like, but we have been bought and paid for by AIPAC and our loyalty is NOT to our constituents, the Constitution, nor to you, our President, it is to the Zionist regime in Israel.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 1967 border is not some line arbitrarily chosen by President Obama. That border was established by the United Nations following the war. All other member nations of the UN are required to abide by its decisions; not Israel. They flout the UN authority on a daily basis, knowing there will be no repercussions. They signed the Oslo Accords and have consistently broken every clause it contained, knowing there will be no repercussions. Now though, Obama has “<i>endangered relations with Israel</i>” by making such an audacious recommendation. It is my humble opinion that the real shame is that the US <i>continues</i> relations with Israel given the current terroristic stance against the Palestinians. Diplomatic relations and the billions of dollars siphoned to the real Middle Eastern terrorists should be cut off completely and abruptly. AIPAC should be packed up and thrown out of the country and the members of Congress who have accepted the AIPAC bribes should be recalled and permanently banned from political service. Each one of them is a supporter of terrorism.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Bibi claims the borders of 1967 are indefensible. It’s not the border that’s indefensible, it’s the displacement, land theft and outright terrorism on the part of the Zionist regime that is indefensible. Building colonies in militarily occupied territories is absolutely forbidden by Geneva Convention. There is no grey area here; <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">It. Is. Forbidden. </span>Yet, it goes on day after day, week after week, year after year and not one of the dominant governments seriously objects to it. Each time a Palestinian does or says something unacceptable to the terrorists, their response is to build a few hundred more houses on stolen property.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gS79LOm70DA/TeM8GkMovXI/AAAAAAAACmY/H39sFEOofmY/s1600/map-of-palestine-occupation-nb14351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gS79LOm70DA/TeM8GkMovXI/AAAAAAAACmY/H39sFEOofmY/s320/map-of-palestine-occupation-nb14351.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Palestine has stated the intention of going to the UN to unilaterally declare statehood. Suddenly, half the governments of the world are screaming that it can’t, or mustn’t be done. It must be a mutually agreed declaration. Check your history; I have. What country, declaring independence from an occupying power has done it by “mutual agreement”? The few examples I’ve been able to find were countries occupied by the United Kingdom. And even those mutually agreed breaks of the occupation resulted in membership in the British Commonwealth with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. So, are they really independent nations, or is it still occupation under a different name?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Because the US is a central figure in the Palestine/Israel debacle, let’s examine their declaration of independence. After many appeals to King George were ignored or retaliated, did the colonists sit down and reach a <i>mutually agreed</i> independence? They did not. It was an armed uprising; a revolt. It was the American Revolution that created the United States. Nothing less would have accomplished it. Country after country right around the globe has had to do the same thing. Revolution after revolution has resulted in the establishment of independent states and nations. But, somehow it must be done differently in Palestine. They are revolting against “God’s chosen people” and that is simply unacceptable. God’s chosen people, my ass!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Americans making a unilateral declaration of statehood</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pcL0VbXCtfY/TeM8FfPm1hI/AAAAAAAACmU/s7a5krQcVJY/s1600/main_american_revolution_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pcL0VbXCtfY/TeM8FfPm1hI/AAAAAAAACmU/s7a5krQcVJY/s320/main_american_revolution_03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Now is the time for Palestine to make their unilteral declaration before the United Nations. Now is the time for the handful of countries round the world who have already recognized Palestinian statehood to step up and render assistance in the armed revolution that is sure to take place. Now is the time for the US and Europe to cast off their fear of Israel and AIPAC and support the occupied victims of 60+ years of systematic terrorism and help them to establish a free and independent Palestine. Further, it is the duty of the Arab states to render assistance and to continue to help them defend their sovereign borders against a rogue, terrorist state.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-15179569992537307992011-05-24T16:06:00.000+03:002011-05-24T16:06:52.785+03:00Happy Independence Day, Jordan!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v34cVe2lECw/TduqtxSllzI/AAAAAAAACks/TxhI8fQdEw8/s1600/FlagOfJordan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v34cVe2lECw/TduqtxSllzI/AAAAAAAACks/TxhI8fQdEw8/s320/FlagOfJordan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flag of Jordan</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h83XL102Qu4/Tduqv3N66VI/AAAAAAAACk0/4-a5t_quOtc/s1600/JordanCoatOfArms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h83XL102Qu4/Tduqv3N66VI/AAAAAAAACk0/4-a5t_quOtc/s320/JordanCoatOfArms.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coat of Arms of Jordan</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv_7r4bu9SE/TduqwWOOszI/AAAAAAAACk4/-2omObNloW4/s1600/JordanLocation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv_7r4bu9SE/TduqwWOOszI/AAAAAAAACk4/-2omObNloW4/s320/JordanLocation.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jordan's Location in the World</td></tr>
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<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">الله، الوطن، المليك</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span> </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span>Transliteration: <i>Allah al-Watan al-Malek</i><o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">English: “<i>God, Homeland, The King</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tomorrow (25<sup>th</sup> May) is Independence Day in Jordan. To mark the occasion I thought I would share a bit of the colorful history of this beautiful kingdom to give you an idea what we are celebrating. The independence of the modern Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is the story of many civilizations, vast empires and such names as Abraham, Moses, Alexander the Great and Lawrence of Arabia to name just a few.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This ancient land has been occupied by the Canaanites, Edomites and Moabites. The Akkadians, Assyrians, Israelite/Judeans, the Babylonian and Persian empires came and left their marks. Pharaonic Egypt once ruled the lands of the Jordan Valley, as did the Nabataean civilization which left incredible archaeological remains at Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The Macedonian/Greek/Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires have also left evidence of their presence.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Muslim Arabs occupied the region from 7<sup>th</sup> century CE until the Crusaders established the Kingdom of Karak. Later the Seljuk Turks came and the Ottoman Empire ruled until 1918 when British rule was imposed. This led to the creation, in 1922 of the autonomous emirate of Transjordan, and later the independent state.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After the first World War the Ottoman Empire was broken up by the League of Nations and the borders of the eastern Mediterranean were redrawn. The Sykes-Picot Agreement gave birth to the British Mandate of Palestine. It was agreed by the Transjordan Memorandum that territories east of the Jordan River would be excluded from the provisions governing the Jewish settlement.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In 1946, following the end of the second World War, Britain requested approval of the United Nations to end the British Mandate in Transjordan. Independence was granted under the leadership of As-Sayyid Abdullah bin al-Husayn, who had been appointed Emir in 1921. The newly independent leader was proclaimed King Abdullah I, also known as Abdullah the Founder. He ruled until he was assassinated at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem in 1951 and was succeeded by his son, King Talal who was later removed because of mental illness.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">King Talal’s son, Hussein, was too young to rule and the kingdom was governed by committee until Hussein reached the age of majority and was crowned in 1953. Upon his death in 1999, his son, King Abdullah II ascended the throne and remains there until today.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The late King Hussein survived several challenges to his rule and served as a symbol of unity and stability in Jordan. He ended martial law in 1991 and legalized political parties the following year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">King Abdullah II has refocused his government’s agenda to reform economic difficulties as well as the rapidly growing population. The more open political environment has led to the emergence of a variety of political parties. Several key regime figures have been the target of investigations and corruption charges and has become the major focus of protesters and political Islamists. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thanks to the relative freedom and tolerance, as well as the richness of historical and archaeological treasures in the kingdom, Jordan consistently ranks high as a tourist destination. Last year (2010) more than 4.6 million people spent at least a day traveling in Jordan. We enjoy a very diverse array of cultures that is welcoming to artists, religious sects and ethnic groups. Jordan enjoys an excellent reputation for stability and tolerance.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To sum up, Jordan is a wonderful place to live or to visit. The ancient Arab Hospitality is still practiced and all visitors are warmly and genuinely welcomed. Come visit us when you can and experience a vacation that cannot be matched anywhere on the globe!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dvzwxmlHXvE/Tduqy2manFI/AAAAAAAAClE/RFcTjMUsk1E/s1600/KingHussein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dvzwxmlHXvE/Tduqy2manFI/AAAAAAAAClE/RFcTjMUsk1E/s320/KingHussein.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The late King Hussein</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCqzkyi3rPQ/TduqgdsQO-I/AAAAAAAACkQ/uJ36fuUAiuQ/s1600/545px-King_Abdullah_portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCqzkyi3rPQ/TduqgdsQO-I/AAAAAAAACkQ/uJ36fuUAiuQ/s320/545px-King_Abdullah_portrait.jpg" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His Majesty, King Abdullah II</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YyXo8HvWPD8/TduqxDcYcqI/AAAAAAAACk8/b7GBG7JvUxQ/s1600/King_Abdullah_on_Star_Trek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YyXo8HvWPD8/TduqxDcYcqI/AAAAAAAACk8/b7GBG7JvUxQ/s320/King_Abdullah_on_Star_Trek.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His Majesty in an episode of Star Trek, Voyager</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9bsykNv6R94/Tduqx_2eXYI/AAAAAAAAClA/J0rT5d2yRcs/s1600/King-Abdullah-and-Queen-Ran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9bsykNv6R94/Tduqx_2eXYI/AAAAAAAAClA/J0rT5d2yRcs/s320/King-Abdullah-and-Queen-Ran.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Royal Couple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nTHY3G3vLio/Tduq8_dw41I/AAAAAAAAClc/YRar_kxHmDU/s1600/Queen+Rania+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nTHY3G3vLio/Tduq8_dw41I/AAAAAAAAClc/YRar_kxHmDU/s320/Queen+Rania+%25286%2529.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her Majesty, Queen Rania</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wGcoYx-q2zA/Tduq9Tg4hzI/AAAAAAAAClg/1WQgX4EMGlQ/s1600/Rania9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wGcoYx-q2zA/Tduq9Tg4hzI/AAAAAAAAClg/1WQgX4EMGlQ/s320/Rania9.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most beautiful Queen in the world!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gby9ZcHHwmI/TduqfDDPWXI/AAAAAAAACkM/yynDol9HTNw/s1600/7PillarsOfWisdomWadiRum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gby9ZcHHwmI/TduqfDDPWXI/AAAAAAAACkM/yynDol9HTNw/s320/7PillarsOfWisdomWadiRum.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 Pillars of Wisdom in Wadi Rum</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S-PyWwevg10/TduqjPo-_PI/AAAAAAAACkY/OOwYPyZFy3s/s1600/AlAzraqCastle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S-PyWwevg10/TduqjPo-_PI/AAAAAAAACkY/OOwYPyZFy3s/s320/AlAzraqCastle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hwkOQzzoY54/TduqvJOw0uI/AAAAAAAACkw/tH9lgTEYKyQ/s1600/IMG_3414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hwkOQzzoY54/TduqvJOw0uI/AAAAAAAACkw/tH9lgTEYKyQ/s320/IMG_3414.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YdNqysyMC78/Tduq0ohKulI/AAAAAAAAClI/TdAH_5U1aCI/s1600/Mansaf-NationalDishOfJordan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YdNqysyMC78/Tduq0ohKulI/AAAAAAAAClI/TdAH_5U1aCI/s320/Mansaf-NationalDishOfJordan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e8dz98-EdTM/Tduq1nNGdhI/AAAAAAAAClM/ZXgYae5NFhY/s1600/MountainsAjlun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e8dz98-EdTM/Tduq1nNGdhI/AAAAAAAAClM/ZXgYae5NFhY/s320/MountainsAjlun.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XS55eDF9-A/Tduq2QZRefI/AAAAAAAAClQ/n76cTBXda7g/s1600/PetraFirstGlimpse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XS55eDF9-A/Tduq2QZRefI/AAAAAAAAClQ/n76cTBXda7g/s320/PetraFirstGlimpse.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GeCcsx77VLI/Tduq7H68DmI/AAAAAAAAClU/HRy6umdz3xk/s1600/petra-jordan-74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GeCcsx77VLI/Tduq7H68DmI/AAAAAAAAClU/HRy6umdz3xk/s320/petra-jordan-74.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x6bC2FpztyA/Tduq7r_5gTI/AAAAAAAAClY/icItnAcq-lE/s1600/PhosphateTrainAqaba.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x6bC2FpztyA/Tduq7r_5gTI/AAAAAAAAClY/icItnAcq-lE/s320/PhosphateTrainAqaba.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ssSAUFoFX2w/TdurAFyzDUI/AAAAAAAACls/PgeSRtKMMzM/s1600/WadiRum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ssSAUFoFX2w/TdurAFyzDUI/AAAAAAAACls/PgeSRtKMMzM/s320/WadiRum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-39360328412514299762011-05-22T13:24:00.000+03:002011-05-22T13:24:35.942+03:00End of the World...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Over the past few weeks a great deal of discussion, cussing, derision and promises have been made about the “End of the World” that was to have taken place yesterday. Thankfully, at least from my perspective and circle of friends, humor was the overriding emotion.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Most of you have probably noticed by now that the world did not, in fact end yesterday. Everything is going on at its usual pace. Wars are still being fought all round the globe, people are still hungry, sad, unemployed, retired, working, happy and just glad to be alive. In short, with the possible exception of a few misguided souls, life goes on.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOgdxkUKmrA/Tdjh0gG4asI/AAAAAAAACj8/gxtSlifBpLo/s1600/SunriseOverJordan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOgdxkUKmrA/Tdjh0gG4asI/AAAAAAAACj8/gxtSlifBpLo/s1600/SunriseOverJordan.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun rose over Jordan on 23 May 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">I cannot fathom the depth of disappointment and embarrassment the doom-sayers must be feeling today. Perhaps 21 May 2011 will come to be known as the “<i>Second</i> Great Disappointment” after the original disappointment when the world didn't end as predicted by William Miller, whose followers came to be known as “Millerites”. When his original prediction didn’t come to fruition he and his staff announced a miscalculation and announced a second and a third date. The Christian Advent Church and the Seventh Day Advent Church grew out of the Great Disappointment.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here are a few posters and charts from the Millerite days:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yPjdRjsNjcc/TdjhuBR9M4I/AAAAAAAACjc/L3WP_lSHwZM/s1600/463px-Millerite_1843_chart_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yPjdRjsNjcc/TdjhuBR9M4I/AAAAAAAACjc/L3WP_lSHwZM/s320/463px-Millerite_1843_chart_2.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Millerite prophecy chart for 1843</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DkFJG8nf99k/Tdjhu6ennRI/AAAAAAAACjg/ZVqN4WeZ2PU/s1600/2300days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="46" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DkFJG8nf99k/Tdjhu6ennRI/AAAAAAAACjg/ZVqN4WeZ2PU/s320/2300days.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginning of Miller's "70 Week" prophecy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yUeWrzKy0s/TdjhzROU7oI/AAAAAAAACj0/e74g-VpzNnM/s1600/Ezrachonology.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="80" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yUeWrzKy0s/TdjhzROU7oI/AAAAAAAACj0/e74g-VpzNnM/s320/Ezrachonology.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miller's 2300 day prophecy timeline relating to 70 Weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1zr0b6htvc/TdjhyYUNj-I/AAAAAAAACjw/9Or3lyD6_MU/s1600/enhanced-buzz-9818-1305833397-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1zr0b6htvc/TdjhyYUNj-I/AAAAAAAACjw/9Or3lyD6_MU/s320/enhanced-buzz-9818-1305833397-28.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another interesting Millerite chart</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Of course, Miller wasn't the last one to predict the end of the world, and the latest Rev Camping won't be the last.</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jx5ApyxD-nc/Tdjhv2-VArI/AAAAAAAACjo/O8nOApNsG5E/s1600/camping_587187t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jx5ApyxD-nc/Tdjhv2-VArI/AAAAAAAACjo/O8nOApNsG5E/s1600/camping_587187t.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rev Camping</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-92P6_WOTyiU/TdjhwRMahNI/AAAAAAAACjs/L1_x-RqsKas/s1600/End+of+the+World+-+101+Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-92P6_WOTyiU/TdjhwRMahNI/AAAAAAAACjs/L1_x-RqsKas/s320/End+of+the+World+-+101+Blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How to get ready? What to pack? Should I have a haircut?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zXnK8ITI7g/Tdjh0IlFfUI/AAAAAAAACj4/SnQlnBL_H20/s1600/Guarantee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zXnK8ITI7g/Tdjh0IlFfUI/AAAAAAAACj4/SnQlnBL_H20/s320/Guarantee.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A "guarantee", that might cause some problems...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B-1H5Rr_b-c/Tdjh1N5zLlI/AAAAAAAACkA/WDPf2LsQXHU/s1600/the-end-of-the-world-300x168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B-1H5Rr_b-c/Tdjh1N5zLlI/AAAAAAAACkA/WDPf2LsQXHU/s1600/the-end-of-the-world-300x168.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting place to put a tract about the "end"...<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I can't help wondering what will grow out of the Second Great Disappointment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sqc7Xc_JzUM/Tdjhso-oW3I/AAAAAAAACjU/wYkXgQ7QyWM/s1600/12-21-12+poster.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sqc7Xc_JzUM/Tdjhso-oW3I/AAAAAAAACjU/wYkXgQ7QyWM/s320/12-21-12+poster.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-4258512391328377762011-05-15T22:35:00.001+03:002011-05-15T22:39:32.300+03:00Operation Smile Jordan<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">A day or two ago I wrote a column about Souk Jara. I omitted mentioning an encounter I want everyone to know about. I found a booth operated by <a href="http://www.operationsmile.jo/">Operation Smile Jordan</a>. This group is part of an international alliance of chapters whose mission is to provide free treatment to children and adults who suffer from facial deformities.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Her Majesty, Queen Rania al Abdullah is the honorary Chairperson and Patroness of this program. For the past 10+ years, thanks to Operation Smile and the Ministry of Health children with cleft lips, cleft palates and burns have been treated by volunteer Jordanian and international medical professionals without charge to the patient. More than 1700 children have been helped by Operation Smile since 2004.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Her Majesty and Operation Smile Jordan inaugurated the Operation Smile Jordan Center in Amman in 2008. The center provides year-round care and consists of a medical evaluation and post-operative clinic, a speech therapy clinic and the Roma Downey Life Support Training Center that provides medical professionals with Paediatric advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) training.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I am very happy, but humbled to be a donor to this great cause. Please visit their website at <a href="http://www.operationsmile.jo/"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://www.operationsmile.jo/</span> </a>and make a donation so they can continue helping unfortunate, poor children to have a more normal and fulfilling life!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Here are a few facts taken from the Operation Smile website at <span style="color: windowtext;">www.operationsmile.jo/</span> that are rather sobering. Please give them a visit and if possible make a donation to help a child to have a more normal, productive life. Thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Quick Facts<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Operation Smile Jordan is honored to operate under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, the Honorary Chairperson. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Approximately 1 in every 700 babies in Jordan is born with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate or other type of facial deformity. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Children with facial deformities who do not receive reconstructive surgery often have difficulty breathing, drinking, eating and speaking. As a result, many suffer from malnutrition, medical and psychological problems. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In as little as 45 minutes, one cleft lip surgery can change a child's life forever. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">It costs as little as JD450 to repair a cleft lip. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Operation Smile Jordan is a registered NGO. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Operation Smile Jordan has treated more than 1700 children since 2004. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">There are more than 200 Operation Smile Jordan Student Volunteers <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Operation Smile Jordan won the Outstanding International Student Club of the Year award during the International Student Leadership Conference in 2007. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Operation Smile Jordan sends physicians to the annual Operation Smile Physicians' Training Program (PTP) - held at Operation Smile’s headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. PTP brings doctors from around the world together for training in their respective specialties. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Since 1982, more than 115,000 children and young adults have been treated by thousands of Operation Smile volunteers worldwide and thousands of healthcare professionals have been trained globally. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Operation Smile provides care for children in 51 countries. 9 resource countries raise funds and provide medical volunteers, while 42 program countries receive education and training and conduct surgeries. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Operation Smile Jordan is a certified American Heart Association life support training center. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Operation Smile Jordan’s Speech Pathology Clinic offers year-round speech therapy consultations by a team of certified speech pathologists.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">*<i><b>Disclaimer </b>– I was not asked to write this post by anyone associated with <a href="http://www.operationsmile.jo/">Operation Smile Jordan</a>, I have no financial or other connection with the group, nor have I received any compensation for it. I have written this column out of a sense of compassion for the children, admiration for the group who operate it and without consulting them about it at all.</i> /obj<o:p></o:p></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-90215659844867076702011-05-15T18:48:00.000+03:002011-05-15T18:48:08.818+03:00Visit to Ajlun and Mar Eliyas (Prophet Elijah)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nccrixiqq60/Tc_YKJUhS-I/AAAAAAAACfY/OSr6ezg177Y/s1600/IMG_0414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nccrixiqq60/Tc_YKJUhS-I/AAAAAAAACfY/OSr6ezg177Y/s320/IMG_0414.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the village from atop one of the surrounding hills</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Our very nice friend Ramzi invited us to visit his family at their home in Ajlun for lunch and a tour around the area. Those of you who follow this blog will remember I posted a column about our visit to Ajlun Castle last year. Until yesterday that's the only part of Ajlun I'd been lucky enough to see.<br />
<br />
The day started out somewhat cooler than usual (no shorts today!) and rainy. Yes, thats right; rainy! 14th May and was raining! It's unheard of over here! Nevertheless, it turned out to be a gorgeous day.<br />
<br />
Our first stop was the family house in the village where we were treated with Turkish coffee and biscuits (cookies).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tQvruI-W-9o/Tc_tMN9jc5I/AAAAAAAACjI/CHlU0LYd87I/s1600/IMG_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tQvruI-W-9o/Tc_tMN9jc5I/AAAAAAAACjI/CHlU0LYd87I/s320/IMG_0492.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refreshment in the Owais house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After a short visit with the family we drove round the town for a few sights and then headed up to the top of the mountain to see the family's summer house. It's really a beautiful place to see! While we were there the hired hand dug up a Rosemary plant for me that's now living happily in a new pot so she can flavor my cooking a bit from time to time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-SMp306gVk/Tc_cX6cIjqI/AAAAAAAACgg/OKuqmeUKjxU/s1600/IMG_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-SMp306gVk/Tc_cX6cIjqI/AAAAAAAACgg/OKuqmeUKjxU/s320/IMG_0432.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gate to the summer house</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3NMf17gE1BE/Tc_bs3XJMXI/AAAAAAAACgU/aUT9Fa3ctoU/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3NMf17gE1BE/Tc_bs3XJMXI/AAAAAAAACgU/aUT9Fa3ctoU/s320/IMG_0429.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main house</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OdG54d7G4TA/Tc_cIuIklxI/AAAAAAAACgc/FOmXRnRyVXE/s1600/IMG_0431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OdG54d7G4TA/Tc_cIuIklxI/AAAAAAAACgc/FOmXRnRyVXE/s320/IMG_0431.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of driveway</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VIZIw3l5qaI/Tc_dMdZO24I/AAAAAAAACgs/LidtbRyWX3s/s1600/IMG_0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VIZIw3l5qaI/Tc_dMdZO24I/AAAAAAAACgs/LidtbRyWX3s/s320/IMG_0435.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosemary!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0y8E9u3cy4A/Tc_dfrhJ38I/AAAAAAAACgw/4Of3PYgotK8/s1600/IMG_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0y8E9u3cy4A/Tc_dfrhJ38I/AAAAAAAACgw/4Of3PYgotK8/s320/IMG_0436.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosemary now has a new home in one of my pots</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c46Lo8DCfC4/Tc_b5JbsleI/AAAAAAAACgY/Kxz9Ty8GeNI/s1600/IMG_0430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c46Lo8DCfC4/Tc_b5JbsleI/AAAAAAAACgY/Kxz9Ty8GeNI/s320/IMG_0430.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many breathtaking views from the house</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2iNfzNHST8E/Tc_d8bF9v0I/AAAAAAAACg4/2nDmgxeapl8/s1600/IMG_0438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2iNfzNHST8E/Tc_d8bF9v0I/AAAAAAAACg4/2nDmgxeapl8/s320/IMG_0438.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Z_KcwzLo9E/Tc_eHqWNjOI/AAAAAAAACg8/EHd7N_-81-g/s1600/IMG_0439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Z_KcwzLo9E/Tc_eHqWNjOI/AAAAAAAACg8/EHd7N_-81-g/s320/IMG_0439.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r04-zBWW6c4/Tc_eS1a18OI/AAAAAAAAChA/RKxJhdGIMRY/s1600/IMG_0440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r04-zBWW6c4/Tc_eS1a18OI/AAAAAAAAChA/RKxJhdGIMRY/s320/IMG_0440.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did you ever see yellow Queen Anne's Lace?</td></tr>
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After visiting the house we drove to Mar Elias. It was here that Prophet Elias (Elijah) was born.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hv2oAmbcJGw/Tc_dwtIpEWI/AAAAAAAACg0/ifMQTo2pZUc/s1600/IMG_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hv2oAmbcJGw/Tc_dwtIpEWI/AAAAAAAACg0/ifMQTo2pZUc/s320/IMG_0437.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Z_KcwzLo9E/Tc_eHqWNjOI/AAAAAAAACg8/EHd7N_-81-g/s1600/IMG_0439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Z_KcwzLo9E/Tc_eHqWNjOI/AAAAAAAACg8/EHd7N_-81-g/s320/IMG_0439.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYDjRtW0_qc/Tc_ekTbNdqI/AAAAAAAAChE/aXqFNH50SgA/s1600/IMG_0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYDjRtW0_qc/Tc_ekTbNdqI/AAAAAAAAChE/aXqFNH50SgA/s320/IMG_0441.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From this side of the site you can see Palestine on the distant hills</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GD3DSOMZBHU/Tc_e8FWgwDI/AAAAAAAAChI/W-NQIFEpOso/s1600/IMG_0442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GD3DSOMZBHU/Tc_e8FWgwDI/AAAAAAAAChI/W-NQIFEpOso/s320/IMG_0442.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is said that anything for which you pray, whilst lighting a candle at this altar will be granted</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3fU-Bvjnl40/Tc_f5fvF9lI/AAAAAAAAChU/Wf9tVuBV9yE/s1600/IMG_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3fU-Bvjnl40/Tc_f5fvF9lI/AAAAAAAAChU/Wf9tVuBV9yE/s320/IMG_0445.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I reckon it can't hurt...right?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xWODa_IwvF0/Tc_gcA7Il_I/AAAAAAAAChc/G3U2a_Fa1aY/s1600/IMG_0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xWODa_IwvF0/Tc_gcA7Il_I/AAAAAAAAChc/G3U2a_Fa1aY/s320/IMG_0447.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our host and guide, Ramzi Owais</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FR9u8hIY_hY/Tc_i_8S_00I/AAAAAAAAChs/RosMEAVNWZE/s1600/IMG_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FR9u8hIY_hY/Tc_i_8S_00I/AAAAAAAAChs/RosMEAVNWZE/s320/IMG_0455.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just one of the many intact fragments of the mosaic floor of the church</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zra5li3vxFQ/Tc_iurOH5hI/AAAAAAAACho/txHEBB9SBGQ/s1600/IMG_0454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zra5li3vxFQ/Tc_iurOH5hI/AAAAAAAACho/txHEBB9SBGQ/s320/IMG_0454.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baptismal font</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-281edxd0ZJY/Tc_iFbwo-7I/AAAAAAAAChk/NTuNwaMlRec/s1600/IMG_0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-281edxd0ZJY/Tc_iFbwo-7I/AAAAAAAAChk/NTuNwaMlRec/s320/IMG_0452.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior view of water cistern. I estimated it to be around 10 meters deep</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K2Dl-K8-0h0/Tc_h1--jfQI/AAAAAAAAChg/BswSL11XsBU/s1600/IMG_0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K2Dl-K8-0h0/Tc_h1--jfQI/AAAAAAAAChg/BswSL11XsBU/s320/IMG_0451.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water cistern. Water was transported here through a network of small canals</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WRtQ1tKcamQ/Tc_jVrare-I/AAAAAAAAChw/0n89TSygOuk/s1600/IMG_0456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WRtQ1tKcamQ/Tc_jVrare-I/AAAAAAAAChw/0n89TSygOuk/s320/IMG_0456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_rJeUD7JMl4/Tc_j_3stfWI/AAAAAAAACh0/7-i17XZbdnc/s1600/IMG_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_rJeUD7JMl4/Tc_j_3stfWI/AAAAAAAACh0/7-i17XZbdnc/s320/IMG_0458.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D4xpe24v974/Tc_kYcPgn0I/AAAAAAAACh4/Y7XIvuei9Q0/s1600/IMG_0459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D4xpe24v974/Tc_kYcPgn0I/AAAAAAAACh4/Y7XIvuei9Q0/s320/IMG_0459.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People, mostly Indians, tie ribbons on this tree as they recite their prayers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MpLDtySqZKU/Tc_lIOxs04I/AAAAAAAACh8/X7wXbZBL78M/s1600/IMG_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MpLDtySqZKU/Tc_lIOxs04I/AAAAAAAACh8/X7wXbZBL78M/s320/IMG_0461.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tombs adjacent to the church</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjKJ3_Q4i3k/Tc_mWGvQ_lI/AAAAAAAACiM/poL0vwUnYwo/s1600/IMG_0467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjKJ3_Q4i3k/Tc_mWGvQ_lI/AAAAAAAACiM/poL0vwUnYwo/s320/IMG_0467.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vsa0-kMROOE/Tc_ly4IdlVI/AAAAAAAACiE/xo84RQuy9kU/s1600/IMG_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vsa0-kMROOE/Tc_ly4IdlVI/AAAAAAAACiE/xo84RQuy9kU/s320/IMG_0464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I4eglrKBqf0/Tc_la9oHNSI/AAAAAAAACiA/fGLNnyUIpyI/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I4eglrKBqf0/Tc_la9oHNSI/AAAAAAAACiA/fGLNnyUIpyI/s320/IMG_0462.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting down into the tombs was a tricky situation, unless you happen to be a goat...</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wM44oHKBvmU/Tc_nJyRtUuI/AAAAAAAACiQ/ya6NOMXRsCU/s1600/IMG_0470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wM44oHKBvmU/Tc_nJyRtUuI/AAAAAAAACiQ/ya6NOMXRsCU/s320/IMG_0470.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KCwuQU9BYm4/Tc_nc3uYzsI/AAAAAAAACiU/ZPWbPGBPLYI/s1600/IMG_0471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KCwuQU9BYm4/Tc_nc3uYzsI/AAAAAAAACiU/ZPWbPGBPLYI/s320/IMG_0471.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEdwP4xW8bY/Tc_oeM1DEmI/AAAAAAAACiY/gQNAbhRj2Vc/s1600/IMG_0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEdwP4xW8bY/Tc_oeM1DEmI/AAAAAAAACiY/gQNAbhRj2Vc/s320/IMG_0474.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many archaeological artefacts on display around the area of the church</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sHeuFu5PvQo/Tc_rWNimZWI/AAAAAAAACi0/R6EbliS2xo4/s1600/IMG_0484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sHeuFu5PvQo/Tc_rWNimZWI/AAAAAAAACi0/R6EbliS2xo4/s320/IMG_0484.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ancient olive trees fill these mountains. Some of them are many hundreds of years old, dating back to the Roman occupation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBEYQVU3Aes/Tc_Xv7bQsbI/AAAAAAAACfQ/rQOq3cTaVqU/s1600/IMG_0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBEYQVU3Aes/Tc_Xv7bQsbI/AAAAAAAACfQ/rQOq3cTaVqU/s320/IMG_0412.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More views of Ajlun from the mountaintop</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HkJqJnwAkzY/Tc_ZRpkvPxI/AAAAAAAACfs/HPUl6JvI3xw/s1600/IMG_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HkJqJnwAkzY/Tc_ZRpkvPxI/AAAAAAAACfs/HPUl6JvI3xw/s320/IMG_0419.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice Ajlun Castle on top of the mountain just behind us</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LN1mVAQkKo8/Tc_ZqiBRPuI/AAAAAAAACf4/ZFV-aC7O2Pg/s1600/IMG_0422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LN1mVAQkKo8/Tc_ZqiBRPuI/AAAAAAAACf4/ZFV-aC7O2Pg/s320/IMG_0422.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes Ol' Big Jim is just too shaky to operate a camera...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZSncJSvH_c/Tc_aQV1PALI/AAAAAAAACgA/quxAJPSMaBQ/s1600/IMG_0424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZSncJSvH_c/Tc_aQV1PALI/AAAAAAAACgA/quxAJPSMaBQ/s320/IMG_0424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving through the forest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q920vJyvA1Y/Tc_aq8YxGeI/AAAAAAAACgE/2JxDAAWLm6c/s1600/IMG_0425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q920vJyvA1Y/Tc_aq8YxGeI/AAAAAAAACgE/2JxDAAWLm6c/s320/IMG_0425.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of these are almond trees. We picked a few green ones and ate them. Very tasty!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4xiuXIm5kdI/Tc_rjyebyUI/AAAAAAAACi4/nNBN-hQRjOI/s1600/IMG_0485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4xiuXIm5kdI/Tc_rjyebyUI/AAAAAAAACi4/nNBN-hQRjOI/s320/IMG_0485.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice how neatly the sheep keep the trees trimmed at the bottom!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ig-a5kYHMFg/Tc_r-iOBVVI/AAAAAAAACi8/KJrh6dUbO6Q/s1600/IMG_0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ig-a5kYHMFg/Tc_r-iOBVVI/AAAAAAAACi8/KJrh6dUbO6Q/s320/IMG_0488.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zzigp-pN_rE/Tc_swsAXIpI/AAAAAAAACjA/D2TvHGSDIpc/s1600/IMG_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zzigp-pN_rE/Tc_swsAXIpI/AAAAAAAACjA/D2TvHGSDIpc/s320/IMG_0490.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made stop at an olive press. After the oil is extracted, the pulp is compacted and allowed to dry. Afterwards it is burnt to make charcoal for grills and arghileh</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4IPpj3uyDAk/Tc_s_Mn5xpI/AAAAAAAACjE/CGA46z-PidM/s1600/IMG_0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4IPpj3uyDAk/Tc_s_Mn5xpI/AAAAAAAACjE/CGA46z-PidM/s320/IMG_0491.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prophet Khidr was a companion of Elijah. His tomb is very near Ajloun Castle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnOMlaEmL44/Tc_tViwApoI/AAAAAAAACjM/-5P3C71vses/s1600/IMG_0493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnOMlaEmL44/Tc_tViwApoI/AAAAAAAACjM/-5P3C71vses/s320/IMG_0493.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful end to a beautiful day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-91074204814749445092011-05-15T00:38:00.000+03:002011-05-15T00:38:04.786+03:00Souk Jara - Rainbow Street - Jabal Amman<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrxeSi6T340/Tc4SSTyY7zI/AAAAAAAACc4/dnzAq-xhM-w/s1600/IMG_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrxeSi6T340/Tc4SSTyY7zI/AAAAAAAACc4/dnzAq-xhM-w/s320/IMG_0366.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the famous Souk Jara in Rainbow Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Souk Jara! After much anticipation and excitement, I finally made it over to the famous souk in Rainbow Street, Jabal Amman. To say I was disappointed would be something of an understatement. The blogs and columns I've read about it led me to believe it was a "flea market". And, I reckon it was a flea market... of sorts. As far as I could tell, however, it was a souk designed to capture and appeal to foreign tourists. Almost every piece of merchandise I saw, I have seen in various "tourist trap" type gift shops all round the kingdom.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psCRd-B49tU/Tc4LeLK5g6I/AAAAAAAACbA/sRYu5psns5Y/s1600/IMG_0336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psCRd-B49tU/Tc4LeLK5g6I/AAAAAAAACbA/sRYu5psns5Y/s320/IMG_0336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PRe80rSab-k/Tc4LrAFa8BI/AAAAAAAACbE/1OBkII1--eU/s1600/IMG_0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PRe80rSab-k/Tc4LrAFa8BI/AAAAAAAACbE/1OBkII1--eU/s320/IMG_0337.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This chap had rather an interesting marketing idea. Notice he has a tiny beehive on his booth top showing the bees actually making the honey! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YIr3fNXeVco/Tc4L2rhCA9I/AAAAAAAACbI/kicMUHWLueY/s1600/IMG_0338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YIr3fNXeVco/Tc4L2rhCA9I/AAAAAAAACbI/kicMUHWLueY/s320/IMG_0338.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">abo Zaky and Osama trying to figure out where to go next</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLUki0pKPxk/Tc4MEsL5YvI/AAAAAAAACbM/50ORnNyLuEs/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLUki0pKPxk/Tc4MEsL5YvI/AAAAAAAACbM/50ORnNyLuEs/s320/IMG_0339.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-exp4u0HZc4E/Tc4Mal20qkI/AAAAAAAACbU/AVkNK2o-I20/s1600/IMG_0341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-exp4u0HZc4E/Tc4Mal20qkI/AAAAAAAACbU/AVkNK2o-I20/s320/IMG_0341.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the pastry he is tossing in the air? It's almost as think as tissue paper.. think phyllo!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W1TM9SFiaow/Tc4MsT7XuKI/AAAAAAAACbY/o57LE8AuWlk/s1600/IMG_0342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W1TM9SFiaow/Tc4MsT7XuKI/AAAAAAAACbY/o57LE8AuWlk/s320/IMG_0342.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zd5Ld7XiMFY/Tc4NpTHZ-_I/AAAAAAAACbo/Jn0CwxLu_Gw/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zd5Ld7XiMFY/Tc4NpTHZ-_I/AAAAAAAACbo/Jn0CwxLu_Gw/s320/IMG_0346.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old cameras, 8mm moving cameras, phonographs, typewriter, etc. One of the few really interesting booths in the souk</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PcD81aYxJv0/Tc4N8ZyR9dI/AAAAAAAACbs/qHX2ckatrY0/s1600/IMG_0347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PcD81aYxJv0/Tc4N8ZyR9dI/AAAAAAAACbs/qHX2ckatrY0/s320/IMG_0347.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vdAxmp9pp7Q/Tc4ORw6BffI/AAAAAAAACb0/cEaKzWSq1as/s1600/IMG_0349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vdAxmp9pp7Q/Tc4ORw6BffI/AAAAAAAACb0/cEaKzWSq1as/s320/IMG_0349.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And who doesn't love a bit of bote3?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Souk Jara</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-5285249064551595582011-05-12T00:03:00.000+03:002011-05-12T00:03:22.185+03:00Umm al-Jimal, and Desert Castles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fFjT0W_LdE4/TcrKiNaq_bI/AAAAAAAACS0/tDuFTDkjtH8/s1600/IMG_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fFjT0W_LdE4/TcrKiNaq_bI/AAAAAAAACS0/tDuFTDkjtH8/s320/IMG_0181.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">“Far out in the desert, in the midst of a rolling plain, beside the dry bed of an ancient stream, there is a deserted city.... The walls of the ancient deserted city, its half-ruined gates, the towers and arches of its churches, the two and three-story walls of its mansions, all of basalt, rise black and forbidding from the grey of the plain. Many of the buildings have fallen in ruins, but many others preserve their ancient form in such wonderful completeness, that, to the traveler approaching them from across the plain, or viewing them with the aid of a field glass from the nearest crests of the Djebel Haur'n, the deserted ruin appears like a living city, all of black, rising from a grey-white sea” (H. C. Butler, Princeton Expedition to Syria II, 1913: 149-50).</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> The words of Butler as he approached Umm al-Jimal are far superior to any words I might craft in an attempt to convey the majesty of these beautiful ruins in northern Jordan. Driving down the lane leading to the town, seeing the ruins beginning to come into view made my heartbeat just a bit faster and my breaths just a bit shallower. I was so excited to see this marvel of basalt I could barely </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">contain my excitement!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Umm al-Jimal (Mother of the Camel) is remarkable because of the substantial ruins of a Byzantine and early Islamic town that are clearly visible above ground. The town was first settled in the 2<sup>nd</sup> century CE after the famed Emperor Trajan annexed the Nabatean Empire into the Roman Empire and called it Arabia Petraea. Queen Zenobia (Julia Aurelia Zenobia Cleopatra), the ruler of Syria decided to revolt against the Romans in the mid-3<sup>rd</sup> century, and was somewhat successful in that she conquered Egypt and ruled it until 274 CE. It was during this revolt that most scholars agree the city of Umm al-Jimal was destroyed.She managed to rule for a few years until Rome came back and conquered her and her kingdoms again. She was taken to Rome and paraded through the streets in golden chains to show the Roman citizenry the power and majesty of the Empire.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The stones used to build the town were cut from the quarries of basalt in the plains nearby and the houses, store-rooms, churches were constructed in the unique Haur’n architectural style. Because of its location on the arid, treeless plains there was absolutely no wood for building. The stone was shaped in such ways as to replace wood and nails. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Walking through the streets and buildings and churches filled me with awe and wonder. Nineteen centuries have passed and the town is still astonishingly preserved despite wars and earthquakes. One can't help feeling a sense of insignificance when surrounded by such rich history. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The architecture is something to behold. Notice in the photographs that no concrete or mud was used in the construction, but the stones are cunningly shaped to fit perfectly, like a jigsaw puzzle.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wbj1sA2jBwU/Tcq9E5qCG-I/AAAAAAAACQE/FLjmxqpOMbs/s1600/IMG_0136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wbj1sA2jBwU/Tcq9E5qCG-I/AAAAAAAACQE/FLjmxqpOMbs/s320/IMG_0136.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuVhX0Unoec/Tcq9S-khWAI/AAAAAAAACQI/S_ENaPnLYVY/s1600/IMG_0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuVhX0Unoec/Tcq9S-khWAI/AAAAAAAACQI/S_ENaPnLYVY/s320/IMG_0137.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry fitted stones still standing after nearly 2000 years</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJiKtOhKBEM/Tcq-X3NyU4I/AAAAAAAACQY/ABuD7_PBJL0/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJiKtOhKBEM/Tcq-X3NyU4I/AAAAAAAACQY/ABuD7_PBJL0/s320/IMG_0141.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BH6n59rMLxY/Tcq_3FSWe0I/AAAAAAAACQo/rrYoXTwwcsA/s1600/IMG_0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BH6n59rMLxY/Tcq_3FSWe0I/AAAAAAAACQo/rrYoXTwwcsA/s320/IMG_0146.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floor joists, for lack of a better word; these stones supported the floors laid above</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KIZcSc3HS4/TcrBmfGPcZI/AAAAAAAACRA/_h_jDl9Yp08/s1600/IMG_0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KIZcSc3HS4/TcrBmfGPcZI/AAAAAAAACRA/_h_jDl9Yp08/s320/IMG_0152.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stairs leading to the upper floors</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DmrclSKSnkM/TcrDYFukTOI/AAAAAAAACRQ/Ej_ryqvfy90/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DmrclSKSnkM/TcrDYFukTOI/AAAAAAAACRQ/Ej_ryqvfy90/s320/IMG_0156.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greek inscriptions in the stones</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rxaAWpN5OV0/TcrEdKlfi2I/AAAAAAAACRc/n2Nv-FCkBHA/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rxaAWpN5OV0/TcrEdKlfi2I/AAAAAAAACRc/n2Nv-FCkBHA/s320/IMG_0159.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANpIthIIUG8/TcrHGfGuhhI/AAAAAAAACSA/kfaTbTy-9q8/s1600/IMG_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANpIthIIUG8/TcrHGfGuhhI/AAAAAAAACSA/kfaTbTy-9q8/s320/IMG_0168.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7sMExauGKj8/TcrHXCUPmmI/AAAAAAAACSE/t5JTGBdn08E/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7sMExauGKj8/TcrHXCUPmmI/AAAAAAAACSE/t5JTGBdn08E/s320/IMG_0169.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ULW66Xnl8OI/TcrNCKEnDlI/AAAAAAAACTc/VxKEsIcbLfg/s1600/IMG_0191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ULW66Xnl8OI/TcrNCKEnDlI/AAAAAAAACTc/VxKEsIcbLfg/s320/IMG_0191.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VbM_f8TqVZU/TcrN8iTGopI/AAAAAAAACTs/qcx5zsoX-g8/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VbM_f8TqVZU/TcrN8iTGopI/AAAAAAAACTs/qcx5zsoX-g8/s320/IMG_0195.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r5sfi0ytlmc/TcrNtLR4htI/AAAAAAAACTo/LQliP3qDi8g/s1600/IMG_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r5sfi0ytlmc/TcrNtLR4htI/AAAAAAAACTo/LQliP3qDi8g/s320/IMG_0194.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JT6sHl8ZdkE/TcrNej3VfsI/AAAAAAAACTk/96XZdPUco_w/s1600/IMG_0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JT6sHl8ZdkE/TcrNej3VfsI/AAAAAAAACTk/96XZdPUco_w/s320/IMG_0193.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the supports in these four pictures. The floor supports were lain on them and the floors built over that</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJWcBnOFSX4/TcrNRLO4pgI/AAAAAAAACTg/UAOWVNrWzmw/s1600/IMG_0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJWcBnOFSX4/TcrNRLO4pgI/AAAAAAAACTg/UAOWVNrWzmw/s320/IMG_0192.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A magnificent arch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yi0ZgsqofiY/TcrSPCFNDdI/AAAAAAAACUo/dL-CDjcatW4/s1600/IMG_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yi0ZgsqofiY/TcrSPCFNDdI/AAAAAAAACUo/dL-CDjcatW4/s320/IMG_0210.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking upward at the underside of a second story floor</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I think I could have wandered about this town for day without tiring of it. The wonders of it! The history! It seemed I could hear, just barely, the voices from the past with stories to tell. Stories of building homes, raising families and enjoying life in this beautiful, dark town. The black basalt stones at first seemed to be drab and depressing. But seeing the ingenuity of the construction, the open lay-out made me think the ancients lived happily here until Zenobia got up to her shenanigans.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Enjoy a few more pictures before we travel to the desert castles.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CRdpn9ScxPg/Tcq505JJf0I/AAAAAAAACPQ/8wetVZT099k/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CRdpn9ScxPg/Tcq505JJf0I/AAAAAAAACPQ/8wetVZT099k/s320/IMG_0123.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IfuHwBWn1OU/Tcq6WpW2QRI/AAAAAAAACPY/A3407dZ0GMM/s1600/IMG_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IfuHwBWn1OU/Tcq6WpW2QRI/AAAAAAAACPY/A3407dZ0GMM/s320/IMG_0125.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmggmL8h7vc/Tcq6oB7dXBI/AAAAAAAACPc/J5DhQYaq5so/s1600/IMG_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmggmL8h7vc/Tcq6oB7dXBI/AAAAAAAACPc/J5DhQYaq5so/s320/IMG_0126.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zeek and Ramzi chatting with the caretaker</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkFA-_lT7Po/Tcq62Wf9S7I/AAAAAAAACPg/bW6ZmTRn_VM/s1600/IMG_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkFA-_lT7Po/Tcq62Wf9S7I/AAAAAAAACPg/bW6ZmTRn_VM/s320/IMG_0127.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QNpT8AMt120/Tcq7z1jDKhI/AAAAAAAACPw/cudXBDMnPm0/s1600/IMG_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QNpT8AMt120/Tcq7z1jDKhI/AAAAAAAACPw/cudXBDMnPm0/s320/IMG_0131.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vqJMjH-IPCA/Tcq8DhViDsI/AAAAAAAACP0/cZHhcJpIzfQ/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vqJMjH-IPCA/Tcq8DhViDsI/AAAAAAAACP0/cZHhcJpIzfQ/s320/IMG_0132.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our friend, and Zeek's classmate, Ramzi</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8odKH90U9q8/Tcq8O3KILlI/AAAAAAAACP4/Fu_fUZwPg6Y/s1600/IMG_0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8odKH90U9q8/Tcq8O3KILlI/AAAAAAAACP4/Fu_fUZwPg6Y/s320/IMG_0133.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R0JfcmeGyQw/Tcq9iWb6SrI/AAAAAAAACQM/c2AXLNOaeKo/s1600/IMG_0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R0JfcmeGyQw/Tcq9iWb6SrI/AAAAAAAACQM/c2AXLNOaeKo/s320/IMG_0138.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ulH-EeZ7mhM/Tcq9wBcSulI/AAAAAAAACQQ/heiIOcFagao/s1600/IMG_0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ulH-EeZ7mhM/Tcq9wBcSulI/AAAAAAAACQQ/heiIOcFagao/s320/IMG_0139.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the door at ground level in the background. It was the only example of white stone we saw</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gbpRVSY0Mw/Tcq9-22608I/AAAAAAAACQU/1cXRruuj0Og/s1600/IMG_0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gbpRVSY0Mw/Tcq9-22608I/AAAAAAAACQU/1cXRruuj0Og/s320/IMG_0140.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuvJxuf7rCY/Tcq-tLm5PhI/AAAAAAAACQc/HxyXmM3obT4/s1600/IMG_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuvJxuf7rCY/Tcq-tLm5PhI/AAAAAAAACQc/HxyXmM3obT4/s320/IMG_0142.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ol' Big Jim hobbling round, trying to see every single thing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BMXkkA2-7kQ/Tcq_CasXrHI/AAAAAAAACQg/U6z30f6KxCM/s1600/IMG_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BMXkkA2-7kQ/Tcq_CasXrHI/AAAAAAAACQg/U6z30f6KxCM/s320/IMG_0144.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Un5Uf332FGg/Tcq_jCLAR8I/AAAAAAAACQk/R6-BWceAdXk/s1600/IMG_0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Un5Uf332FGg/Tcq_jCLAR8I/AAAAAAAACQk/R6-BWceAdXk/s320/IMG_0145.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time in my life I ever saw a door too short for me to walk through!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QpluPC7Ji9c/TcrAIMs8-iI/AAAAAAAACQs/t4yKY98_uPw/s1600/IMG_0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QpluPC7Ji9c/TcrAIMs8-iI/AAAAAAAACQs/t4yKY98_uPw/s320/IMG_0147.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramzi</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kk99_mi9_cs/TcrAZP4r61I/AAAAAAAACQw/YZALs8qWjYo/s1600/IMG_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kk99_mi9_cs/TcrAZP4r61I/AAAAAAAACQw/YZALs8qWjYo/s320/IMG_0148.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oops, looks like Ol' Big Jim has spotted a treasure on the ground</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cqKynk0xk88/TcrAvgEAfNI/AAAAAAAACQ0/PmN5QvA1cbc/s1600/IMG_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cqKynk0xk88/TcrAvgEAfNI/AAAAAAAACQ0/PmN5QvA1cbc/s320/IMG_0149.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Little" Ramzi...so tall he can't completely fit into a photo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPwisMCofKI/TcrBQLRmSdI/AAAAAAAACQ8/RgKk-EFZKyU/s1600/IMG_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPwisMCofKI/TcrBQLRmSdI/AAAAAAAACQ8/RgKk-EFZKyU/s320/IMG_0151.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1tARrsbUNIQ/TcrEQLDbkMI/AAAAAAAACRY/mEbo_jl2JiM/s1600/IMG_0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1tARrsbUNIQ/TcrEQLDbkMI/AAAAAAAACRY/mEbo_jl2JiM/s320/IMG_0158.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Capital from an old column</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gQT6gJ735QE/TcrEqqGB4LI/AAAAAAAACRg/fen4EnMkUkI/s1600/IMG_0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gQT6gJ735QE/TcrEqqGB4LI/AAAAAAAACRg/fen4EnMkUkI/s320/IMG_0160.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the wall is leaning inward, probably as a result of a catapult that destroyed the central section</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visitor's Center</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDbyUqbFb60/TcrKVL-uWqI/AAAAAAAACSw/tXXbPaNDTT8/s1600/IMG_0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDbyUqbFb60/TcrKVL-uWqI/AAAAAAAACSw/tXXbPaNDTT8/s320/IMG_0180.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remains of a church. There were many churches in this town in the Byzantine era</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fFjT0W_LdE4/TcrKiNaq_bI/AAAAAAAACS0/tDuFTDkjtH8/s1600/IMG_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fFjT0W_LdE4/TcrKiNaq_bI/AAAAAAAACS0/tDuFTDkjtH8/s320/IMG_0181.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Tbhp9vfTJ0/TcrM1-ue0qI/AAAAAAAACTY/m-BeMK4Np9k/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Tbhp9vfTJ0/TcrM1-ue0qI/AAAAAAAACTY/m-BeMK4Np9k/s320/IMG_0190.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing! An ancient Ace of Spades! Made of plastic too, and from China! Who knew they were already so active 1900 years ago??</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j2tC_fQBcmY/TcrOMlj-MqI/AAAAAAAACTw/fmdG3j5I1W4/s1600/IMG_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j2tC_fQBcmY/TcrOMlj-MqI/AAAAAAAACTw/fmdG3j5I1W4/s320/IMG_0196.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CyzZewdi47o/TcrQPr7AbZI/AAAAAAAACUQ/20iThx8qwjo/s1600/IMG_0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CyzZewdi47o/TcrQPr7AbZI/AAAAAAAACUQ/20iThx8qwjo/s320/IMG_0204.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8HVzsHDtbM/TcrQpKcjA0I/AAAAAAAACUU/GLNmiQL14TA/s1600/IMG_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8HVzsHDtbM/TcrQpKcjA0I/AAAAAAAACUU/GLNmiQL14TA/s320/IMG_0205.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd really like to know the story behind this stone, but sadly I haven't gotten it yet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMves1DyRvs/TcrRJ2i8jDI/AAAAAAAACUY/1krB69X4QhE/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMves1DyRvs/TcrRJ2i8jDI/AAAAAAAACUY/1krB69X4QhE/s320/IMG_0206.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Bnx4iT1gZg/TcrSs322h7I/AAAAAAAACUw/hOIGWy11a1c/s1600/IMG_0212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Bnx4iT1gZg/TcrSs322h7I/AAAAAAAACUw/hOIGWy11a1c/s320/IMG_0212.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjTcO896gTE/TcrS8pugzFI/AAAAAAAACU0/uzsyNCvNoQ4/s1600/IMG_0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjTcO896gTE/TcrS8pugzFI/AAAAAAAACU0/uzsyNCvNoQ4/s320/IMG_0213.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Umm al-Jimal behind...for now</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N2NN8eSo87I/TcrTMAgZ-FI/AAAAAAAACU4/eDq7KWEeceg/s1600/IMG_0214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N2NN8eSo87I/TcrTMAgZ-FI/AAAAAAAACU4/eDq7KWEeceg/s320/IMG_0214.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tourist Police headquarters</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As we left Umm al-Jimal behind I was stricken by the utter flatness of the landscape in stark comparison to the mountainous regions just a few kilometers south. I had to make a couple of pictures of the seemingly endless fields we drove through to get to our next destination.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hxFa6ZXxSUY/TcrTYfYGqMI/AAAAAAAACU8/6yyI7DkjOOA/s1600/IMG_0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hxFa6ZXxSUY/TcrTYfYGqMI/AAAAAAAACU8/6yyI7DkjOOA/s320/IMG_0215.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The earth here is quite fertile and grows very nice wheat</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PZNXaCumMSU/TcrTmMbs4TI/AAAAAAAACVA/7jmqhP-m17Y/s1600/IMG_0216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PZNXaCumMSU/TcrTmMbs4TI/AAAAAAAACVA/7jmqhP-m17Y/s320/IMG_0216.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sdwzUVEFvRg/TcrTy3odICI/AAAAAAAACVE/fPA1s0FfRAM/s1600/IMG_0217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sdwzUVEFvRg/TcrTy3odICI/AAAAAAAACVE/fPA1s0FfRAM/s320/IMG_0217.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> Our next stop was al-Hallabat, another ancient castle in the desert. Due to restoration activities we decided to save it for a later visit. I'll tell you all about it another time. We did make a few pictures at the visitors center, though. They have a very nice exhibit at the entrance showcasing some of the architectural elements that have been recovered. There is also a wall with inscribed basalt stones that is very nicely done. I was very impressed by the fact that they are generating their power through solar cells. The Tourist Police invited us into the office and served us coffee as we chatted about where we came from, what we're doing and so on. They seemed genuinely happy to see us, and treated us with that famous Arab hospitality I'm always going on about. I'm looking forward to our return visit.</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ii1q2XnTvpU/TcrUAerq8NI/AAAAAAAACVI/X0M7DA7Z_rM/s1600/IMG_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ii1q2XnTvpU/TcrUAerq8NI/AAAAAAAACVI/X0M7DA7Z_rM/s320/IMG_0218.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xGCsSted3Ew/TcrWx7SIebI/AAAAAAAACV8/osHqXpjRkJA/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xGCsSted3Ew/TcrWx7SIebI/AAAAAAAACV8/osHqXpjRkJA/s320/IMG_0231.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0cI9lBLqNZQ/TcrW87UbCTI/AAAAAAAACWA/fBrnZlkBAtg/s1600/IMG_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0cI9lBLqNZQ/TcrW87UbCTI/AAAAAAAACWA/fBrnZlkBAtg/s320/IMG_0232.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PnjH1arXNjc/TcrXI7dCMuI/AAAAAAAACWE/UB_VUqFhP3s/s1600/IMG_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PnjH1arXNjc/TcrXI7dCMuI/AAAAAAAACWE/UB_VUqFhP3s/s320/IMG_0233.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saw this house as we were leaving al-Hallabat and couldn't resist a photo. I love the gate!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p>Our last stop of the day was at Qasr Azraq. It too dates back to the Roman Empire and was later taken by the Muslims. It is said that Lawrence of Arabia spent some time here during the Great Arab Revolt against Great Britain.</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUhn1URnGuk/TcrgHYDNRVI/AAAAAAAACYY/LVj-uTWnV3s/s1600/IMG_0269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUhn1URnGuk/TcrgHYDNRVI/AAAAAAAACYY/LVj-uTWnV3s/s320/IMG_0269.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E3yKiAM41cI/TcrXgSmZ0LI/AAAAAAAACWI/mgxHkN4GEPw/s1600/IMG_0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E3yKiAM41cI/TcrXgSmZ0LI/AAAAAAAACWI/mgxHkN4GEPw/s320/IMG_0234.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rjOVsf5bG2Y/TcrXuK4MhtI/AAAAAAAACWM/6E12A7bpoAc/s1600/IMG_0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rjOVsf5bG2Y/TcrXuK4MhtI/AAAAAAAACWM/6E12A7bpoAc/s320/IMG_0235.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saw the flowers growing at the front gate and instantly thought of my Aunt Frances. I knew I had to have pictures of them for her.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WmJ1CgbiHu8/TcrYCumz1oI/AAAAAAAACWU/kZ4C9S3aVVs/s1600/IMG_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WmJ1CgbiHu8/TcrYCumz1oI/AAAAAAAACWU/kZ4C9S3aVVs/s320/IMG_0237.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x-1GbH0r9EY/TcrYLK4A3PI/AAAAAAAACWY/0REEHBkxkH0/s1600/IMG_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x-1GbH0r9EY/TcrYLK4A3PI/AAAAAAAACWY/0REEHBkxkH0/s320/IMG_0238.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YfwcB9MdTQo/TcrYlvpYqyI/AAAAAAAACWc/m8nZrlMXd4o/s1600/IMG_0239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YfwcB9MdTQo/TcrYlvpYqyI/AAAAAAAACWc/m8nZrlMXd4o/s320/IMG_0239.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the mosque built in the center of the castle keep. Stones were cannibalized from broken buildings in order to build it</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UQIuvLLdLto/TcrZs3ILesI/AAAAAAAACWs/afXoGaAPtfM/s1600/IMG_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UQIuvLLdLto/TcrZs3ILesI/AAAAAAAACWs/afXoGaAPtfM/s320/IMG_0243.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0HYD9Vv4w5I/TcrZdE9KG7I/AAAAAAAACWo/tkDkbj-wsBo/s1600/IMG_0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0HYD9Vv4w5I/TcrZdE9KG7I/AAAAAAAACWo/tkDkbj-wsBo/s320/IMG_0242.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rjgjidbedkk/TcrZEykApVI/AAAAAAAACWk/Qkc0Hph90Q0/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rjgjidbedkk/TcrZEykApVI/AAAAAAAACWk/Qkc0Hph90Q0/s320/IMG_0241.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vBE7qWLJFEg/TcrY1NA5v6I/AAAAAAAACWg/X4fzYW7SN0Q/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vBE7qWLJFEg/TcrY1NA5v6I/AAAAAAAACWg/X4fzYW7SN0Q/s320/IMG_0240.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zeek lifting a stone. As it was sitting in a bowl-like structure, it might have been a grinding stone. However, I am more inclined to believe, due to its weight that it may actually have been a catapult stone</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bnfyNalDTk/TcrZ9mIVumI/AAAAAAAACWw/BpZGtZca4Uo/s1600/IMG_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bnfyNalDTk/TcrZ9mIVumI/AAAAAAAACWw/BpZGtZca4Uo/s320/IMG_0244.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gawd, I love a porch!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9H7TCoBUASc/TcraMYYVxTI/AAAAAAAACW0/kya1X3MBV8c/s1600/IMG_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9H7TCoBUASc/TcraMYYVxTI/AAAAAAAACW0/kya1X3MBV8c/s320/IMG_0245.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out to see if you are looking back to see if I am looking back to see if you are looking back at me...</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rO_XM_ptR8Y/TcraUocWOYI/AAAAAAAACW4/F4G_vXheNLQ/s1600/IMG_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rO_XM_ptR8Y/TcraUocWOYI/AAAAAAAACW4/F4G_vXheNLQ/s320/IMG_0246.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDX8pGsqMQg/Tcraj3f42vI/AAAAAAAACW8/99PSNxrRmhs/s1600/IMG_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDX8pGsqMQg/Tcraj3f42vI/AAAAAAAACW8/99PSNxrRmhs/s320/IMG_0247.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CgSGuztTpv0/Tcrba3rzg6I/AAAAAAAACXM/mZF05_MQUBI/s1600/IMG_0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CgSGuztTpv0/Tcrba3rzg6I/AAAAAAAACXM/mZF05_MQUBI/s320/IMG_0251.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of the impressively built mosque</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xUdZGbRST90/TcrbRmtCARI/AAAAAAAACXI/G4RKG28iBhw/s1600/IMG_0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xUdZGbRST90/TcrbRmtCARI/AAAAAAAACXI/G4RKG28iBhw/s320/IMG_0250.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You think climbing that stair was easy for an old fat man?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSyj-ChLqWI/TcrbBMdfEBI/AAAAAAAACXE/hG91p-Wdyho/s1600/IMG_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSyj-ChLqWI/TcrbBMdfEBI/AAAAAAAACXE/hG91p-Wdyho/s320/IMG_0249.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit easier for "Little" Ramzi</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LqB_e0yH7Lc/TcraxliNUII/AAAAAAAACXA/dq_ATm6RV-M/s1600/IMG_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LqB_e0yH7Lc/TcraxliNUII/AAAAAAAACXA/dq_ATm6RV-M/s320/IMG_0248.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFa1jO8LJno/Tcrb3jvTDnI/AAAAAAAACXU/Cd8iU_-ovYw/s1600/IMG_0253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFa1jO8LJno/Tcrb3jvTDnI/AAAAAAAACXU/Cd8iU_-ovYw/s320/IMG_0253.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ol' Big Jim standing in the Qibla of the mosque</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qFKuyYFLLKI/TcrcE_2RjzI/AAAAAAAACXY/LeYAV2DDLMc/s1600/IMG_0254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qFKuyYFLLKI/TcrcE_2RjzI/AAAAAAAACXY/LeYAV2DDLMc/s320/IMG_0254.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9drHNJYxZu8/Tcrcmlt7k0I/AAAAAAAACXg/4Y8RfghAAu0/s1600/IMG_0256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9drHNJYxZu8/Tcrcmlt7k0I/AAAAAAAACXg/4Y8RfghAAu0/s320/IMG_0256.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure about this place. May have been a market place. Notice the beautiful arches; again with no cement!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exterior of mosque</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z2V5nGIzzfU/TcreGWzh-cI/AAAAAAAACX4/i7I0_QjYyQg/s1600/IMG_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z2V5nGIzzfU/TcreGWzh-cI/AAAAAAAACX4/i7I0_QjYyQg/s320/IMG_0262.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little "museum" had a few artefacts on display. Sadly the were poorly identified</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXQkyoJ8NQM/TcreTeNnjcI/AAAAAAAACX8/ixLt3NtBbY4/s1600/IMG_0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXQkyoJ8NQM/TcreTeNnjcI/AAAAAAAACX8/ixLt3NtBbY4/s320/IMG_0263.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I noticed quite a lot of stones carven with animal motif, much like the mosaics in the southern cities, Madaba in particular</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--DdI8fY1zyw/TcrecrKX5yI/AAAAAAAACYA/Y7Dp_LqigU8/s1600/IMG_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--DdI8fY1zyw/TcrecrKX5yI/AAAAAAAACYA/Y7Dp_LqigU8/s320/IMG_0264.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pmo6sZ0MEWk/TcrfiRS-mqI/AAAAAAAACYQ/XlF_Qg1ADzo/s1600/IMG_0268+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pmo6sZ0MEWk/TcrfiRS-mqI/AAAAAAAACYQ/XlF_Qg1ADzo/s320/IMG_0268+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahlan, ahlan al Urdun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HIVuwVH2v0k/TcrfQIoxJNI/AAAAAAAACYM/1eIvGDfGSiM/s1600/IMG_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HIVuwVH2v0k/TcrfQIoxJNI/AAAAAAAACYM/1eIvGDfGSiM/s320/IMG_0267.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Jordan!</td></tr>
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Come back to visit me soon. I'll have more stories to tell and sights to share!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-3505536184155294192011-05-08T16:48:00.001+03:002011-05-08T16:48:05.985+03:00formspring.meAsk me anything <a href="http://formspring.me/olbigjim" target="_blank">http://formspring.me/olbigjim</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17300851607264036257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653193842411695611.post-34610533711575271522011-05-08T09:26:00.000+03:002011-05-08T09:26:02.357+03:00Mother's Day - Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rgPoo_xrN_4/TcY0UAy0sGI/AAAAAAAACOY/4G2Jaab8PsM/s1600/LittleNormaGrace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rgPoo_xrN_4/TcY0UAy0sGI/AAAAAAAACOY/4G2Jaab8PsM/s320/LittleNormaGrace.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">A week or so ago I accidentally posted the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mother’s Day column on my blogsite earlier than I had planned. It turns out that the accidental posting was serendipitous in many ways. I received quite a few comments about the column; many of which resurrected more memories of Mother that I thought were worth writing about.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">When looking back across half a century, some memories stand out more than others. Others are tucked away only to be taken out and enjoyed from time to time and still others are hidden until a chance word or a similar story from someone else uncovers them.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I’m reminded of one simple memory that is from late 1962 or perhaps Easter 1963. Bonita was still just a tiny baby. Mother had gotten enough fabric to make shirts. All the shirts are identical…for Tony, Michael and Dwayne. Dad always insisted that I should wear a white shirt. That year we went to Noccalulla Falls. I don’t know if it was on Easter day or sometime in that spring, but I’ve always liked this picture of us standing near the falls. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">In my day my siblings and I, and probably most of the rest of the world, loved the fables of Aesop and the Grimm brothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since Mother has always been a little woman, I’m not sure how she pulled it off but she would get the three of us on her lap and read those stories to us. Of course there were always the pleas for “just one more”… I’m sure that would have been the case even if she read the entire book! After she read the three of us chattered like a lap-full of magpies about this and that, but there was a recurring theme; “When I get big I’m gonna…” It always varied; from buying you a big house to getting<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you a big new car. Each of us tried to outdo the other in what we were going to do “when we got big”. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">When I was just a little tyke I always called Mother by her first name, Norma. It’s the only thing I’d ever heard her being called, so naturally I thought that’s what I should call her. I called out to her, as I stood in the kitchen door, “Norma!” I reckon that day she’d decided that her kid had called her by her christian just exactly enough times to get on her last nerve. So, she sat down and pulled me up onto her lap and told me how parents, brothers and sisters, friends, etc called each other by their first name. But, kids didn’t call their parents by name. “You can call me Mama, or you can call me Mother, you make up your mind, but you can’t call me Norma anymore.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I chose “Mother” because she called her own Mother “Mama”. I still call her Norma Grace to this day…sometimes.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I’ve always had something of an independent streak; not to mention stubborn. When I’m sick I usually just want to be left bloody well alone. Mother could never understand that. On the thankfully few occasions I didn’t feel well Mother hovered. She meant well, bless her heart, but I swear she would worry the horns off a billy goat with the constant checking, touching, feeding and the endless rain of questions; “Are you…..”, “Do you…..” and, and and.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">When I was in my very earliest teen years I went through a period of extremely bad nightmares. Even today, more than forty years later I can remember them as vividly as the nights they came to me. The depth of the horror and the consequences of the decisions I made in those dreams were so unspeakable that to call them evil and twisted is to make them seem better than they really were. Until today I have never told another living soul what was in those dreams. Naturally, Mother was insistent that I tell her what I had dreamt. I reckon she thought that knowing what I was dreaming about, she could explain them away. It’s the first time I can really remember consciously lying to her. I knew she could never possibly understand, or even accept what was going on in my bizarre dream world. So I made up a story and, by God stuck with it all these years. I’ve no idea how long those dreams lasted, but I do remember that when I woke up screaming like the very Banshee, Mother was there in seconds trying to calm me; talking to me to help me not be afraid to sleep again. My biggest fears were two. I was scared to death that if I slept again the dream would continue where it left off, and I was most afraid that someday I might let the secret of those dreams slip. I think those were the only times that it simply wasn’t possible for her, or anyone for that matter, to comfort me.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I think I mentioned Mother’s biscuits in my last column. Where I went wrong there was to omit her teacakes. Now, let me just tell you this; I’ve eaten a teacake or two in my day. Except for Mamaw Wright’s, no one could even approach the quality of Mother’s! Dozens upon dozens of times I’ve sat at the kitchen table and watched her make them. Until today, when I attempt to make them they taste (to put it somewhat delicately) like vanilla perfumed horse apples. During the war in Lebanon in the early 80’s I had the stunningly good fortune to be stationed in USS Austin (LPD-4) off the coast of Beirut. It was during this time that we lost so many Marine and Navy lives in the infamous bombing. Before that event though, Mother decided to send me a “care package”. Among other things, she filled the box with banana nut loaves and God only knows how many teacakes. I’ll tell you why God only knows in just a few seconds, but first a bit of background. During those days, one of the favorite targets for attack was the airport. As a result we sometimes didn’t receive mail for days, or even weeks. During the fighting there would be lots of activity over there as you might well imagine.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Well, one fine day UN control over the airport was regained and the mail began to flow again. In addition to a dozen or so letters I got a largish box with Mother’s return address on it. To say the box was beat up would be a gross understatement. There was even a tire mark across one corner of the box!! Now, remember this box had been in transit for a week or so before languishing in the humid heat of Beirut for another week or so. When I opened the box and discovered the contents my happiness was almost uncontainable! I like to save the best for last, so my first package to unwrap was a loaf of banana bread. My elation fell to earth like a stone. It was shot through and through with mold. I damn near ate it anyway, but eventually thought better of it. After all, I still had teacakes! NOT ONE teacake had survived intact! But, of course the nature of teacakes is that they are somewhat dry, right? So, no mold had infested them. I trotted down to the mess deck, grabbed a couple of spoons and my friends and I hoovered those teacakes with spoons! They couldn’t have been more delicious if I had been standing in Mother’s kitchen, eating them right out of the oven! The joy brought by a taste of home, when you are the other side of the world, absolutely cannot be described. I’m sure that any serviceman will tell you exactly the same thing.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Being a Mother must be the most difficult and, to a great extent, thankless job on the face of the earth. It’s a nine-day wonder to me that most women haven’t given it up as a bad idea. But, happily for those of us who are here, most have counted the costs and benefits and continued to go forth and multiply. Those of us fortunate enough to count our Mothers amongst the living are fortunate indeed. No matter how smooth or rocky the parent child relationship, no matter the distance between Mother and child, no matter the past mistakes, spats, fights, and what-have-you, Mother is always there. I’m grateful that my Mother is still here to read my words and return my love and I feel a deep sympathy for those who have suffered a loss I can’t begin to fathom.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Happy Mother’s Day…. Norma Grace!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
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