NEWS FLASH: Guess who might be coming for mensaf?

Hills north of Petra

The Washington Post has mentioned that the soon-to-be Royal British newlyweds might be honeymooning in Jordan; imagine how Petra will handle that- can you picture them staying with Bedouin friends in Um Sayhum, or on donkeys headed up to The High Place of Sacrifice? Will/Kate if you’re reading this please bring some of the rice from your wedding for the mensaf. Gee Meme, they might be in the chalet next to ours on the Dead Sea in early May; we’ll see… inshallah… Of course, with me being Phillip Arthur and his dad being Charles Philip Arthur (I was using a couple of those names for over a year before him) it might be hitting a little close to the ol’ castle.

Springtime in lizardland

We took a short excursion to Petra Pequeno (PP...Little Petra) today. A gorgeous day, with clear blue skies, wonderful temps (71F/22C); love and spring were in the air. Many times again today I found myself saying: the scenery here is incredible!

Bill & Bruce at PP

The area is sometimes referred to as the suburbs of Petra. It contains Nabataeans living & dining hall areas, deep cisterns for water, and locales where fields would have been growing crops. I could not believe the depth of the blackened “cultural soil” from many years of fire and ash.  Bruce bought some myrrh (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrrh) and frankincense today: being on a trade route this has long been a good place to procure your myrrh. No camels, horses or donkeys due to narrow siqs.

pack-it-in-pack-it-out

Regarding donkeys, I’d like to get your opinion of what you consider abuse of these long-laboring animals, and what is just part of their position description:

A)    Donkey hauling trash down from The Monastery (822 stair-steps)? (if you look closely, the load is lighter than probably what they hauled up-the-hill [cans & bottles full]).

B)    Donkey carrying PAP visitor?



donkey discipline



   C)    Donkey being whipped by donkey-boy headed home uphill to Um Sayhoun (this one is plastic pipe, but unbraided at end cable is very popular)?



dumpster diving donkeys



   D)    Donkey eating trash from dumpster at Umm Sayhun?

Some have been wondering about my mom’s condition – your thoughts & prayers are appreciated and working some. She is out of hospital, and at rehab. More tomorrow (inshallah)…