AFRICA 5 TO JORDAN

This is the final chapter of my recent 32 day trip of Africa (Cape Town to Cairo) and post trip to Jordan.

It was good to get to sleep late before we had to go.

Hamdy got us all checked in-no hassle-no woe.

We even got a snack supper before landing in Amman.

The rep that met us, whizzed us through, efficient was that man.

A nice surprise-no visa fee!  That helps as cash is low.

Then in our mini bus we climb and to the hotel we go.

They had a buffet dinner set.  We really were not hungry.

But went to have some soup and salad, not to make the chef angry.

Next day we're up and out to see

The many sights of this city.

The citadel upon the hill with palace ruins of old,

The amphitheater where many tales must surely have been told,

Museums and galleries of art and such,

Then it's time for lunch and we eat too much.

Many tastes of Jordanian food

And believe me, it was all very good.

We drove through the neighborhood of the rich,

Then later stopped at a sweet shop which

Tempted our taste buds ever so much

With all their goodies we sampled so much.

At dinner that night we were still so full

Of the bountiful lunch.  It was hard to pull

Ourselves to the table and eat some more.

We give it a try.  What a chore!

Next day we are off to Jerash to see

Hadrian's Gate and the old walled city.

Old roman ruins, the largest and best,

From the second century, was our quest.

Colonnaded streets and a hippodrome,

Plazas and theaters and private home,

Churches and temples, plazas and baths,

Nymphaeum for gawkers who risk their wives rath.

Lunch at a local restaurant was fun

Sampling their food out of the sun .

Then on to the castle at Ajlun.

Best preserved one in the land.

That night we are privileged to share a meal

With a local family.  What a deal.

We pack up and leave Amman next day.

Head for Mt. Nebo and on the way

A stop at Madabo to see the church

With the mosaic floor they found in a search.

It's a 6th century map showing the Holyland,

Egypt and Jerusalem and along the river, Jordan.

The vistas at Mt. Nebo are reaching far and wide.

Distant hills and valleys, the Dead Sea at the side.

The cold wind blows on the mountaintop.  We seek refuge in the church.

As we watched, a group was singing from up in the choir perch.

Side alcoves had mosaic floors, so well preserved were they.

Then down the hill to the Dead Sea we traveled to play.

After lunch there were some who decided to take a float,

You can't sink here and nothing lives nor is there even a boat.

Then on to Petra we hit the road, our poor driver facing the sun.

We arrive in time for our evening meal, and look forward to having some fun.

The big day is here when we'll see the city

That is carved from the rock.  It is so pretty.

We hike down the canyon for four hours or more.

The carvings are spectacular and colors galore.

Words can't explain it, one must go and see.

I'm so glad I went, although sore I will be.

At the end of the canyon our lunch was served.

With a two hour hike out, it was well deserved.

Back at the hotel we arrived in time

To see a gorgeous sunset.  The scenery is prime.

Our hotel is built on the side of a cliff.

The lobby's on top and you go down in the lift.

Our last dinner in Jordan is a special occasion.

With a birthday cake, we'll have a celebration.

For this is the birthday of our guide, Mohammend,

Who's shown us around all over his land.

Next morning a side triip to Little Petra we make.

A much smaller canyon, with signs of a quake.

Heading north we go to the Jordan Valley.

We twist and turn down through the Wadi Viva  Valley.

Along the Dead Sea, a pillar of salt called Lot's Wife.

Warned not to look back, she disobeyed with her life.

Lunch was at a new seaside resort,

Our last meal in Jordan before we depart.

We go to the Jordan River and witness the site

Where John baptized Jesus and others saw the light.

Then on to the airport where we say good-bye

To Mohammed and Kahled and to Cairo we fly.

The next day it's home to the U. S. of A.

We've had a good time, but I have to say

It will be good to rest in my own bed

And see all my friends.  Enough has been said.