Whew. Feel alot better than I did on the 4th.
Yesterday I got up early to see Petra. Really awe inspiring (as one would imagine). Walked around with a guy from UNC who's about to cross to the West Bank to teach poetry to Palestinian kids.
BUT, the coolest thing I did was ride a donkey up to the Monastary, about a half hour ride up these rickity stone stairs. Behind me, this Bedouin with the biggest moustache I've ever seen was alternatly yelling at him to hurry up, and then shushing him when he got too close to the edge of the stairs. Quite an experience.
After I made it back to the hotel (walking around in nearly 40C heat for 7 hours will take it out of you...), I slept, and then went to a barbeque on the roof of the hostel. Then, the proprieter announced that we were all going to the desert. So, me, Alex (a brit who I've now run into in three different countries unplanned), this beautiful Bolivian human rights lawyer, and another american girl, hop in this pickup truck and speed into the desert. Alex and I were in the back. No, Jordanians don't drive any safer than Syrians. Or Lebanese. I think I might make my mother cry if I thought about how many chances I've had for vehicular disaster on this trip.
Anyways, we get off the road after about 30 minutes, and then offroad for another 10, before we get to this spot in the middle of fuck-all nowhere. They attach a string of lights from the car battery, lay down a mat, and start bumping Latin American pop from the car cab.
"We dance now," says Ibrahim.
So, we danced. For like 3 hours. Eventually, we heard the clammer of big animal footsteps, and these 4 other Bedouins show up. On donkey. Apparently, according to "Cave Man", they were having a barbeque in the desert, heard the music, and wanted to come kick it.
S0, we drank tea (bedouin whiskey), learned the secrets of sexual virility (camel milk), and danced. Eventually, we stopped, and stared at the stars. There's so little artificial light out in the desert (obviously), that the stars looked so close you could touch them.
"But not like in my town in the Andes," says the Bolivian girl. "There, at 4000 meters, the stars are 3D."
Maybe thats where I'll go next.
My Dear Son,
ReplyDeleteWell, you may have been close to vehicular disaster many times on this Journey, but it is clear to me that you are truly following the Music of your Soul and NOTHING could make me happier.
I am SO proud of you!!! I'm also confident that your current Life Adventure has more wonderful things in store!
Love from your Adoring and In Awe Mom xoxox
PS: Everyone is really enjoying your blogs here Stateside so keep em comin'. One of my male VO colleagues told me that you are his "new hero!" Lol. I think the Syrian Brothel entry perked up quite a few ears! The Jones Family all send their love. BTW, Genny had me read all of your blogs aloud to the whole group on the fourth of July up at their home in Deer Lake. That was quite fun and felt like a "You Are There!" movie.
LOVE this post!!! So glad you are having such awesome experiences. Love you! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteOh, Joshua, what fun! Here in Austin, we've been through the second wedding of the summer -- two absolutely exquisite parties, one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been to. Jewish, as well, so we're in the right part of the world. The rabbi didn't dance, as far as I know.
ReplyDeleteAnd Sadie, too, is enjoying your blogs -- especially "Sorry, Grandmother!" Be safe ...
Tomorrow I'm off to see your baby cousin Sonya and the other San Francisco relatives.
Love, Grandmother