Petra: The Final Crusade

There is so much to see of Petra aside from The Treasury. Unfortunately I did not have much time to really go exploring every corner. The instant the group were given some free time  I breathlessly clambered up a hill and into one of the dark crannies. I wanted to actually feel Petra, not just see it from a distance. I’ll go back some day, and really see everything properly.

I made a friend! It was great to have a fellow traveller to go adventuring with. After far too short a time we had to make our way back to the coach park. Did I mention how hot it was that day? I live in Egypt and I was dying. We had a very long distance to go and because of our exploring an impossibly short time to do so. The walking is hard going at Petra. I decided that asking my new friend to carry me might have put a strain on our day old friendship. Luckily she was a nurse. Running miles back to the car park in 35+ heat I was happy to have a medical professional on hand. There are a lot of horse and carts around Petra. If you hate animals and like to look like a prick you can take one instead of doing the walk.  I am at my peak physical unfitness, I was actually panting. I drunk 7 bottles of water that day. We sprinted back past the treasury and the light was just perfect. The treasury was rosy and glowing. It really is a beautiful sight. We marched back through the gorge. I made friends with a cat, as I usually do. His name was Petra and his coat perfectly matched the rock formation – natch.By the time we were almost at the car park, I was so hot and knackered that I was about to give up and just spend the rest of my life living in Petra. I was getting myself into the recovery position when the most amazing thing happened. Goats! It was just like Indy’s “rats” moment, but dryer and with nothing eating my face. They were so darn cute! They were marching with purpose too. Obviously after a hard day eating tin cans they were heading back to their bridge homes. With a parting, “Thanks for the awesome cheese guys”, I had to tear myself away and get on the bus. I was very ready for lunch. So thanks to the guys who were 30 minutes late. I really wanted to come all the way to Petra to sit starving on a bus rather than have the extra time you did exploring.

Lunch was fabulous. All you can eat buffet in a 5 star hotel while looking like a tramp that has been living in the sewers. Dusty and sweaty is a good look on me. Then began the long journey back. I slept on the bus to the boat. I slept on the boat. Then I slept on the bus to the hotel. I got through customs without even a mild frisk. I think the I Love Terrorism vibe is wearing off of me. I love driving through the desert. The stars are so stunning. I would have liked to have stayed awake to count them all.

And with that, my beautiful, hot, dusty, exciting day was over. Petra you will always be a Wonder to me.