Details in Petra

Tree in the canyon, details of the Treasury, tombs

Petra

Naj, Guard, niche in canyon, first viee of Treasury, church, mosaic, baptistery, weary pilgrims!
Sunday Nov 9th Naj our excellent guide promised a 5 mile walk around Petra and this sounded daunting but in fact it was relatively flat. We decided not to go on horse, camel or bouncy carriage! There is quite a long walk through the canyon to reach the city and an added touch were the Nabatean "guards". The Nabateans were very successful traders throughout the region and they used Aramaic. There are 4 different kinds of tomb - tower, localis, obelisk and royal. Water was crucial to the city and there is a water course through the canyon and reservoirs nearby. It was built between 7th century B.C. to 1st century A.D. You actually descend 1000 feet from the canyon entrance to the treasury so water could flow down to the city. Caravans did not come through the canyon as it is too narrow in places. From 63 B.C. to 106 A.D. the Romans were in the area and eventually they conquered the hidden city in 106 A.D. By the 4th century A.D. there was a bishop and the Romans left in the 7th century A.D. In the 12th century Crusader castles were built. 13th century Muslims occupied and in the 18th century Bedouins started using the tombs as homes. In 1812 Johann Burckhardt came disguised as an Arab.
As we neared the city, all those who had not been before formed up as an "army" with our backs to the entrance and moved into position to turn and see the first stunning view of the Treasury. This was built in the 1st century B.C. It has a Greek urn at the top and Alexandrian capitals. There are 4 eagles, 6 Amazon figures and Isis.
We saw also the entrances to the Royal tombs and tombs for the poor. The unfinished Palace tomb became a church. We followed the Roman road to the market and enjoyed a good lunch together. The 4th century Byzantine church has fine mosaics and one of the largest baptisteries in the East.
In the evening we had Mass in the hotel meeting room - another excellent homily. At dinner we enjoyed white wine of the Holy Land with Anne and Brian from Milford Haven.

St Catherine's monastery, Sinai and Mass in a Bedouin tent

The monastery and burning bush, Mass in the bedouin "tent", crossing the Red Sea to Aqaba.
The visit to the monastery was disappointing. Honestly we were so tired and it was so crowded that we could not appreciate it. The church seemed dingy but we did see the bush which is said to be the burning bush. There was a charge to see the best icons so we skipped that. Went back to the hotel for a shower -no time to swim in the large pool. To mass in a Bedouin "tent" - actually a tea place beside the road. Greta homily by Fr Brendan and the Bedouin kids were fascinated. To get the boat to delightful looking Aqaba and a very pleasant crossing of the Red Sea in our own boat then coach to Petra. Hotel would not change traveller's cheque or the room so I hit the roof. the room was 40 steps down, no view, phone not plugged in, faults in bathroom, no plug, no kettle (we could have brought our own). I was fed up and told Fr Brendan I did not wish to borrow any more cash. We had a nice dinner but were very tired.