2/10; The Lost City of Petra

 Petra was built by the Nabataeans centuries before the Romans came to control it in 106 AD. It was a major passage way of the silk and spice trade between Europe and Asia. It was gradually abandoned and after the 14th century it was completely lost to the west until being rediscovered in 1812. It is entered through a long Siq, which is a steep narrow gorge. You walk through this for  a little over a mile and along the way marvel at the colors and texture of the rock that towered above you and the various structures and water system carved right into the rock. At last you come upon a small opening that reveals the greatest attraction, theTreasury. This is a huge building carved into the rock. If you remember the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade you will recognize the Siq and the Treasury. We walk further along the Siq and come upon the main city where there numerous shops, temples and civic building along with a theater carved into the mountain. Unfortunately Petra was damaged severely by an earthquake and many of the structures are in ruins. It is still only 10% excavated so one can only imagine the detail below. After lunch we start to head back the three mile track which is all uphill on the return. An enterprising mule vendor works his charm on Sue and we have a very pleasant ride back to the Treasury. From there Nat'l G has arranged buggy rides for the rest of the return. We should have stuck with the mules as the "chariot" ride was quite bumpy but the driver was quite entertaining. We did a little shopping and then back to the hotel. We have a social with a lecture tonight before dinner. Off to Morroco in the morning.