Petra, Jordan
Most people come to Jordan to see Petra and plan their vacation around it. It is definitely up there with most impressive ruins around the world. It is so famous that when Reine from Jordan Tourism asked me what I was most excited about in Jordan she was surprised I answered food and not Petra.
Do not underestimate my love of food.
But I knew Petra was a big deal. I had seen the photos of the Treasury, named so because people mistakenly thought this large space had once been a bank. Apparently they were wrong but it remains the iconic photo of Jordan.
My guide Mahmoud and I traisped through the beautiful canyon to the Treasury and it lived up to the hype but after the obligatory photos he explained this was just the beginning of Petra. In fact only one-fifth of the ruins had been discovered but the site is massive and most of it is underground.
As he explained the history we were approached by some Bedouin children trying to sell souvenirs. All were very polite and certainly not as aggressive as those I have encountered at other sites like Angkor Wat.
It tugs at your heart.
Mahmoud explained that tourists should not buy from these children. There are many programs to get these children into school, and if people did not buy from them they would have a better opportunity in the long run.
With so many options at Petra Mahmoud asked me what I wanted to do, I had already explained that I am a self-professed lazy traveler.
He was hesitant to push me to do any hiking but knew there were a couple of climbs of 800 steps or more. He liked the Monastery the best but warned me it could take an hour to climb. Not wanting to pressure me he did say I could take a donkey up hill.
I am lazy but I am also stubborn.
There is no way I would not take a donkey up or any other animal. I could put my laziness aside for an hour.
And I did.
It was a surprisingly easy climb with shallow steps and sights to keep me occupied so time passed quickly. I was shocked when we reached the top that there was this massive site.
It was worth it and now I have redefined my adversion to hiking from all hiking to hiking for more than two hours.
I'm Ayngelina and in my mid-thirties. I left an amazing job, boyfriend, apartment and friends to find inspiration in Latin America. I'm creating a new life choosing what I want instead of what other people think I should do.
So gorgeous, the pictures are so beautiful, good job Ayngelina
One of the most amazing places I have ever been. Well done on the hiking progress!
robin recently posted..Return of K
Thanks. I almost considered doing one of the other hikes but then thought I shouldn’t get crazy!
Love the first photo! Totally drew me in.
I used to detest outdoor activity and that went even when I was traveling. But somewhere whether it was to try different things, get new experiences or lose weight (I think it must’ve been the latter), I’ve gotten to love hiking and water sports and such. Hang in there.
Grrrl Traveler| Christine recently posted..Atrocities of Tourism: 6 annoying habits of tourists
I think my problem is I clump all outdoor activities under one umbrella. I don’t enjoy steep climbing but easy hiking is pretty nice.
OMG I so wanna go there…. Jumping some spots to the top on my bucket list
Great post!
Sebastian recently posted..Photo of the Week: Take Away in Thessaloniki, Greece
The Treasury is nice but the Monastery is spectacular.
… which is why I keep telling people hiking is for EVERYONE, as long as it’s easy hiking.
Michael recently posted..The Delphic Oracle On Easy Hiking
I guess I didn’t consider it hiking if it wasn’t steep. I do like easy hiking
Careful there, it’s a slippery slope; soon you’ll increase that to four hours of hiking, and then maybe a day, and before you realize, you’ve signed up for a week of hiking!
Great photos thou, I’m sure it was worth it
Jarmo recently posted..Why Thailand Hates Backpackers, or Why I Visited Burma
Yep, it’s a slippery slope!
Abi recently posted..Hot Octopus & Straw Shoes: A Winter Festival in Japan
That blue sky is surreal (particularly as we’ve been in China/the South China Sea for the past week where things are bleak and gray and ugly)–the bluest of blues.
Camels & Chocolate recently posted..The Many Faces of the Taj Mahal
I was really surprised at how blue the skies were as well, we just don´t have that in the Americas.
Ayngelina recently posted..Food Photo Friday: Making bread in Jordan
The part of the ‘not buying from children’ makes me think of Senegal where I went a couple of years ago. The children were all running after us, opening their hand and saying ‘cadeaux’ (present)… because tourists were used to giving candy or a pen or something like that. Tourists had converted them in beggars and making them unhappy when they didn’t get a thing…
I guess that sometimes we don’t realize how something that looks innocent or even a good thing can turn into something bad.
Sad how our good intentions as foreign tourists can create an entire enterprise of begging & dependency
When poverty’s in your face, especially from young children, you want to somehow help instantly. It takes constraint to know that the best thing you as a passer by can do is to offer a smile. Then save your philanthropy giving for investing in more sustainable measures (like education).
Lusso Bags recently posted..Travel Greener
Lovely! Great pics … I don’t mind hiking i short spurts either.
Cheryl recently posted..Where to Eat in Szczecin, Poland.
Looks beautiful! I’m glad the hike was worth it.
Emily in Chile recently posted..The first official Don’t Call Me Gringa survey
I know the feeling! Chances are I would have taken that Donkey,haha.
Congrats!! Love the photos.
Seattle Dredge recently posted..Exploring Iceland’s South Coast
Living in FL, on flat ground, I really do appreciate hiking which I don’t get to do very often. Your photography is gorgeous!
Aggie recently posted..Mushroom and White Bean Tart
I would’ve dreaded going up those steps. But I’m sure the feeling of reward was well worth it. This place is on my bucket list!
Gerard ~ GQ trippin recently posted..Tech Trippin | Essential Travel Gadgets
hey there,
I’m so glad to hear your positive thoughts on your visit to my country Jordan , It’s a magical place that even amazes me , and I’ve lived here all my life , I’d like to invite you to come back for more , visit the central and northern mountains , I live in an amazing little town called “Fuhais ” and would gladly show you around if you stop by , lots of food and wine and chocolate included !!!!
You make it sound all too tempting, I may just have to take you up on your offer.
Ayngelina recently posted..Food Photo Friday: Making bread in Jordan
well as we say in jordan ,” betsharfee ” it means it would an honor if you do , i think you might have my email you’re most welcome to contact me if you’ld like to venture again ! it’s approaching christmass time here in Fuhais and it’s a sight to be scene
Nadim recently posted..fun fast and yummy
Wow, I really love that first photo with the camel, though all of them are lovely. I always hated hiking too, until I realized that pretty much any walk uphill will be worth it for the views below. Sounds like your trip to the monastery was totally worth it!
Jessica recently posted..Postcard from Cologne
I hate to say it but I have climbed a bunch of things hoping at the top it would be ´worth it´ only to find out it really wasn´t.
Really?! That’s such a bummer – which spots would you say were the worst?
Jessica recently posted..How English Sounds to Foreigners + Prisecolinensinenciousol
Beautiful looking place. In my books though, 10 minutes of stair climbing would have qualified you as not lazy. Thanks for toughing it out to get a great picture for us!
Steve recently posted..Hollywood Walk of Fame
Petra looks amazing. Ahhh, I want to go so badly!
Kudos on tackling your hiking aversion. 800 steps is impressive!
I know, I think I only did it because Mahmoud said it was 800 steps!
How can you not love a post that has the tags “Do not underestimate my love for food” and “I am lazy but I am also stubborn”?
Also, how can they know that the other 4/5 of Petra exists if it’s undiscovered…?
Tyler @ roundtheworldtravelchallenge.com recently posted..Losing My Virginity
Actually that is a really good point…
I didn´t ask but I am assuming they must have photos or stories of a bigger city.
I know the Monastery was covered in sand halfway up and you can see the difference in the colour on the building.
The challenge is that they need people who can actually dig it up. So they have a lot of universities come to different areas. Imagine being an archeology student and being able to work on something like this.
Ayngelina recently posted..Food Photo Friday: Making bread in Jordan
I am lazy too some times, but these pictures are so incredible, you would get me to walk a few extra miles just to see all the sights!
Jeanette recently posted..Spiced Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup Recipe for Thanksgiving
You know it was a really shallow hike, I would have felt like I missed out if I took a donkey – which I found out later they really don´t want you to do because it´s hard on the land and not good for the animals.
Ayngelina recently posted..Food Photo Friday: Making bread in Jordan
Good for you adjusting your thoughts on hiking.
Looks like it was well worth the trek!
Krista recently posted..Across the Cafe Table: How to Make Real Italian Coffee
Haha I definitely would have taken the donkey. You are an inspiration to lazy travelers everywhere!
Jackie D recently posted..unemployment cartoon with giraffes
When Mahmoud offered it several times I thought that it would be difficult but I was surprised at how easy it was, I´m sure you could do it too!
Ayngelina recently posted..Food Photo Friday: Making bread in Jordan
I know what you mean. I always like the just the idea of hiking, I have some hiking planned on my travels, but i’m worried that when I get there I won’t like the hiking part as much as I thought I would!
Petra looks wonderful
Petra is unbelievably gorgeous!
We had a similar experience in Cinque Terre, where we decided to do the hike between all five cities. I’ve never seen so many stairs in my life, and if it hadn’t been for mounds of gelato in each city to get us through, I don’t know if I would have made it.
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..Prague Castle’s “Changing of the Guard”
I have also thought of doing the Camino de Santiago in Spain but some people say it´s a crazy hike and not realistic for me because I´m so lazy.
Ayngelina recently posted..Food Photo Friday: Making bread in Jordan
Did you have to walk back down?
No I took the elevator
Ayngelina recently posted..Food Photo Friday: Making bread in Jordan
The photos just make me want to visit more. Cannot wait for TBU there next September!
Cole @ FourJandals recently posted..Budget Travel: 2 Days in York
The pictures and memories (and sense of accomplishment) totally make it worth it, doesn’t it?
Petra is one of my all time favorite places! When we were there one of the locals raced up the back of the monastery as if he were running up a flight of stairs at home. He made it up in about 5 minutes– it was jaw dropping to watch.
Laura recently posted..Can I call it writer’s block if I’m not really a writer?
Good on you for climbing the steps!! I am not a fan of steps at all, but have a feeling if I was in Petra, I would likely suck it up and do it. Just with lots of stops along the way to … to take photos. So glad you got to experience this!! And, I like your amended rule.
dtravelsround recently posted..A brief education: the dark side of the elephant tourism industry
haha, I can definitely relate. Sometimes the struggle makes the destination even sweeter. I love proving to myself I CAN actually do something I had previously sworn I couldn’t.
We really should get together and NOT hike someday. I love not hiking.
Rease recently posted..5 Lessons Learned from Leaping to Spain
So glad you have changed your mind about hiking!! These photos are wonderful, Ayngelina.
Cherina recently posted..Rain, Hail or Shine: Olympic National Park
Hello Ayngelina, congratulations for the small steps. I am recovering from a cycling injury and trying to improve my stamina bit by bit, although I understand our situations are not the same.
Child beggars or children in tourism industry in general is a major problem everywhere, and tourists are largely responsible for encouraging this ‘easy money’ approach.
Priyank recently posted..5 free things to do during a layover in Miami airport
so you are lazy and stubborn?
Zablon Mukuba recently posted..Volunteer abroad testimonials
Yeah that is pretty much it.
I find hiking much more fun when I call it “walking!”
50+ and on the Run recently posted..Turkeys Shopping for Turkeys
Yes I should stop saying the ‘H’ word and it will be a little less intimidating.
Haha, I both love and commiserate completely with the title of this post. Brilliant – made me chuckle =) it’s funny just what motivates us to set foot to flagstone!
Alex Berger recently posted..The Emergence of A Third Type of Hostel: The Official Party Hostel
I know, sometimes I just like to prove that I’m not what I claimed
That’s ma girl!
Hogga recently posted..Why Customs Blows
haha I would still limit my hiking to an hour…. two hours is just crazy! I’m glad you enjoyed Jordan, I am dying to visit!
cailin recently posted..London makes me happy
It’s so worth the hike to the Monastery – glad you made the hike!
And definitely not as hard as it seems.
I’m glad to hear that the hour climb was worth the view and that you’ve expanded your hiking realm.
Mary @ Green Global Travel recently posted..GLOBAL CUISINE: Simple Crock Pot Carnitas (Mexico)
Yes I will definitely rethink my disdain toward hiking the next time it is offered up.
nice pics of a very interesting country. I haven’t been there but it surely looks nice
Joe W | planeters recently posted..St Louis | A Gateway to Fun and Culture
So awesome, hun. Hiking for two hours – yay! One step at a time … or 800 steps in your case.
Love the pictures!
Ceri recently posted..Caribbean Life
Fun hiking for a short time for the site Yes I have hiked or drive for many miles to only find something not worth it – it is nice to be pleasantly surprised
Eileen Ludwig recently posted..Exciting Web Cams for viewing distant places
I hate how some people try to convince me that once you are at the top it’s all worth it, honestly I have been at a lot of “tops” and it wasn’t worth it!