Petra, Jordan: Dust, Dates, and a Seriously Weird Echo
okay, wow. where do i even start? petra. it’s…a lot. i’m elara, by the way, and i’m a singer-songwriter, currently touring the Middle East with a band that’s about as organized as a flock of pigeons. we’re supposed to be playing a festival in Dubai next week, but right now i’m just trying to shake the red dust out of my hair.
we landed in Amman a few days ago, and then it was a ridiculously early bus ride to Wadi Musa, the town closest to Petra. the whole thing felt like a fever dream. i’m still not entirely sure if i was awake for most of it.
The weather? i just checked and it’s hovering around 8 degrees celsius, feels like 7. not exactly beach weather, let me tell you. i’m bundled up in like, five layers. my guitar case is practically a second suitcase at this point.
Petra itself…it’s breathtaking, obviously. all those carved facades in the sandstone. but it’s also intense. you’re walking for miles, up and down these ancient steps, dodging donkey carts and aggressive souvenir vendors. my feet are killing me. seriously. i need a foot massage. like, yesterday.
I spent most of my time trying to find a quiet spot to just…listen. you know? as a musician, i’m always searching for sounds, for inspiration. and petra is full of them. the wind whistling through the Siq, the echoes bouncing off the canyon walls…it’s incredible. i even tried recording some ambient sounds, but the tourists kept shouting.
Someone told me that the Monastery (Ad Deir) is the best view in Petra, and they weren’t wrong. it’s a brutal climb to get there, but totally worth it. the scale of it is just…mind-blowing. i sat there for ages, just staring. i tried to write a song about it, but it just came out sounding like a cheesy travel commercial. maybe i need more coffee.
Speaking of coffee, finding decent coffee here is a challenge. it’s mostly strong, bitter stuff. i’m starting to miss my oat milk lattes. i did find a little cafe in Wadi Musa that served something vaguely resembling a cappuccino, though. check out the reviews on TripAdvisor - it’s called “Desert Rose Cafe” and it’s a lifesaver. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g666678-d12345678-Reviews-Desert_Rose_Cafe-Wadi_Musa_Ma_an_Governorate.html
I heard that the Bedouin people who live in the area have a really fascinating history. i didn’t get a chance to learn much about it, but i’d love to go back and spend more time talking to them. maybe next time i’ll skip the tourist traps and just wander around with a local guide.
If you’re looking for a bit of a change of pace, Aqaba is just a short drive away - it’s a coastal city on the Red Sea. Apparently, the snorkeling is amazing. I’m not much of a swimmer, but maybe i’ll give it a try. https://www.visitjordan.com/
Oh! and the echoes in the Siq are seriously weird. i yelled “hello” and it came back to me like, five times, all distorted and spooky. it was kind of unsettling, actually.
Anyway, i’m off to find some more coffee and try to salvage my sanity. petra is incredible, but it’s also exhausting. i’m already dreaming of a hot shower and a comfortable bed. and maybe a decent cup of tea.
For more info on planning your trip, check out Lonely Planet's Jordan guide: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/jordan
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/sha-tin-hospital-hype-skateboarders-raw-review-rumor-mill
- https://topiclo.com/post/schools-in-ar-rayyn-a-caffeinefueled-rant-from-a-coffee-snob
- https://topiclo.com/post/why-i-hate-breda-but-cant-stop-posting-about-it
- https://topiclo.com/post/pros-and-cons-of-living-in-kisangani-a-messy-guide-from-someone-whos-been-there
- https://topiclo.com/post/housing-market-in-sagamihara-renting-vs-buying-trends