I never hesitate to provide information on off beat
destinations or places yet to be discovered to the fullest by our Desi
population…. Here I take you to one such country full of diversity and
authentic Arabian flair.
In general, when one talks of the Middle East the thing
which first strike us is certainly the hostility and safety and not to forget
the media hype as a hub for all terrorist activities. Other than these touts no
one has ever thought of actually what is the ‘Middle East’…..
Before I start with our journey to this fabulous country,
let me explain you in geographical sense, the Middle East is a world region in Western Asia and North-eastern
Africa. The term was created by British military strategists in the 19th
century, and definitions of the Middle East vary; it is not simply a
geographical term, but also a political one, connoting that it separates Europe
("the West") from the Far East, and the traditional trade route of
choice between these two extremes
Ahlan wa Sahlan ! – ‘Welcome to Jordan’! It’s the first and
sometimes only piece of English most Jordanians learn, and from the Bedouin of
Wadi Rum to the taxi drivers of Amman you’ll be on the receiving end of this
mantra every day. The thing is, it really is genuine, and it’s this open armed
welcome that makes travel in Jordan such a delight. In the midst of a very
tough neighbourhood, Jordan retains a calmer air; a peacefulness not prevelant
in surrounding countries
One thing that overwhelms
travelers in Jordan is the sense of history, with every stone seemingly
carrying some historical significance. Amman, Jerash and Umm Qais were cities
of the ancient Roman Decapolis, while biblical sites range from
Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan, where Jesus was baptized, to Mt Nebo, where Moses is
said to have looked out over the Promised Land. Grandest of all, before Christ
was born Nabataean stonemasons carved out their awe-inspiring capital of Petra
from dramatic towering sandstone walls.
Jordan is also a great place
to put down the history books and get active, whether it be driving off the
coast of Aqaba, trekking with the Bedouin in the camel prints of Lawrence of
Arabia, or hiking through stunning river gorges. Jordan’s excellent nature
reserves in particular offer some of the most exciting adventure options in the
Middle East.
Like much of the Arab world, Jordan is trying to balance its tribal traditions and its cherished values of Islam with a push towards the global lifestyle; it’s a tricky balancing act. In the meanwhile travelers in Jordan can still manage to combine the best of both worlds.
In comparison with other
Middle Eastern countries, Jordan can be a little expensive for travelers, but
it’s very compact and has enough compelling attractions (including some spectacular
landscapes) to keep you interested for a couple of weeks. On no account should
you miss it…
So dear travel aficionados
don’t get over with the Middle East as places like Jordan awaits to be
discovered and experienced in true sense…..
