“Prisoner” Of The Bedouins Of Jordan-II

Bedouin woman. Does she look like a camel to you? (freewebs.com/dragonflydesignsbyalisa/ottomansteampunk.htm)

Louis L’Amour once said that “You can’t fight the desert…you have to ride it.”

And the best way to ride the desert of Jordan would be to start your ride in the valley of Wadi Rum, in the saddle of a horse or camel or in the saddle of a 4×4 tour, regardless of which of these ones you may prefer.

Wadi Rum ( Jeep safari Wadi Rum (travelpod.com/travel-photo/kadadiri/1/1285075074/jeep-safari-wadi-rum.jpg/tpod.html))

No matter the transport means you may choose, the vast whiskey colored sand is not going to vanish over the night and the tea which has been often referred to in terms of “Bedouin whiskey will certainly not be excluded from the rituals of hospitality with which the “inhabitants of the desert”, namely the fascinating Bedouins intend to treat you with. They may as well treat you with a camel just waiting to be ridden across the dunes of the desert…and if they happen to find you attractive enough and most importantly single, you may as well end up being whispered the following words “You look like a camel”. And just before you get to be offended by this comparison, put your “wheels” into motion and think…their whole life spins around the desert and whatever element gets to be part of this desert landscape and certainly camels are part of this landscape….As such, this comparison, though weird to many of those who are not Bedouins, comes as a compliment, a way in which they get to express their admiration for your beauty…Such a compliment would be welcomed by a Bedouin bride with a healthy blush and a movement of eyelashes. You may choose to do the same if willing to become the wife of a Bedouin!

Looking like a camel or not, though something tells me that once there you may choose to adopt the robe of a Bedouin as well, much for your protection against the sometimes annoying, yet so pleasant at other times sand and of course against the sometimes scorching heat of the sun, you may wish to take steps through the sand dunes. On your feet, accompanied by a Bedouin who seems to possess a sixth sense knowing exactly where he places himself and yourself on the map of the Jordanian desert, this time the valley of Wadi Rum, you may get to feel either exhausted of seeing so much sand or get to love to step on it.

Sunrise Wadi Rum (panoramio.com/photo/4862356)

Things have been settled as far as sand is to be brought into discussion, yet there comes the tea ritual. And when I say ritual, there certainly happens to be one such ritual as there is also one involving coffee. It is said that when being welcomed with a cup of coffee you should avoid placing it down, unless you wish to have a serious dispute with your host. The custom requires that if you wish no more coffee when returning the cup you should not forget “shaking” it.

I did wish to mention this so as not to fall into the trap not knowing that this is customary there…yet, I shall now go back to the exploration, if only in written this time, of the Wadi Rum valley. Once there you may experience the feelings one gets when spending a night around a campfire in a desert landscape and you may certainly witness a magnificent astounding sunset from up a jebel. That would get to spell to you the end of a new day.

Wadi Rum -Horse (panoramio.com/photo/4862356)

The next day will welcome you with a sweet tea or a coffee carrying with it cardamom aroma and a loud Ahlan wa sahlan meaning welcome. When in Jordan you’ll certainly feel welcomed! Welcomed by the dunes, by the people, by the carved in stone cities, by the granite and sandstone mountains and most certainly by Bedouins, Bedouins which make a large part of the population of Jordan.

A trip to Wadi Rum may get you acquainted with the spirit of the desert and the spirit of the Bedouins as well. Much like an Arab proverb says “Sunshine all the time makes a desert.” Does this desert happens to be your desert too? If it does, then Jordan awaits you…11