The White Wall

Soooo I may have spoken too soon yesterday. About today's post blowing you away. Remember that weather that changed our plans yesterday? Well, today we got some weather. The kind of weather that happens here once in 100 years.

We'd prepped ourselves last night for our journey into the ruins of Petra. Some of us were even going to ride horses in. We were going to dress warmly, pack water, and make our own adventure once we were there.

Then we awoke this morning to the white wall.

there are actual buildings behind this fog, believe it or not

Fog so thick you couldn't see the next building. Yet somehow, still sleeting down freezing rain. Apparently, they NEVER get this kind of weather here.

We had a prayer and worship time in the chilly meeting hall, and discussed the circumstances. We agreed to postpone the trip to reconvene in the early afternoon...much antsy grumbling and cabin-fever anxiousness could be found, but some people just went and took a nap. Others of us got into a ruthless game of Monopoly Deal in the lobby.

the congregation of the lobby

Monopoly Deal: only for the cutthroat

We ate lunch (sometimes it feels like all we're doing here is eating and getting our hiking cut short...that ain't a healthy balance), and decisions were made by Naiem, Tom, Dave, and Rhonda. By the time we reconvened, the sun had broken through in glimpses, and the fog was meandering back over the mountains. But we'd lost half the day, and only a few hours of light remained. So they'd decided to use our day at Petra tomorrow, when the weather is supposed to be glorious and we could actually see these towering carved rock faces without having to be actually face-to-face with them.

But WE HAD TO GET OUT OF THAT HOTEL. We wandered down the street to the newly opened Petra Tourist Center to browse the exhibits and brush up on our history. The gate to Petra itself was only 200 feet from the center - so close and yet so far!

this is our hotel - it's quite pink

Anyhow, that was today. And then we ate dinner, of course, because when are we not eating. A good thing we all get along so well, because this is not a large hotel.

So we keep you in suspense for one more day. Tomorrow, then.

Signing off from Jordan...

bonus picture: 2 Americans-in-keffiyahs sighting!