The Majestic Wadi Rum

After a week of pampering myself in Dehab next to the Red Sea, I'm back in my favorite landscape - mountains. A different tribe of Bedouin people inhabit in this area for hundreds of years. Although most had moved into stone buildings in the rum village, a small no. of families still live in tents in the vast desert land.

For three days, I hiked and scrambled (easy climbing) along the many jebels (mountain in arabic) and wadi (valley) enjoying breathtaking views of this land. At nights, we enjoyed simple but delicious meals cooked by our guide, Mohammad and Simone, then spend the night chatting next to the fire, star-gaze or simply take in the 'silence'. I even spend a few moments with the desert foxes when I gave them our leftover rice and chicken - Bedouin style!

For the next few days, I spent time learning to take care of camels. I learned milking, herding (following them through the vast desert floor for hours making sure they do not wander too far while they feed themselves with desert plants), and even witness a few mating sessions.

No word can ever describe my feeling towards the majestic Wadi Rum desert in the south of Jordan. A lifetime will not be enough to explore this land. This will remain permanently inscripted in my memory, just as the Bedouin engravings on the mountains - forever.