Amman, the Dead Sea and Petra

The (Saudi) weekend arrives tomorrow and I’m spending it in Jordan. I am flying into Amman tomorrow night around 7, renting a car (which I am not sure I am supposed to be able to do, but I’ll find out), and driving to a hotel on the Dead Sea. Thursday morning I am going to wake up early and make the ~2 ½ hour drive down to Petra for the day. Petra is a historic city from around 6 BC. The city remained unknown to the Western world until 1812. It’s on a number of “must see in your life” lists that I have seen. It was also one of the settings for Indian Jones and the Last Crusade. I plan to spent 5 or 6 hours walking around Petra before heading back to the Dead Sea and the hotel.

Friday I’ll spend a little time on the beach, perhaps drive down to the baptismal site, maybe have lunch in Amman and head back to Riyadh. I hope everything runs on time this weekend…

Also, my time in the Middle East is starting to come into better focus. It looks like I’ll be here until either June 16^th or 23^rd. Here is how I think it will play out:

5/12: Jordan

5/19: Likely staying in Riyadh for work

5/25: NYC for a few days for work

6/2: Not sure – possibly Tel Aviv (though it is very tricky due to the Saudi / Israeli relationship…you basically have to convince the Israelis not to stamp your passport), or Syria

6/9: Beirut (hopefully with the team)

6/16 or 23: Possibly London or Istanbul on the way back to the States