Monday, March 31, 2008

Wadi Rum and the Bedouins

For a few days we stayed at a hotel which is actually a former Bedouin village. Though we are in the desert, it is quite cool and windy. In May summer will come and the temperature will be much hotter; we have all marveled at how good the weather has been...we hear some of you have been driving around in snow, in the Spring!?

The word wadi means valley. Today we went off-roading on the sand in
Wadi Rum. Looking up at the 7 pillars of wisdom rock formation, a handful of us took on the challenge of hiking up a red sand dune. We met the local Bedouins (nomads) who are represented in the Jordanian government but are permitted to travel from place-to-place wherever they choose - they have ancient roots and are known for sheep, goat, and camel herding. They produce goat cheese and many women are being trained in a jewellery trade using silver and beautiful wood or stones. Often there children do not attend the local schools, but the government has begun to provide housing (even though they continue to migrate based on seasonal weather and climate changes) for assistance.









































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