Jordan Jan 2005

Many of the old Roman ruins are still standing among the buildings and homes
in Amman

The Citadel in Amman

The street in front of the amphitheater

Moses Memorial Church on the top of Mt. Nebo

A view of the capital from The Citadel

Home along the hills circling the city

With some very spectacular views

Many busy markets and shops

Nebo's Bronze Memorial

Lots of historical places

The Roman amphitheater in Amman

Old Town Amman

That afternoon, we went to Mt. Nebo.
The resting place of Moses

Looking out towards the Dead Sea, Israel and Palestine

I still vividly remember sitting in the movie theater in 1981 watching Raiders of the Lost Ark. Harrison Ford worked his way through the mile-long Siq and emerged at the red-rocked Treasury.  At the time, I had no idea where it was filmed, but I wanted to see that place in person.  Twenty-four years while living in Saudi Arabia, I had my chance.  That red-rock structure was in Petra, Jordan, and I was only a short flight away.  It is an amazing place and one of the most spectacular areas I have ever visited.

Jordan has been under foreign control for thousands of years.  The Nabataeans were there from before the 4th century BCE, carving out what is now Petra.  Then there was a succession of rulers, Romans, Byzantines, Islamic caliphates, Ottomans, and the British until 1946, when Jordan gained full independence.

The country is 75% desert with a population of 11 million.  90% of that population lives in the capital, Amman. 
The pictures on these pages are from our old website and were optimized for slow dial-up speeds, so they are small and pixelated.