Archives

Finding the Southwest in the Middle East

AMMAN, JORDAN — Walt Disney himself was seduced by the beauty of Sedona, and used the slender pinnacles of the area as a model for Splash Mountain, his famous amusement ride. But Mr. Disney is not the only one who found beauty hidden in the cracks of these sandstone cliffs.

Each year, tourists flood Sedona for a glimpse of what so many others have written, painted, and tried to re-create. The color-drenched rock set against blue Arizona sky attracts an active type to the area. They come ready to explore with climbing ropes in hand and mountain bikes strapped to the roofs of their vehicles. The rich color and mysterious balance of this popular getaway also possesses a relaxing appeal to those seeking refuge in a rare landscape of mountains.

But what about those looking for international adventure of a similar type?

---

---

INTERACTIVES

Listen in…

---

---

The vision of star-gazing at the foot of ancient desert mountains will not be found hiding anywhere in Europe. However, a search farther south yields a small country, or rather a kingdom, once ruled in part by America-born Queen Noor. Nestled safely within the borders of the Middle Eastern country of Jordan lies peace and history waiting to be explored from a camel’s back.

Discovering the exotic therapy of the Middle East is possible to do even nowadays during a time of constant turmoil. The probability of returning not only safe but fascinated by the exploration of this biblical land is likely.

Travel to Jordan from the U.S. is not difficult, and visas are easiest to obtain upon arrival at the airport. Although a consistent history of peace has left the country with few travel advisories, one must not expect to arrive in a clean and modern city.

The capital of Jordan is Amman. It is an old Islamic city caught in a moral and religious game of tug o’ war. Visitors will hear the unfamiliar sound of the call to prayer ringing through the streets, reminding all followers of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, to pray five times a day.

While walking down the city streets, one will find feminine eyes peeking out from behind black veils. However, the vast majority of female Muslims in Jordan cover only their hair with a scarf called a hijab . Men wearing their traditional headscarf, called a kafiya , is as common a sight as American men wearing baseball caps.

However, another side of Amman exists. It is fueled by the desire to live with the comforts of the Western world. There are parts of town tailored to please the higher class, with shopping centers visitors would expect to find in Scottsdale, not the Middle East. Also, it should come as no surprise that Starbucks, McDonald’s, even Safeway have set up shop in this Middle Eastern capital city. Night clubs and swanky restaurants are popping up in the ritzier parts of town, with names written in English not Arabic, the official language of the country.

Accommodations in the small kingdom of Jordan have recently been expanding to cater to luxury-seeking clientele. An influx of tourism hit Jordan when the lost civilization of Petra, the country’s most extraordinary secret, became one of the Wonders of the World.

Far away from the beeping horns of taxis and shouting voices in the markets live the ancient people of Jordan. They have wandered the desert trade routes of the Middle East since before Christ was born: the Bedouin tribesmen.

It is in their homeland of Wadi Rum that the visitor to Jordan will experience life without a clock. Meals prepared over the fire, fresh tea with sage, and falling asleep in a Bedouin camp will mark only the beginning of an adventure into the Jordanian Desert.

Exploration by camel caravan to see authentic hieroglyphics will start to make one feel like a desert wanderer. But for those in search of something a little more thrilling than the view from a camel, Wadi Rum also offers off-road desert safaris.

From the back of an open-air Jeep, travelers can feel the sandy wind in their faces as they’re whisked away to world-class rock climbing sites, sand dunes the size of angry sea swells and breathtaking sunset views.

Soon a massive sun slips below a horizon painted with waves of heat. The stars begin to appear in the sky’s deeper colors as the last beams of light shoot across the desert sand. It is when these last few beams of light disappear that the visitor to Jordan realizes just how at home one can feel in a desert halfway around the world.

Sedona and Wadi Rum belong to different cultures. However, both induce a childlike imagination as one explores the shadows of towering red cliffs. Whether it is the desire to be an Arizona cowboy or Aladdin himself, one should explore these natural amusement parks with bright eyes and open minds.

= = =

>>Email the editor at aklaw@zoniereport.com.

Ashley Paul

This Arizona State University journalism senior is originally from Washington state and is studying abroad in Amman, Jordan. She writes about the similarities between Arizona and the Middle East. Ashley is returning to complete her studies at ASU this fall.