Mr and Mrs Z seen here en route to his audition at a male fashion firm.
Mr and Mrs Z seen here en route to his audition at a male fashion firm.
0 2022/03/26 09:19:48
Brooding weather and towering mountains form a Wadi Rum scene. *TIME FOR MORE DESERT MUSIC!
Brooding weather and towering mountains form a Wadi Rum scene. *TIME FOR MORE DESERT MUSIC!
0 2022/03/22 20:14:36
Jebel Burdah canyon is massive. Our echoing shouts carried into the misty distance.
Jebel Burdah canyon is massive. Our echoing shouts carried into the misty distance.
0 2022/03/22 20:14:13
A pair of local citrus inspectors.
A pair of local citrus inspectors.
0 2022/03/22 20:14:02
Siham's sister Hallah, with whom we drew camels.
Siham's sister Hallah, with whom we drew camels.
0 2022/03/22 20:13:38
Awad's youngest, habibti Siham.
Awad's youngest, habibti Siham.
0 2022/03/22 20:13:26
Mrs Z relaxes with Nial, our host Obeid's 19 yr old son i.e. Awad's nephew. They are in the 'magad' sitting area, by the 'jurad' fireplace. Nial made us promise not to tell his uncle, or Allah Forbid his dad, about his smoking cigarettes. To this day, Jordanian youths will not smoke in front of their elders. Nial's fave place was the port of Aqaba, where every one his age favors jeans over trad clothing.
Mrs Z relaxes with Nial, our host Obeid's 19 yr old son i.e. Awad's nephew. They are in the 'magad' sitting area, by the 'jurad' fireplace. Nial made us promise not to tell his uncle, or Allah Forbid his dad, about his smoking cigarettes. To this day, Jordanian youths will not smoke in front of their elders. Nial's fave place was the port of Aqaba, where every one his age favors jeans over trad clothing.
0 2022/03/22 20:12:54
Each home has clearly-designated areas, which often put males and females and livestock in separate sections.
Each home has clearly-designated areas, which often put males and females and livestock in separate sections.
0 2022/03/22 20:12:37
Rich pigments during the golden hour.
Rich pigments during the golden hour.
0 2022/03/22 20:11:23
Tafoni.
Tafoni.
0 2022/03/22 20:10:48
Jebel Umm E'jil.
Jebel Umm E'jil.
0 2022/03/22 20:09:42
0 2022/03/22 20:08:51
A beautiful lamp made by the Swalhiyeen tribe.
A beautiful lamp made by the Swalhiyeen tribe.
0 2022/03/22 20:08:40
Close by Jebel Qabar Amra and Wadi al Bghidha.
Close by Jebel Qabar Amra and Wadi al Bghidha.
0 2022/03/22 20:08:09
Neat the red dunes of Al-Hasany Ramal and Jebel Faishiyya.
Neat the red dunes of Al-Hasany Ramal and Jebel Faishiyya.
0 2022/03/22 20:07:43
Muhamad of the Zalabia tribe, which is based in Rum village, a fairly recent creation.
Muhamad of the Zalabia tribe, which is based in Rum village, a fairly recent creation.
0 2022/03/22 20:06:48
Bark from the sidr-nabk tree was used to make the natural red dye used with the tassel on the right.
Bark from the sidr-nabk tree was used to make the natural red dye used with the tassel on the right.
0 2022/03/22 20:06:32
Khazareh Canyon, with its steep and narrow fissures, is one popular hiking area.
Khazareh Canyon, with its steep and narrow fissures, is one popular hiking area.
0 2022/03/22 20:06:21
Some blankets next to the 'amoud' support pole. The six poles throughout the tent each had different names. As evening ('masa') approached, propane heaters allayed our concerns about the desert winter cold. My wife brought out her precious stargazing charts.
Some blankets next to the 'amoud' support pole. The six poles throughout the tent each had different names. As evening ('masa') approached, propane heaters allayed our concerns about the desert winter cold. My wife brought out her precious stargazing charts.
0 2022/03/22 20:06:03
0 2022/03/22 20:05:52
En route to Jebel Makra.
En route to Jebel Makra.
0 2022/03/22 20:05:37
When we arrived there at the site near Wadi Um Ishrin in the Khor al Ajram range, there were a handful of other travelers just leaving. Note how the front guy ropes ('habel') are secured with sandbags. An old British dynamite box was being recycled to weigh down another rope.
When we arrived there at the site near Wadi Um Ishrin in the Khor al Ajram range, there were a handful of other travelers just leaving. Note how the front guy ropes ('habel') are secured with sandbags. An old British dynamite box was being recycled to weigh down another rope.
0 2022/03/22 20:04:55
Wild sage ('sheih') is not only made into a 'zaaki' delicious tea, but is also prized for making indigo blue dye. Breakfast ('fatour') by assistant Abdi, also included labanah yogurt with flat pita bread and date syrup. Dinner: 'maglouba'-style chicken. Abdi wore a stylish black Calvin Klein hat. *Nial also presented us with a bottle of fine red local 'St. George wine, similar in taste to that from nearby Bakka valley. He did so 'because otherwise guests will assume that we are not civilized.'
Wild sage ('sheih') is not only made into a 'zaaki' delicious tea, but is also prized for making indigo blue dye. Breakfast ('fatour') by assistant Abdi, also included labanah yogurt with flat pita bread and date syrup. Dinner: 'maglouba'-style chicken. Abdi wore a stylish black Calvin Klein hat. *Nial also presented us with a bottle of fine red local 'St. George wine, similar in taste to that from nearby Bakka valley. He did so 'because otherwise guests will assume that we are not civilized.'
0 2022/03/22 20:04:22
Awad wears the traditional long white gown-shirt called a 'thobe'. If worn above his ankles, that'd denote his devoted religiosity. Atop his thobe, he sports a black 'abaya'. His red-white head-cover is an 'amagh', essential for any desert dweller. Some call it instead a 'koufeyah'. The black coil cord surrounding it is known as an 'agal'.
Awad wears the traditional long white gown-shirt called a 'thobe'. If worn above his ankles, that'd denote his devoted religiosity. Atop his thobe, he sports a black 'abaya'. His red-white head-cover is an 'amagh', essential for any desert dweller. Some call it instead a 'koufeyah'. The black coil cord surrounding it is known as an 'agal'.
0 2022/03/22 20:03:50
This alien rocky outcrop served as the camp WC plus its generator and storage area. Campers should bring LARGE flashlights. The neck-pencil ones that Mrs Z and I brought were useless during um, wee-hour visits.
This alien rocky outcrop served as the camp WC plus its generator and storage area. Campers should bring LARGE flashlights. The neck-pencil ones that Mrs Z and I brought were useless during um, wee-hour visits.
0 2022/03/22 20:03:29
Sting could've had his 'Tea in the Sahara' just as well in Wadi Rum. Our first tea was in Barrah canyon, near Jebel Abu Judayda. These glasses are 'kaseh'. Tip: Maamoul Deemah brand whole wheat date cookies go especially well with tea.
Sting could've had his 'Tea in the Sahara' just as well in Wadi Rum. Our first tea was in Barrah canyon, near Jebel Abu Judayda. These glasses are 'kaseh'. Tip: Maamoul Deemah brand whole wheat date cookies go especially well with tea.
0 2022/03/22 20:02:29
Parallels.
Parallels.
0 2022/03/22 20:02:12
0 2022/03/22 20:01:59
Seen here are 'hashim' brushwood, 'samr' kindling and 'arfaj' firewood. All were essential to make fresh tea.
Seen here are 'hashim' brushwood, 'samr' kindling and 'arfaj' firewood. All were essential to make fresh tea.
0 2022/03/22 20:01:44
We were there around Xmas, so the foliage tended to be extra-dry. Tree types included 'tarta' and 'ghoda'. Acacias bleed a dark-red sap which is put to use. Another tree had pine-style, dill-scented needle leaves.
We were there around Xmas, so the foliage tended to be extra-dry. Tree types included 'tarta' and 'ghoda'. Acacias bleed a dark-red sap which is put to use. Another tree had pine-style, dill-scented needle leaves.
0 2022/03/22 20:01:10
One such example. My wife enjoyed painting some watercolor abstracts, with the irony that abstract shapes had been provided all around her!
One such example. My wife enjoyed painting some watercolor abstracts, with the irony that abstract shapes had been provided all around her!
0 2022/03/22 19:33:16
Obeid and Awad's brother invited us over to his own home tent a few kms away, in order to drink 'gahwa' (coffee with coriander) and listen to him play the rababah instrument. It had a quad-shaped soundbox made of goat skin.
Obeid and Awad's brother invited us over to his own home tent a few kms away, in order to drink 'gahwa' (coffee with coriander) and listen to him play the rababah instrument. It had a quad-shaped soundbox made of goat skin.
0 2022/03/22 19:32:02
0 2022/03/22 19:31:40
For our nights camping under the stars, we'd booked with ex-policeman Obeid Naser Al-Amareh. We'd done so because his Azzabi Bedouin Life camp had excellent reviews. Obeid was of the Zuweydeh tribe, which is based in Diseh village. Unfortunately he was in Amman with a sick relative, so he left his ruggedly handsome brother Awad (shown here) in charge of the tent. He was assisted by Obeid's 19 yr old son Nial. Awad explained that he was fond of 'vitamin C'=ciggies.
For our nights camping under the stars, we'd booked with ex-policeman Obeid Naser Al-Amareh. We'd done so because his Azzabi Bedouin Life camp had excellent reviews. Obeid was of the Zuweydeh tribe, which is based in Diseh village. Unfortunately he was in Amman with a sick relative, so he left his ruggedly handsome brother Awad (shown here) in charge of the tent. He was assisted by Obeid's 19 yr old son Nial. Awad explained that he was fond of 'vitamin C'=ciggies.
0 2022/03/22 19:31:02
Awad did something kind after hearing about our interest in touring schools. With little warning and less explanation, he raced us over to the nearby all-male King Talal Miltary school (est. 1960). It was located next to the original, pre-war Badia Desert Patrol HQ in Tuwaiseh, a hamlet close to Diseh Village. I was severely underdressed, having assumed that we were bound for another desert drive!
Awad did something kind after hearing about our interest in touring schools. With little warning and less explanation, he raced us over to the nearby all-male King Talal Miltary school (est. 1960). It was located next to the original, pre-war Badia Desert Patrol HQ in Tuwaiseh, a hamlet close to Diseh Village. I was severely underdressed, having assumed that we were bound for another desert drive!
0 2022/03/22 19:30:33
At first we were intimidated by the serious demeanor of Headmaster-Principal Major Maher Qabasi (not shown), but we eventually warmed to each other. Two things resulted. First, he arranged for his teacher wife's class in Aqaba to join the International Pen Pal club that I ran in all of my Toronto schools. He then sought our assistance in his new pet project as a tech inventor. His latest gadget was an ingenious wristwatch device designed to alert hearing-and-visually-impaired folks about fire.
At first we were intimidated by the serious demeanor of Headmaster-Principal Major Maher Qabasi (not shown), but we eventually warmed to each other. Two things resulted. First, he arranged for his teacher wife's class in Aqaba to join the International Pen Pal club that I ran in all of my Toronto schools. He then sought our assistance in his new pet project as a tech inventor. His latest gadget was an ingenious wristwatch device designed to alert hearing-and-visually-impaired folks about fire.
0 2022/03/22 19:30:10
The commencement of Recess was signaled by some of the loudest and most jarring Arab pop ever recorded, blaring through the school's PA horns. These students would eventually grow to join the army with its 100,000 members or the 34,000 reservists.
The commencement of Recess was signaled by some of the loudest and most jarring Arab pop ever recorded, blaring through the school's PA horns. These students would eventually grow to join the army with its 100,000 members or the 34,000 reservists.
0 2022/03/22 19:29:48
After learning that the students had to tend to the neighbouring tomato field, I told the boys that I'd been born on a tomato farm. Mrs Z noticed that some of the youngest kids had been rewarded for correct answers by having gold stars affixed to their foreheads! We were gifted 2 books: one by Queen Noor and also a history of Jerusalem. In return, I bookmarked 7 of the most fun educational game websites from my own class, in their Computer Lab.
After learning that the students had to tend to the neighbouring tomato field, I told the boys that I'd been born on a tomato farm. Mrs Z noticed that some of the youngest kids had been rewarded for correct answers by having gold stars affixed to their foreheads! We were gifted 2 books: one by Queen Noor and also a history of Jerusalem. In return, I bookmarked 7 of the most fun educational game websites from my own class, in their Computer Lab.
0 2022/03/22 19:29:33
On our first day in Wadi Rum, we helped to tow out an elderly couple whose vehicle had got stuck in the sand back during 'saabah' or sunrise. They'd been there for hours. They were a thankful but superstitious pair, from an age when hot-iron branding and drinking wildcat blood were norms. As recently as '98, Wadi Rum saw an honor killing-stabbing.
On our first day in Wadi Rum, we helped to tow out an elderly couple whose vehicle had got stuck in the sand back during 'saabah' or sunrise. They'd been there for hours. They were a thankful but superstitious pair, from an age when hot-iron branding and drinking wildcat blood were norms. As recently as '98, Wadi Rum saw an honor killing-stabbing.
0 2022/03/22 19:29:07
From inside the same spot. others include Um Fruth.
From inside the same spot. others include Um Fruth.
0 2022/03/22 19:28:35
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