Our Desert Journey Continues

This is one of the best road trips we have ever done!  I wish the pictures could do it justice.  I think all of our traveling friends need to experience this country and I especially hope to bring my mom here one day.  She would love it!  

It is the oldest place we have ever experienced and the entire time we felt like we were on a movie set. The boys were so excited about this place.  We watched Indiana Jones The Last Crusades days before we got to Petra.  Watching that movie motivated our boys.  They walked a total of 7 miles that day and climbed 1000 steps to the top!  Bryan and I were so impressed by their enthusiasm and interest in such a historical place.  (You can learn more about Petra here. )

In the Siq.

On our last turn of the Siq we spotted the Treasury.  Goosebumps! 

Exploring the Siq.

Doing our 1000 steps.

We took one 30 second break while climbing the 1000 steps. 

This is what we found at the top of the 1000 steps.  Amazing!  It was built as a tomb.

Taking a rest. 

Resting and watching the goats.

Finally they got to ride donkeys.  However, we were tricked and this was a two minute ride!

The famous Treasury. 

The people fascinate me.  Isn't she beautiful?  She was selling water around step 500.  Everyday she sits there and sells water. 

This lady is 17 years old and has been working on the top of the mountain since she was 3.  She likes to talk to tourist and offer tea.  She also makes dolls and sells pieces of jewelry.  A few of my doll collecting family members will be getting one for Christmas.

This little boy was selling rocks.

This little girl also sells rocks. The boys bought a few rocks from each child.  We also had a long discussion about how children's lives are different all around the world.  These kids do not get to go to school, travel, out to dinner or stay at hotels which really makes our boys think about life.  I love how their little minds seem to grasp how lucky they are to have this wonderful life. 

Caron and I had tea.  Caron drank out of an old, dirty can and I had a sticky shot glass.  I prayed that the water was boiled long enough.

Finally, we rode horses instead of hiking the last 20 minutes of gravel road.

I didn't even know that was in the background.  I was so focused on Carter, whom we left behind.

On to the Dead Sea!  The Dead Sea is about 3 hours from Petra.  The GPS we followed took used a circuitous route.  We followed main roads, gravel roads, mountain roads, narrow roads, roads with carcasses, and roads that seemed to lead us to the end of the world.  However, we never gave up and were never completely lost.  We found the dead and relaxed our tired muscles in the 2nd saltiest place on earth.  The dead sea is 31% salt and nothing can survive!  It actually feels oily to the touch.  Floating in the dead sea was another amazing experience we had in the past week. 

I brought out People magazine!  I paid $10 for this magazine in Saudi and  it is littered with stickers to cover up women who are showing too much skin.  Makes me laugh!

Carter only made it this far.  He had too many cuts from our Petra trip, which stung in the salt.  In fact, many places would sting!  Places you wouldn't even think about began to sting!  We didn't last too long.

All you do is sit back and float.  It is difficult to even put down your feet to walk out.

Bryan floating!

The group relaxing!

Dead Sea Mud!

Rubbing the dead sea mud on your skin is supposed to have a lot of health benefits.

We splurged and stayed at the top resort.  Can you see the Dead Sea and Israel/Palestine?

The infinity pool.  This was a freshwater pool but had a sand bottom at one end.  Loved it!

That is the end to another amazing trip by the Johnsons and with a group of amazing friends.  We feel so lucky to have all of these experiences and live the life that many people dream.  If any of you ever get the chance to work overseas, then seize the moment and make this dream come true.  It is a life changing experience!  Also, remember that we are always up for an adventure and would love to meet our American family/friends anywhere in the world!  Well, almost anywhere.