EUROQUEST SideTracks

See the full gallery on Posterous Most visitors to Jordan are told that the single-most tourist destination for them should be Petra. In deed, no visit to Jordan would ever be complete without admiring the ancient site that is Petra, a city carved entirely into the rocks by the Nabataeans, but it ranks among the most exploited sites of Jordan. Locals, by contrast, tend to flock elsewhere, and the vast desert of Wadi Rum may rank among their favorite getaways. Even Queen Rania of Jordan celebrated her 40th birthday in September 2011 out here in the Wadi Rum, a birthday bash much criticized as overly excessive by most Jordanians (see http://www.maryannsieghart.com/uncategorized/queen-rania-of-jordan-the-new-ma... for further details). For average visitors both foreign and local, a Wadi Rum getaway usually starts at the Visitor Center, and it was here that our adventures with the local Bedouins began. See the full gallery on Posterous As soon as visitors descend from th

See the full gallery on Posterous Visitors to Jordan are usually told that this is among the most tourist-friendly and fascinating destinations in the Middle East but not necessarily a good choice for those on a budget. Amman has been ranked among the priciest capital cities in the region, and a week or two at leisure and comfort in Jordan can easily ruin your bank account. Many budget guide books therefore recommend covering the highlights of Jordan like Petra and the Dead Sea in as little time as possible and then to swiftly move on to more affordable destinations. For a local perspective on life in Jordan, however, it may be worthwhile to linger on a bit longer in the fascinating capital Amman despite its high prices and to seek local budget alternatives in order to keep expenses low and cultural learning high during an enriching sojourn here.  See the full gallery on Posterous A bustling metropolis of 2 million people, Amman is a city caught between tradition and

See the full gallery on Posterous Visitors to Jordan are usually told that this is among the most tourist-friendly and fascinating destinations in the Middle East but not necessarily a good choice for those on a budget. Amman has been ranked among the priciest capital cities in the region, and a week or two at leisure and comfort in Jordan can easily ruin your bank account. Many budget guide books therefore recommend covering the highlights of Jordan like Petra and the Dead Sea in as little time as possible and then to swiftly move on to more affordable destinations. For a local perspective on life in Jordan, however, it may be worthwhile to linger on a bit longer in the fascinating capital Amman despite its high prices and to seek local budget alternatives in order to keep expenses low and cultural learning high during an enriching sojourn here.  See the full gallery on Posterous A bustling metropolis of 2 million people, Amman is a city caught between tradition and