Went to Jordan!
Met early in the morning at Laurie's. Got our bus to the border. We had to drive through the West Bank. ON the way we saw sheep, goats, camels, lots of Bedouin villages. Had a big sign when we went below sea level. Saw Jericho on one side and Dead Sea on the other. Passed the Allenby Bridge. All of the sudden in the West Bank we pull over to some shady car repair place. Tire problem, had to change a tire, with all of us on the bus! All ok, got a little lost in a beautiful neighborhood near Beit She'an. Arrived at the border and took a special bus across the border to Jordan. Found our guide and tour bus. Toilets nearby are literally "squat pots."

First visit, Ajiloun Castle, first built in 1184 by the nephew of Saladin. Then we went to Jerash which is one of the best preserved Roman towns outside Italy. Saw the South Gate, Oval Plaza with ionic colonnades(1st C) , the Roman theatre with a band of retired soldiers, and some Byzantine Churches including Zeus' Temple, the Jupiter Temple and the Sanctuary Artemis. What is really cool is that the colonnades are never still and constantly shaking because of they way they are built. Our guide put a spoon in a crack in one and we watched the spoon quiver.

So we got to practically fast for a 2nd day because it is Ramadan in Jordan and few places were open and our guide wanted us to see the sites because they closed early for the holiday. Very hungry for dinner, not so much for the vegetarians. Crashed after a very long day!