The day I went to Petra is a day I will never forget. I have often found that it is not the days that go according to plan that make the best memories; rather, it is the unexpected things – the surprises – that bring spice to life and, in the end, supply us with the memories that we wouldn’t change for the world.
We woke up in the morning in our hotel in Wadi Musa (“Valley of Moses”) excited for another day – particularly so because we were going to the quintessential site of Jordan: the famous Nabatean rose-red city of Petra! (for those of you who don’t know what I’m taking about, think: “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”).
At breakfast however our hopes came crashing down around us when we were informed that because of the rainfall the previous night, the site of Petra was actually closed!!! But within a couple of hours word came that things were beginning to dry out and that the gates very likely would be opened.
We gathered together our raingear – which for many of us consisted of big black garbage bags with head and armholes – and we headed down the street from our hotel to Petra where we stood… waiting… waiting… and laughing at the fact that everything there was named after Indiana Jones.
And then the moment arrived! The gates were open. The site was clear! So much excitement! Finally the site we’ve all been waiting for is open – watch out Petra, here we come!
As we entered the site, we walked down the main path, which is wide and open with low rocky hills on either side. Very beautiful and extremely interesting, but of course I – along with most of the others – simply can’t wait to get down to the treasury (the exquisitely carved mountain-face and the iconic image of the city of Petra).
We then headed into the Siq – the narrow, winding gorge that leads to the treasury. The Siq was absolutely stunning. The sandstone red rock walls were unique at every turn and reached far, far up towards the sky on either side as you walk. …and then it began again: the rain. Only a few drops at first (we donned our rain gear and garbage bags) but soon it really started to rain in earnest.
But we were all determined to get just a little bit further! Earlier in the day our hopes had shrunk (with our realization of the diminished time we now had because of delays) from seeing the entire site, to seeing only part of the city; but now, as the rain began to pour down upon us, we began to fear that we might see nothing at all! A river was starting to flow past our feet down the Siq and I began to wonder if we would even have time to get down to the treasury and back before they closed the site again! 
And then the word came: they had closed the front gate and we were asked to retrace our steps back up the gorge. The walk back was extremely disheartening – not only were we extremely disappointed about not seeing Petra or even just the treasury, but we were also soaking wet.
While frustrated, I understood the reasons for closing the site. When it rains at Petra the water from the surrounding area all rushes down into the Siq and within minutes of the rain starting, the gorge becomes a river! …If this gets bad it can be potentially very dangerous and so trucks were heading down the path to bring people back from further down.
Thankfully we didn’t have to head all the way back to the visitor center. Just before the beginning of the Siq there was a gift shop and so we ended up there, standing together in a huddle, contemplating how long we should wait before there simply was no more time and it was no longer worth waiting.
Some of the staff working there said that – even if it stopped raining right away – it would take 2 or 3 hours before the way was dry enough to let groups head in. And so we huddled in the gift shop and under umbrellas – as much as possible avoiding the pouring rain and praying for a miracle. It sucked! How could we possibly go to Jordan and not see Petra!?!
And then our saviour came… in the guise of our guide, Rami. As it turns out, he is very well known and respected in the tourism industry of Jordan. The staff working at Petra knew him and so together they figured out a plan…
I was standing across from everyone, glaring at the rain disapprovingly from beneath my umbrella when a truck pulled up and I heard Rami tell us to get in! And so I did. We were going down to the treasury by truck! I, and a few of the others, hopped into the back of the first truck – umbrellas were down, hoods were off, this was the time for action not comfort! And so we headed back down towards the treasury and down the Siq – just over 1 km in length – riding in the back of a truck!
It was one of the best experiences of my life! The truck swerved and jolted and we hung on for dear life as rain cascaded and wheels were spinning. We yelled, we laughed and we sang the Indiana Jones theme song at the top of our lungs as we careened down the rushing river that was o
nce the path. And if possible, we got even more drenched! …but we didn’t care. We were going to see the treasury and, coming from the hopelessness of moments before, it felt like we had been handed the moon!
We rounded the corner of the gorge – and there it was: the treasury of Petra! It was amazing to see and for about ten minutes all I can remember is the juggling of umbrellas and cameras, the dodging of moving trucks, the singing of yet more Indiana Jones and – of course – numerous selfies. But all too soon our time was up and we were heading back up the gorge.
When we got to the top – the rain had stopped and within minutes the sun was out and all you could see above you was blue-blue sky. The site would still not opened for hours to come and the vast majority of tourists that day would be leaving the site disappointed. But we got to see Petra – at least part of it – and in a way that no one ever does!
It was one of those days that you know you will never forget – after all, it is often the unexpected things, the things that don’t go according to plan, that make the best memories.
Kathryn Bennallack is a full time student at Ambrose, heading into her 5th and final year of the Christian Studies program with a focus on Spirituality and a double minor in English Literature and Business Administration. Kathryn has enjoyed her studies at Ambrose over the last few years and has been inspired by her professors to dig deeper into her faith and to continually seek out learning opportunities. Kathryn loves reading, photography, spending time with her family and friends and exploring new places wherever and whenever she can! Having grown up on the west coast of Canada in Victoria BC, Kathryn has a deep love for the ocean and legitimately does enjoy long walks on the beach! Kathryn is passionate about travel and one of her life goals is to travel to every country in the world. Another goal? to grow in relationship with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ at every opportunity.
