Fitness & Health, Travel

FormerlyMe.com presents “On the Go: Jordan”

February 4, 2024
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FormerlyMe is an online movement to motivate and inspire people to become the best version of themselves by showing them my journey and experience in trying a new workout and lifestyle regime every 90 days. Every post, update, and video is ‘formerly me’ as I endeavor to become the best version of myself and become FormerlyMe. Each month CP Magazine will showcase a part of my journey to becoming the best version of myself. I hope that in turn this inspires and motivates you to start your own journey as well. For this month’s story we will focus on the “On The Go: Jordan” days of my journey.

One of my favorite travel “hacks” is to visit notoriously hot regions during the fall or winter to not only avoid the sometimes unbearable heat, but also for the opportunity for a more personalized experience with the natural beauty of a destination. This time, as I explored Jordan, was no exception. Before entering the country, it’s important to note that purchasing the Jordan Pass, which is available online, offered a great convenience on my trip by saving time and money.

Situated on the east bank of the Jordan River, Jordan has many natural and man-made wonders to explore. During this particular trip, I first stayed in the ancient city of Madaba, known most famously for its long history of mosaics dating back to the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic eras. I toured the ancient ruins within the Madaba Archaeological Park, which aims to preserve the mosaic-rich Church of the Virgin Mary and its artifacts. One can’t help but notice the struggle the region has experienced over the centuries with the intermixing of religions, societies, and beliefs around iconoclasm and the literal marks they have left on the legacy of the mosaics, including the 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land in the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George.

Well stocked on water, snacks, and my fill of pomegranate juice, I drove northwest of Madaba to visit the top of the biblical hill of Mount Nebo, which overlooks the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, and was worth the small price of admission for the view. While not my first time to Jordan, I wanted to swim in the Dead Sea this time. To get to the water itself, I had to find a location where the cliffside wasn’t as steep to climb down. It’s not the easiest of hikes, so proper shoes and lots of water are highly recommended to rinse off after swimming in the sea and to stay hydrated. After experiencing the almost solid salt landscape, I can see why so many people stay at the resorts along its banks.

At night I opted to spend the night in Wadi Rum, which is cut into the sandstone and granite rock and is a favorite among filmmakers for being the backdrop to movies such as The Martin, Rogue One, Lawrence of Arabia, and more. For the night I rented a small geodesic dome for a “glamping” experience to take in the stunning landscape. While night the skies weren’t clear enough for stargazing as I had hoped, the moon against the mountains and expanse of desert did not disappoint. Unfortunately, tourism in the area has dipped drastically lately due to regional conflicts, so my camp and many of the neighboring camps were quite empty. The next morning I explored the Wadi Rum Protected Area (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to visit several prehistoric petroglyphs and the famous formation known as the Seven Pillars of Wisdom. For this part, you will need a local guide with a sturdy 4×4 truck to safely navigate this area, as our 4×4 SUV could barely handle the sand dunes when the terrain became very soft.

That evening I headed to Petra to explore the local city and rest up for the climb to Al-Deir, aka The Monastery, the next morning. The early morning is the ideal time to begin your hike through the archaeological site of Petra. Once the Nabatean capital, around 300 B.C., the park is surrounded by pink sandstone cliffs and well-earns its nickname, the “Rose City.” Of note are the approximately 850 steps you have to traverse, in addition to the walking, while dodging other visitors, local guides and vendors, and the ever-odorous donkeys. Make sure to avoid the horses or carts, as they are unable to traverse the actual stairs, and the price doesn’t usually justify the small distance they cover. When at the top, make sure to have some cash and small bills on hand if you’d like to purchase food or drink, and to pay to use the restroom facilities. You can also climb a bit further to explore the other lookouts and photo ops available nearby.

All in all, Jordan is a country I wish everyone would have the opportunity to see, as it’s just as rich in history as it is in natural beauty, and a place we can continue to learn from and about.

Follow my journey online at FormerlyMe.com and on the YouTube channel. Next month I will cover more of the unique experiences I had in 2022-2023. Until next time this has been FormerlyMe!