Magnificant Petra

Petra deserves its title as one of the seven wonders in the world. The spectacular rose-stone city of Petra was built in the 3rd century BC by the Nabataeans, who carved palaces, temples, tombs, storerooms and stables from the sandstone cliffs. From here they commanded the trade routes from Damascus to Arabia.They chose the hidden valley as their city concealed from the outside world and transformed it into one of the Middle East's most memorable sites.
On the way to Petra, I met Frank on the bus. He later became my wonderful travel companion along the way to Egypt. It was a typical hot summer day in Middle East. We checked in Valentine Inn -the most popular backpacker hostel with a lookout view of Petra in the distance, glorious sunset at dusk and a great veggie dinner buffet.
We started in early morning of the second day and spent the full day exploring Petra sites including the incredibly narrow 1.2 km-long defile known as the Siq (it was being used to conceal from the outside world); street of Facades, 7000-seat theater,colonnaded street which was once lined with shops, high place of Sacrifice that affords stunning view of the entire city and finally we reached the grandeur and glorious Al-Deir (the Monastery) after climbing up a long rock-cut staircase. It was late afternoon. The masterpiece was towering with the ray of late afternoon sun reflecting on its yellow-red stones into vibrant multi-layers of colors. Then I saw a Bedouin sitting on one of the two cliff tops as if he's sitting on a couch in his house. It's indeed his home. (some Bedouin still live in the caves in Petra and makes living by selling to tourists).
On the third day, Rachel, William and I took a morning tour around "little Petra". Another site outside of Petra with the same theme yet smaller scale. Rachel and William are two of incredible travelers I met throughout my trip. (I've met so many amazing human beings on my trip that I simply can't list everyone.) William and I went back to "Petra" that afternoon and enjoyed the last moment of the magnificence Petra offers in a relaxing pace. I watched sun setting down the stone city sitting on one of the cliff tops of Royal Tombs next to a Johnny Depp looking Bedouin young man in his beautifully blown flute. I finally felt I became a part of the ancient city.