it's been another weird summer. we started out in May with an anniversary trip, and I thought, ok, let's not get on another airplane for at least a year. six flights and countless sodium-enriched meals later, it's good to be home. my favorite sightseeing stop so far was Jerash, Jordan. although it was just a 45-minute trip from Amman, the dicey driving and our volunteer 'guide' (who had questionable ethics) made it feel more like an adventure. Jerash is an old Roman city that basically crumbled sometime in the 700s after a major earthquake and a Persian invasion. it's quite hard to believe so much of it is still intact -- Corinthian columns, Hadrian's arch, a colonnade, a coliseum, a hippodrome, a city-wide sewer system, fountains, churches, etc.! here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip. highly recommend for a stop in Jordan. needless to say, after a hot day in the sun, i got a legitimate lemon & mint to stay hydrated. it is my personal mission to bring this tasty middle eastern beverage to the States!
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| the main gate to Jerash |
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| part of the Roman road and some excavated cobblestones |
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| old-school bleachers in the hippodrome, to watch the chariot races |
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| a teeny window |
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| more of the 'cardo maximus' or long road through town. bumpy ride. |
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| the meat-cutting area in the market. i took this picture, because you can see where the butcher sharpened his knives. |
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| a view toward the coliseum |
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| not sure what this is, but i liked the shot! |
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| a fountain/bath area. marble statues used to stand in the recessed areas. |
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| modern-day Jerash juxtaposed against the ruins |
