Amman and Petra

Last weekend, Uncle Sean was visiting the Amman Gormans so the Jerusalem Gormans tried their first border crossing.  Although there was some concern before going about visas, etc, we got across without any difficulty and Uncle Bart was waiting there to show us back to Amman.  The drive to the border crossing is about 40 minutes and to cross the border after stopping here and there and getting this stamped and that stamped, took about 40 minutes on the Israeli side and then 20 minutes on the Jordanian side.  The drive to Amman was about 45 minutes.  In all, it took probably 3 hours to get to Bart and Donna's house but if we were able to do it without stopping so much it probably would take about 1 1/2 hours.  We stayed with Bart and Donna and the rest of the Amman clan and so did Uncle Sean.  They have a huge house!  Amazingly, with 5 adults and 6 kids, we didn't kill each other.  Sure - there were a few war wounds in the end but all children survived and more importantly, so did I.  We spent Friday and Sunday afternoon at the embassy pool.  There is a nice playground there and a great snack bar where the kids can find anything they want to eat.  Julia had a blast in the pool with her dad and uncles.

On Saturday, we all got up and got in the car to drive to Petra.  It's about a 2 1/2 -3 hour car ride from Amman.  Once there, you walk a little ways until you get to the canyons where red rock cliffs rise above you.  It was warm outside but cool for a lot of the walk while we were in the shadows of the cliffs.  Here are a few pictures but none of them can do it justice.  There are a lot more pictures at www.dropshots.com/julialivgorman  When you come to visit us, please consider allowing extra time for a side trip to Petra.  If you come as far as Jerusalem, it would be a shame to miss this amazing place.

I hope these pictures entice you to come visit!  Email me anytime - reservations are open at Hotel Gorman in Jerusalem.