Petra. One of the New Seven Wonders of the World. We rode for almost 4 hours in a packed van from Amman south to Petra where we explored the wondrous site.

Famously called "the rose-red city half as old as time," Petra was the capital of an ancient Arabic kingdom called Nabataea, which flourished from the 4th century B.C. to the 2nd century A.D. due to the success of the spice trade. Petra passed into memory until its ruins were discovered by a Swiss explorer in 1812. The magnificent city is carved into a rose-colored mountain, accessible only by a two mile chasm that leads into it. Entering into the confines of this natural configuration, one finds an astonishing sight: 35 miles of temples, tombs, streets, and canal systems. Beautiful frescoes and pottery remain as silent witnesses to the mysterious past of a sophisticated, technologically advanced civilization.

With limited time to explore, Steph and I hiked at a quick pace the entire day as there was much to see. We entered the Siq, a mile-long narrow gorge that leads into the city of Petra. The Siq was formed by tectonic forces which caused the the rock to split dramatically in half. It was only then that the waters of the Wadi Musa flowed in and the winds blew through the newly-formed gap, gradually rounding the sharp edges into smooth curves. Today, the Siq is a meandering path between beautifully-colored sandstone cliffs about 450 feet high on each side. I was in absolute awe of the color of the rock: beautiful shades of pinks and reds. Occasionally the path widened enough to allow in sunlight and even a tree; other times it became so narrow (as little as 6 feet apart) that the stone seemed to block out virtually all heat, light, and sound. Along the way running alongside the length of the Siq were water channels carved by the Nabateans to provide water to the city of Petra. Planned by the Nabateans to impress their visitors, at the end of the Siq is a dramatic moment when the gorge opens to face the extraordinary sight of the Treasury.

Carved out of solid rock on the face of a mountain and standing over 120 feet tall, the Treasury is one Petra's most magnificent sites. The tomb/temple got its popular name from the Bedouin belief that pirates hid ancient pharoanic treasures in the giant stone urn which stands in the center of the second level. In an attempt to release the treasure, Bedouins periodically fired guns at it — the bullet holes which are still clearly visible on the urn.

We continued on past the main street and started the long hike up countless carved steps. Awaiting us was another one of the magnificent sights of Petra: the Monastery. The hike was worth it. Like the Treasury, the name "Monastery" is a rather inaccurate nickname, which is probably based on its remote location and some inscribed crosses in the interior. Although it may have been later used as a church, it was probably a temple. The Monastery is similar to design to the Treasury, but it is much larger and much less decorated. The facade is flat on the lower level and deeply carved on the upper level, with engaged columns and two half-pediments flanking a central urn.

We soon had to turn around and hike all the way back to where we started. We arrived just in time to catch the van that would be taking us back to Amman that evening. It was a very tiring day, and we were quite exhausted, but what an experience! Something I will never, ever forget!