Jordan

Well I wish I could add some photos of my adventures in Jordan so far, but the computers I have access to are not the greatest.  I guess my words will have to do, sorry.  Do not worry though, I will have photos us when I can so keep checking back.
Well after about a 28 hour journey I made it to my hostel in Amman (Abbasi Palace Hotel).  It is a lovely place located in the heart of old town (downtown) Amman where the streets are lively.  Imagine magnificent mile, but only In Arabic.  The owner is an amazing lady who stayed up me and figured everything out with me.  I made it to bed at around 2am local time. 
The next day I awoke to some tea and some bread and headed my way towards Petra.  I left around 5 am and arrived around 8:30.   Yeah I would have to say Petra was amazing, walking through it you would have to wonder how this stuff is still standing after so many years.  After wandering through the valley you get this sense of feeling of how the people lived back in the day, and how amazing it was that whey could build something so beautiful.  After about 15 minutes I could start to see the corner of the Treasury Building (from Indiana Jones Last Crusade).  Words can not describe it, all I know is you need to see it, as the sun is beating down on it and expressing the red colors in the stone.

As I was hanging around the ruins, waiting for the sun to shine on the buildings, I met a fellow American. (funny cause of all the travel I have done, I would have to say Jordan is the place where I have ran into the most Americans)  So we BS'd for a while and let me know the things to see.  Great guy and I am actually traveling with him now.  After we parted ways I headed towards the High Monastery.  This was one hell of a hike, 800 stairs straight up.  Now I know why I travel know, because I saw a lot of older people turning back half way up, and I tell you they missed an amazing site.  On the way down a persuaded some older folks to keep going, and after seeing the photos I took they chugged there way to the top.  On top I met another solo traveller we chit chatted and we decided to walk down together.  After all this walking I had to do one more little trek that most people do not do, and that what to the top of a ridge to look down and the Treasury building.  This one was a pretty steep climb and I was getting tired and my new friend following was doing a hell of a job keeping up.  One hour later and we came to the edge and we could look down at this magnificent piece of craftsmanship.  Hung out for about 12 minutes taking as many photos as we could.  On the way down she said something to me that made me feel good  In broken english she said " how you say, you are a young spirit, is that right"  I knew what she meant right away and it made me appreciate all the things I have been able to experience in my "young life"
After the long walk back through Petra we had another 30 minute walk to downtown (which was actually all uphill).  Met back up for dinner with my new friend from America and Japan, and decided to go to Wadi Rum in the Desert (they filmed Lawerece of Arabia there)  This was a blast, it was 2 Americans and 8 Japanese and we cruised through the desert in a jeep and soaked in all the sites.  Of all things to do in the desert in the afternoon sun, we decided to have a Sumo match.  This was a blast but I got my ass kicked (I have video to prove it).  Then we watched an amazing sunset in the open desert, surrounded by amazing mountains in the distance.   Dinner was cooked in the ground and it was amazing.  Following Dinner everyone was up and dancing and playing music, I just say back and enjoyed the show.  Afterwards I headed out to see the stars.  The clarity was amazing (reminded me of the outback in Australia)   Then on to bed, what a lovely first 48 hours in Jordan.
Well I am in Amman and we (American friend) are headed to Israel tomorrow.  I hope the boarder crossing goes well.   I will try and update this when I get to Dubai.  Laters...

Packed and leaving.

Back from a week in Colorado, Skiing was a blast and had an amazing time with all my friends out there.  Now time to prepare for the big trip.

Well all packed up and heading to the airport in a little bit.  My first stop is Jordan with my main goal to hit up Petra and maybe a side trip into Israel.   I will try and upload photos when I can, but I have no idea what time and computer access I will have.  Well the long day is about to start.   I have a little over 24 hours of travel time ahead of me.  Let the journey begin... 

Travel Plans...

My flights are booked and ready to go.  I will be visiting the following countries.  Jordan (maybe Israel also), Dubai, India, Nepal (Tibet time permitting), and Hong Kong.  I leave Soon, but first I have to go out to Colorado and visit some friends and get some skiing in.

I will try and update this blog when I have chances (In Nepal, I might not see a computer for weeks which will be comforting) Not sure about uploading photos, but I will try my best.   I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season.  If anyone has any question on travels let me know I am glad to help anyone out.


I am new to this blog stuff so I hope you enjoy...


Laters
jono

My blog for travels...

My earliest memory of travel was 9 months prior to August 22,1978. I was a single celled organism on my way to the destination of my dreams. As I came upon that glorious egg, I thought to myself, "gosh I can't wait until I have arms so I can do a one armed hand stand."

My name is Jonathan Andrew Tjader. In the winter of 2002 I started taking extended trips to different parts of the world. The first trip was with my best friend. We went on a trip to Australia and New Zealand for 3 months. It was a steppingstone to many other adventures I've had throughout the years. Here's a map of where I've been as of Jan 1, 2011

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I'm starting this blog to share the unique experiences I've had. I've posted many photos but I've never taken the opportunity to tell the stories that go along with them. So here we go.