On to Aqaba
Trip Start
Jun 16, 2008
1
12
28
Trip End
Aug 06, 2008
Aqaba,
Jordan
Sunday, June 29, 2008
During the Bible Study, David Baker covered the topic of "places of safety" through the history of God's people, and went through some of the scriptures that have led some to think Petra might play that role in the future. After that I spoke for the rest of the time we had about the importance of service in the Christian life. The Youth Corps volunteers had just spent a week serving others under sometimes difficult circumstances and had learned about both the challenges and the rewards of serving, so I felt that was à propos, and useful to consider. Providing service opportunities is one of the main goals of the Youth Corps, so it is important to keep the topic in mind.
We finished about 11:50 and rushed to check out and load the bus. We drove down the King's Highway passed Al Rajef one last time, and on to Aqaba about 110 km (70 miles) south. It took over two hours to make the drive, but the views were very interesting: Bedouin encampments, camels, flocks of goats and sheep all in a very arid environment.
Pulling into Aqaba around 2:30 we quickly found the Captain's Hotel a couple of blocks from the waterfront and brought our luggage in. The rooms weren't quite ready, so we left the bags in the lobby and went for lunch. Taking a poll, we found that the group wanted some familiar food from home. Opinions were divided between McDonalds and Pizza Hut (yes, they have those in Aqaba, and Burger King, Popeye's and others I could mention). Pizza Hut finally won out, so we walked the couple of blocks in intense heat and had pizza that was nearly like home (the crust was close but not quite the same). Then we walked back and settled into the hotel rooms. Some volunteers went to sit by the pool or enjoy a dip in the water as they rested for a few hours, for the first time in nearly two weeks.
We had dinner all together at 7:30. The menu included Mezza, and then either snapper from the Red Sea or chicken. Most of us chose the snapper and it was very good.
We said official group goodbyes to the Bates who will be crossing the border to Israel tomorrow. They did a great deal of work in preparing for the camp in Al Rajef and in helping make arrangements for hotels and transportation in Jordan and their help has been very much appreciated.
Tomorrow we plan to make a visit to Wadi Rum, about an hour's drive from Aqaba, where T.E Lawrence ("of Arabia") helped lead the Bedouin rebellion against the Ottoman Turks during WWI. If all goes as planned, we will visit this beautiful desert region in 4WD and then spend the night in Bedouin tents before coming back to Aqaba for some snorkeling in the Red Sea.
