Petra, the Greek word for rock, was built around 300 BCE by the Nabataeans, a civilization centered around trade. The Nabataeans' former city was attacked, so they moved to and built Petra because it was safe and easily guarded. Petra eventually became the capital city of the Nabataeans until it was peacefully taken by the Romans in 106 CE. In 1812 it was "discovered" and then revealed to the public four years later. Finally, in October 2012, 36 students traveled to Petra and kicked-off one of the most unique years of their lives- a gap year with Kivunim.
Crossing the border into Jordan was interesting to say the least. We left from Sde Boker and drove to Eilat where we crossed the border. After we went through the first round of passport checks we began walking towards the border while simultaneously trying to snap a picture of the "Welcome to Jordan" sign. After getting the best picture I could I looked around and noticed something interesting, yet not surprising. The differences between the two sides of the border were extremely apparent. One side was a rocky desert with dirty streets, and the other was a vibrant, developed city.
We got on the bus and prepared for the two hour ride that was as boring as the limbo I experienced during the month of September when I eagerly awaited my departure for Israel. When we arrived at Petra I expected to see "The Treasury" (I'll explain soon), but instead it was just a typical tourist attraction with over-priced souvenirs and fanny-pack toting foreigners. I was a little disappointed because I was looking forward to experiencing a different culture first-hand. That is until a couple of guys went into a store and saw a few Jordanian men eating with their hands what looked like a big platter of oatmeal with watery tomato sauce splattered on top. The Jordanian men happily offered for us to try some and we quickly dug in with our hands. At the time I couldn't pinpoint what exactly it tasted like, and I still can't today, but what I did know was that I had finally gotten my first taste of what I would be doing for the rest of the year (pun intended). After everyone who wanted to got a little taste, we all made our way towards the main attraction.
As we began our walk our tour guide, Mohammed, explained that the Nabateans respected the dead and some spent their entire lives carving tombs in the rock for their families and/or themselves. The beginning of the walk was relatively boring because we just saw eroded ancient tombs from far away. After about ten or fifteen minutes we came to an opening where Mohammed explained that the Nabataeans were experts in hydrology and irrigation. He also explained that we were about to walk through the Siq, the mile-long channel that the Nabataeans used to reroute rainwater to Petra.
As we started walking through the Siq, Mina and I were able to talk to Mohammed for a moment. I forgot what we asked him, but the answer is much more important than the question. He said, "People come to my country to learn so why shouldn't I share everything I know." Mohammed also told us, as he was saying bye before we crossed back over into Israel, that we all come from Adam and Eve. The things that he told us shows that he sees people as people, and not as a color, religion, or gender. He was a great person to have around Kivunim students because he too strongly believes in coexistence- one idea Kivunim centers its program around. But I digress.
As we approached the end of the Siq, Mohammed showed us the first glimpse of "The Treasury."
Finally we saw one of the New 7 Wonders of the World (chosen in 2001 from 200 existing monuments).
I wanted to end with something that has nothing to do with Petra, but I thought it was worth sharing. Throughout orientation we had a lot of group discussions. During those group discussions opinions would be expressed and occasionally it would get a little heated when people vehemently defended their opinions. Usually these opinions would have to do with one's views on Judaism. On this program most kids are not Modern Orthodox, and this is the first time my ideas and views are a part of the minority. While I was talking to my friend Eitan about why we joined Kivunim, he told me that he wanted to test hismself because he too had never been a part of the minority when it came to his Modern Orthodox views. After he brought that to my attention I realized how important it is that I retain my Modern Orthodox roots. So far my passion for and commitment to being a Modern Orthodox Jew has only strengthened. After 18 years of a Modern Orthodox education and upbringing, I am realizing how deeply in me those beliefs and ideas are imbedded.
1 down, 10 to go.
