Jerash

Not much to report about the day at Jerash, although it was enjoyable.

A quick taxi to Tabarbour and from there a microbus to Jerash. It was in some ways nice going to a place that is well known to tourists; I was assumed to not know any Arabic. The taxi driver, as soon as I said “Tabarbour Bus station” asked if I was going to Jerash. Upon arriving at the bus station, he and another bus attendant pointed out which bus I should get on. The taxi driver then told the attendant that I didn’t know Arabic (in Arabic). I didn’t disagree.

Most of the people on the bus were Jordanian, although there was a French couple of the backpack tourist type. They were, um, very affectionate between themselves.

Upon arriving in Jerash, my first task was to break my 50JD bill. I wandered down to the modern town where I paused to climb over the remains of the Roman baths where a man was also using them as a private refuge to talk on his cell phone. In the Friday market, I got my change from a Western Union and wandered around a bit to find a supermarket store to buy some lunch. I just love all the little shops! I successfully purchased some pre-packaged figs and was on my way back to the ruins.

I spent the day wandering all over, climbing and taking more pictures than absolutely necessary while creating fantastic story lines.

For lunch, I paused to eat my figs in the theatre, feeling rather Roman-esque. They were, without a doubt, the worst figs I have ever eaten. They were dry and hard and not succulent. I prerservered my way through them, figuring I needed to at least eat something. Then, I had a bite of sweetness. Hmm. I noticed the remaining part was darker than the rest. I took another bit; yep, it was sweet. I went looking for the dark ones. I stopped when I noticed that my fingers were covered in a black fungus…..from the sweeter dates that I had been eating. Still hungry, I decided to try just a few more of the non-sweet but fungus free dates. I finally gave up when I saw the long black hair that had been packaged in with them.

More walking, climbing, and exploring. I made it to the “Three Churches” that are  a bit off the beaten path. There was a herd of goats grazing in the church. I passed the young boy shepherds who were tending them. “Money?” they greeted me. I suppose it was the only Enlgish they knew. Either that or they thought it was a common American nickname.

I laughed at them and told them (in Arabic), “Money? What? What do you want – you have to be kidding. I’m a student, always broke. I don’t have any money.”  I think it was the longest speech in Arabic I’ve made yet.

More wandering about, and then finally back to the Hippodrome, where I saw the Roman soldiers escaping. (There is a show put on every day.)

Back on a bus to Tababor. When we got there, the taxi drivers standing around said there were no serviis to Raghadan. The French canoodling couple was there and asked if I wanted to share a taxi – they were going to the Balad. There was some confusion, and I ended up in a cab myself. The driver wanted four, then three JD to take me home, no meter. I told him, no, it was 2.50 always (which is more than fare – I had a metered ride that morning with no traffic that was 2.50 exactly). He agreed and I came home.