Wadi Rum

This weekend 10 of us headed south to the Wadi Rum desert. After quite the drive, we arrived at a Bedouin campsite in complete darkness. We were warmly welcomed with a traditional meal of pita, chicken, rice and veggies and sweet mint tea. After the long, relaxing dinner we meandered up hill with bags and blankets in hand. We slept in the soft desert sand, shrouded by the most amazing display of stars. Arriving in total darkness made the morning view that much more dramatic. What had been various shades of black the night before were deep oranges, and the large masses only barely visible against the night sky were enormous and textured rock jebels. As the last of our party slowly awoke, we silently drank in the beauty of Wadi Rum. Next to such magnificent rock formations and the endless stretches of sand, I felt so small and overwhelmed by the landscape’s majesty. After an early breakfast we took a wonderful jeep tour. High spirited and with the wind in my hair I would not have wanted to be in any other place; for a girl who grew up on the ocean, I never thought I would treasure another element of the planet quite as much. Even being in such a peaceful and remote location, time eventually caught up to us and we drove back to campus. I am looking forward to spending many more weekends among the Bedouin, sand and stars.