1994-1995 Rothberg Yearbook

LET S GO
While visiting Jordan, some people are content with only seeing the ancient city of Petra
in the Southwest part of the country. The ancient city carved in the beautiful red stone, is one of the
world’s most fascinating and awe-inspiring sights. Last October before the price increase, I had the
privilege of seeing Petra, the red city, for only $7 a day. When my 18 year old brother came to visit
me in Israel last December I had a problem. He insisted on seeing Petra but I refused to pay the new
$60 double entrance fee to see a sight that I had already seen.
Despite my financial worries, I gave in and my
brother, Andy, and I proceeded to visit Jordan. Once in
Jordan, we decided to go to Petra on the first night. On the
way to Petra in a smelly, crowded taxi, we met two Australians
who gave us a solution to our problem. They told us
about a bedouin village near Petra and an unguarded road that
led from the village straight into the middle of the ancient
city. The next morning at 5am, knowing nothing more than
to ask a taxi to take us to the bedouin village, Andy and I set
out on our adventure. Once inside the village, having no idea
where to go, we walked in search of the mysterious road
leading to Petra. After climbing down a rocky hill, we
reached a dirt road which we followed. After walking one
kilometer, we reached the middle of Petra! The only problem
was that the plan worked too well. It was 6am and we were
the only people in the place. All of a sudden, two ferocious
dogs started barking. Afraid of being noticed by the Jordanian
police, my brother and I ran at top speed to a hidden cave.
After an hour wait in the cave, we proceeded to see, at no cost,
the most beautiful ancient city in the world.
Two weeks ago, during my parents’ visit, a similar Petra dilemma occurred. I had
miscalculated the amount of money we would need in Jordan, and I feared we would not have enough
money to pay for Petra and all the border taxes. After a family conference, my parents agreed that
if we were short on cash, they would be willing to sneak into Petra with me.
With an inexplicable sense of deja vu, I set out with my parents at 5am for a familiar bedouin
village. Unfortunately, this entrance attempt was not as easy as the last one. My parents, despite their
excellent shape, are not as young as they used to be. Aside from a few sticky situations along the way,
my parents and I reached
Petra unscathed at
around 6:20am and had
a wonderful visit in the
ancient city of stone.
Sure, seeing
Petra is an adventure in
itself. People pay $30 a
day to see the great place.
With a little luck and
some quick thinking, I
had two even better, unforgettable
adventures
and saved my family
$150 in the process.
!
;
!
62 —Adam Goldman