A Postcard from Jordan

I had planned to be super organised at the end of last month, to write this before I went away for a week and cleverly schedule it to be sent in my absence. But the afternoon I had planned to spend writing was instead spent making photographs in my role as volunteer photographer for Remember My Baby; I can’t think of a more important and valuable reason to alter my plans, and I never take for granted what a great privilege it is to be part of the saddest and most challenging moments of a family’s life.

So it was on a sober note that I left home to meet my older sister and travel to Jordan together, but what a week it was. We joined a group of twelve others with a tour company called G Adventures without whom our combined lack of Arabic would have made travelling rather more difficult. Jordan is a fascinating country, nestled between Israel, Syria, Iraq and Saudia Arabia it has somehow managed, in recent times, to remain a peaceful spot amongst the region’s chaos and troubles.

*I do seem to have a disproportionate number of donkeys and camels amongst my photos (apologies to my sister who perhaps should have featured more!)*

*One of several ‘best view in the world’ locations that we enjoyed at Petra*

We began the week in Amman, travelling north then south to take in the Roman Ruins at Jerash, a Crusader Castle at Kerak, the Dead Sea, Wadi Rum and of course Petra. I love learning, and piecing together a little of the ancient history that has shaped these places has been fascinating and energising. I didn’t study history at school (and frankly can remember very little of anything else I studied anyway) but Jordan has piqued my interest and I’ve found myself googling ‘ancient history timelines’ etc. In fact I came across this video, with accompanying chart, and have enjoyed learning a little more context.

*Donkeys making the descent at Petra unaccompanied!*

Petra was as awesome, in the true sense of the word, as one imagines from photos and I found myself wishing I could time travel so as to really understand what the place was like in its heyday - how wonderful it would be to watch the caravans arriving to rest up and trade on this part of the Silk Route! We found ourselves somewhat incredulous as we discovered the ways in which those early civilisations harvested water, and how we seem to have lost our way in many regards. Climbing right up to look out over the Monastery was a highlight, and we returned again in the evening to see the Ciq and Treasury lit up, we walked over 23km that day and I’m not sure my feet will ever be the same shape again!

*Pause to notice the scale of the Monastery at Petra in relation to the people in front of it!*

It wasn’t all historical monuments though, we floated in the Dead Sea where we also slathered ourselves in the much acclaimed mud of its shore, we ate delicious local food, watched sunrise from a camel’s back and snorkelled in the Red Sea. It truly was a trip of a lifetime and left me hungry for more travelling.

*I can’t deny that I fell a little bit in love with my camel, or at the very least with her eyelashes!*

I hope you’ll enjoy some of these photos, I do love the variety I’m able to experience through photography - from the most intimate, sensitive moments to branding for small business via gardens and travel! As ever, if you or anyone you know is looking for a photographer do keep me in mind.

With my love and very best wishes that October was good to you,

Vanessa

PS. All looking positive on the home front, ‘though until we have progressed just a wee bit further I can’t bring myself to tempt fate and share more. Next time! x

FROM MY CAMERA ROLL!

With thanks to fellow travellers for these shots

Homeward Bound

Early Autumn