As you come to the end of the canyon you start to see the Treasury, which is the most famous monument in Petra. It is at least four stories tall and it is best seen in the early morning when the sun is shining on the facade.
Petra was once a major crossroads for cavaran routes that led to Sinai, the Red Sea, the Dead Sea, Egypt and Syria. The streets of Petra are lined with tombs, temples and storage places. There are steep walled canyons and old cavaran roads. Throughout the city are scattered hundreds of tombs and funerary valults carved out of rock and adorned with sculptures.
After about fifteen minutes we came to the end of the gorge. About seventy five feet from the end you can see part of the building through the opening. As you get closer you see the whole building.
The Treasury
The sun is on it and it glistens in the early morning sunlight. The guide explained the story told of many years ago that there was Egyptian treasure in the building. That is why it was called the Treasury. Many people came to Petra to find the treasure. There are bullet holes in the upper part of the building where people shot at it to see if some gold would fall out.
Once inside the guide left and we were left on our own to explore the place. I walked over to the Treasury and walked up the steps, passed the massive columns and looked inside. There was a large, dark room that was completely carved out of the stone. The building is colossal up close.
The Canadian couple had plans of hiking up some of trails to the high places and then exploring around a little bit. So we went our separate ways. We agreed to meet at a little resturant near the amphitheater at 12.30.
On the wide, main street I looked to the right and saw the tall tombs with facades which were not as well defined at the Treasury. Some of the facades have been damaged over the centuries from flooding and the wind. I walked further down the street toward once was once the city center. In the distance you can see the canyon walls with a number of small tombs carved into the red limestone.
I had no real plans. Coming here to see the Treasury was the dream of a lifetime. I wandered aimlessly down the street. Then a driver came around with his horse and buggy. He asked me if I wanted a ride. I asked him how much. He said 30$ Jordanian money. I decided to hop in and gave him the money. He then took me ten minutes drive down the road and then let me off. He didn't take me anywhere. He just wanted the money. He just took advantage of me. I felt alittle flusters and angry that I allowed that to happen.
Then a swarthy looking Bedouin donkey tender came up to me and asked me if I wanted to ride his donkey. I showed little interest because I just got ripped off and was still reeling from that experience. Finally he said he would take me to the Monestary and back for 20$ Jordanian. That sounded much better so I decided to take him up on his offer. I got on his donkey and we proceeded down a Roman Road that had columns on one side toward some mountains in the distance. I found out this guy's name was Terek. He said that he takes his donkey on this trek three times every day. The donkey was funny. He didn't like walking on sand. Everytime we came upon any kind of stone walk way he would walk on it. The donkey's name was Jack.
Terek knew enough English to hold somewhat of a conversation, although he spoke with an English accent, probably because more English people come to Petra then Americans. He told me that he wants to get out of the donkey handling business and move to Europe. He met a lady one time and she tried to help him go to Switzerlsand, but was unable to because he didn't have enough education and was a donkey handler. Then later he met another lady from Spain. She also tried to help him go there but he was unable to. He feels stuck in his trade. He wants to get out but can't for the moment.
We arrived at the foot of the mountain. There was a staircase and Jack galloped up with a sudden burst of energy like nobodys business. This went on for awhile then we came to a leveled off area where there was just a dirt trail. Along the way there were tents and tables set up with hawkers trying to sell their wares. There were bracelets of turquoise and silver and other jewelry and knick-knacks, Arab teapots and many other things. Terek pointed a mule out to me. "It's half horse and half donkey". he said. "They are beautiful and graceful like a horse, but as stupid as a donkey". Then he went on to tell me that only donkeys can climb these steep stairs because they have no shoes like a horse. Horses can't do this because their shoes will make them slip. Camels have flat, padded feet and can't climb these stairs. Donkeys are the only beast that can go up and down a mountain like this.
Some of the places we came upon were difficult and treacherous. At one point we passed a cliff edge that was very dangerous looking. One slip and someone could get killed very easily. Terek assurred me that Jack was a very strong animal. He was good at his work and was very sure footed.
We finally came to a plateau. A little farther up the way and the Monestary came into view. We were pretty near the top of the mountain and to the left there were a great sweeping panorama of the nearby mountains and some deep gorges below.
The Monestary is one of the largest monuments in Petra. It was known as the 'hermit's cell' after the middle ages. It has one large main chamber carved out of stone. There is evidence that there was an altar there at one time. Christian crosses are carved on the inside walls. To the left of the monument there are caves dug into the limestone and a carving of two camels and men, and in the niche of one of the caves is carved a man standing next to an altar. A cistern is also there.