Wadi Mujab: Absolutely incredible!

Sorry that it's been so long to post! Midterms took up a ton of time last week, and things finally started to slow up. I haven't really had much exciting to write about because I've been doing homework practically 24/7. But, here's a few notes:

- Last Saturday, went to visit the Ajloun Castle, which was really sweet. Did a little hiking in a nature preserve there and visited a homemade soap factory.

- Last night, we enjoyed a lovely way too all-American bar at the Marriott here. I devoured a Caesar salad and some amazing cheese fries, and caught up on a little baseball. It was really great.

- BUT TODAY I HAD WHAT I'M ASSUMING WILL THE CLIMAX OF MY LIFE. It was incredible. Wadi Mujab is essentially this canyon with a low river running through it. But a better description is that this was nature's inspiration for the modern water park. Natural water slides, an amazing waterfall and cave within... It was a really strenuous, occasionally treacherous, 3 hour hike, but it was incredible. It was about an hour away from Amman. As we drive by, a massive body of water suddenly appears on our right: you always notice water in a desert. And our cab driver casually told us to say hello to Israel. Right there. And the Dead Sea. Just right there. It was amazing.

So, once we get to Wadi Mujab, we wait awhile, since this is the last weekend it's open before the flood season (hopefully! we need water!) and it might start getting cold. AKA, maybe below 75. Probably not. :) So, once our group is up, we all put on life vests, and then we're just pointed to hike. Luckily, one of the girls in our group had done this a few times before, but honestly, otherwise, it would have been a lot more dangerous. There are a few helpers for some tricky spots when you're hiking/scrambling upstream, but mostly, you're on your own. The water started out at mid calf but at points was chest level. It was amazing. Best hike I've ever done.

The water slides were cool on the way down, and there was even a solid 15 ft jump that I did into the water below. It was intense, but great.

I wish I had pictures! Bringing a camera, or anything, on this hike is nearly impossible because of the water. We left everything in the taxis before, and hiked in shorts or bathing suit bottoms and Tevas or sneakers.

In a few weeks, I'll be traveling to Cairo for the International Model Arab League conference for a week. Should be exciting! I'll post more later.