If I invited you in for tea, would you accept?
Would you offer my child a sweet? Ask him his name?
Would it matter to you that my second floor was absent? Waiting patiently for the second generation to build and move their family in, according to tradition....?
Will your children understand the level of patience and calm that our children afford them- in the face of no video games or television to distract them....?
When you stop to breathe in our landscape, will you allow us our space? That in which we have not built up in the name of commerce or gain? We have precious things to offer the world that don't involve competing with larger cities or countries....! We hold our own, thank you.
Would you join us for herbal tea? Perchance in places where famous people were taking steps in their own journeys? Tea with mint never tasted so nice! Oh and beautiful Israel is just 15 feet away. However, do not veer off the provided path, for land mines are located any which way, and cameras are trained on your every step-so going off the path could mean any number of troubles for you! We are in a military zone, you see. (It is for your own protection, dear friends.)
My goodness the river is cold. COLD. See page 157 of the April 2010 National Geographic to see just exactly where a certain group of travellers stood, not three weeks ago.
If you feel enough at home then please accept our hospitality. We'll be insulted if you do not.
So-one lump or two? It would seem that in Jordan, sugar in your tea is the norm. It is expected. So if this sounds like your kind of place, do visit and stay for tea. You won't regret a single moment of it. xo
As usual click to enlarge the photos. However, the shot of the little girl at Petra was out of focus, but she was so cute I couldn't stand not posting her, so forgive the photographers blunder. :)
Thank you for taking me back to Jordan again and again!
Posted by: Donna | March 28, 2010 at 10:50 PM
How could I not? I'm vying and scheming to get back there again....and I would love nothing more than for my homies to join me!
I thrive in reality. Jordan IS reality, with a human spirit. :)
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | March 28, 2010 at 11:01 PM
Oh, yes. I'd join in and say thank you very much for the hospitality. How happy I am that you've had this magical, life changing experience. And, as I know you, I am sure you blessed as much as you were blessed.
Posted by: Relyn | March 28, 2010 at 11:07 PM
Yes, tea please. I would love to have tea there in that home. Thanks for the visit.
Posted by: Marilyn | March 28, 2010 at 11:17 PM
Yes! And of course you had to include the photo of the little girl. Blurry or not, she is beautiful. You captured such magic with your photographs, Gillian, and now you are weaving it beautifully with your words. xoxo
Posted by: Gigi | March 28, 2010 at 11:39 PM
Oh, yes, I would happily accept tea with mint and all the is offered... :o) ((HUGS))
Posted by: Tracy | March 29, 2010 at 06:27 AM
Beautiful post, my dear friend. As you've shown here, the true essence of Jordan is reflected in its people and their kindness and hospitality (and generous nature). Lovely captures here and I love the soft-focus little girl pic; charming! I have a couple of soft-focus images too; doesn't detract from the photographer's intent and the beautiful subject. xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | March 29, 2010 at 07:54 AM
Oh yes and let's do Cairo too Gilly!
Posted by: Yoli | March 29, 2010 at 05:40 PM
Gillian ,my dear , these are treasures. The photos are amazing. THe first one is like a painting..I love it..love them all. Yuo have a magic way with words....It is alarming that in all this beauty . bad things lie just off the path.
Posted by: pam aries | March 29, 2010 at 06:59 PM
love this, love the journeying with you, love the rhythm of words & images. love that blue door!
Posted by: Debi | March 29, 2010 at 09:57 PM
This is wonderful Blue!
Profoundly tender.
muah
Posted by: gemma | March 29, 2010 at 10:11 PM
I really am enjoying your Jordon pictures and musings:)
Posted by: shelagh | March 30, 2010 at 08:56 AM
{happy sigh}
Posted by: Swirly | March 31, 2010 at 09:55 PM
{happy sigh}
Posted by: Swirly | March 31, 2010 at 09:56 PM