Freedom 'neath the open skies.

The Bedouin.  Ammarin Bedouin Camp, in Beidha, Jordan. Our van pulled up to the camp in total darkness -the only light was a backdrop of a trillion stars illuminating the silhouetted shadows of the Bedouin men standing there to welcome us.  Frankincense was fragrancing the air, they were tossing it onto the fire to perfume the environment. We were warmly welcomed into the tent to enjoy a tasty dinner, a cultural lesson & to get to know these generous people. Then an amusing moment...a cell phone rang, and the man in the Jordanian headscarf excused himself to answer it. 

A healing man who also makes music with a rabab for the guests. I found out it is a lambskin covered box with a single horsehair string and played with a horsehair bow.  It sounds very uniquely Arabian.

 

Guests at our table included a woman travelling with her son; they were regaling us with stories of going into the Dead Sea and what that was like. The boy travels quite frequently with his mother and has been to a lot of remote places. 

Gathering around a low table, we ate like royalty.  But the hospitality didn't end with the delicious food.  They shared their culture in many ways with us, including the music and the healing/shamanic work that was offered to some people who wanted it. The hosts were gracious, accomodating and eager to share the history of their desert culture.

 
Baskets of fruit and cookies.

The hand of Swirly Girl herself, reaching out for some cookies.

These two are good friends with each other.  Both are my friends.  Friend *one* is the most beautiful Tara, travel guide extraordinaire! The other is a *new* friend of mine, Zohrab-photographer to the Late King Hussein and his family.  He is a fantastic photographer who focuses currently on landscape photography. The two have known each other for some time...

Here Zohrab has his arm looked at by the musician/healing man Saaed (sp?).  There seemed to be nothing this man didn't know about.  He was oh so wise.

I was sad leaving this place.  I wanted an entire week there.  It had a tremendous energy-full of fresh air, great food, gentle people, quiet, stars, incense, a cosy atmosphere, and more.  It would be a fantastic place to go meditate or work in solitude if you are an artist.  So much inspiration could be drawn from here. It is said from what I've read before that the Arab's love their freedom-hence their nomadic lifestyle. Yet. A juxtaposition. There is a certain grounding you feel from being in the care of these people that is otherworldly-almost *heaven-like*.  The spirituality seems to saturate every corner of the camp, from the veiled woman baking flatbread to the little carpets strewn everywhere.  Go!-take a leap of faith and sign up for Tara's next trip to Jordan.  You will thank me. Oh wow, when you come back down to earth that is.  {Still suffering post-travel blues.} xo

Comments

[Donna]

The cell phone breaking the silence was classic! That really was a special evening, I've been meaning to get to that part of the story but you have already done it so well here.

[Gigi]

What an amazing experience, Gillian. I feel so lucky to get to read your posts about this trip--at once foreign and deeply comforting & welcoming. Just beautiful. xo

[Tara Bradford]

It was a special evening and you've described its highlights beautifully. And thanks for the nod to my next Journey to Jordan! (Want to come along??!!). xoxox

[Gillian daSilva]

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YES!!!
 

From:

[Swirly]

I'm with you - I wanted to stay there and simply BE with all of it.

[Marilyn]

I can't wait, you make it sound wonderful.

[Yoli]

It is a dream of mine. I felt I was there, you have such a way with words. Tara, love seeing her beautiful face.

[se'lah]

Tara inspires me, as well.

I just love to see different cultures. Thanks for sharing this.

[christina]

I love that smile on our friends face!
XO