Restaurant on the way to Mount Nebo

As a vegetarian, and being a diabetic, I always worry about options on my tours. Though compared to many of my family members and friends from the same community, I am much of an adventurer when it comes to food. I like to taste new varieties of food from around the world.

When we planned Jordan, though many write ups on net mentioned amazing food available, I was skeptical. However, after the trip, I decided to visit middle east more to explore their culture and cuisine as their spread of vegetarian food is unimaginably colourful and delicious.

Though every restaurant was hesitant, offered vegetarian options as they were not sure what they were offering will be of my liking or not. For them, the main course is meat based and the "vegetarian" preparations are on the side. For me, those salads, dips, baked or steamed vegetables, breads, etc were more than enough.

This Restaurant Souk near Mt Nebo was the only restaurant for the tourists. Many Christians visiting Mt Nebo were like on pilgrimage. We observed many of them were fasting or on diet restrictions or somewhat were like vegetarians as they were picking food from the buffet was mostly vegetables.

The restaurant staff were very service oriented and were quick to every request.

Restaurant Terrace Souk : https://goo.gl/maps/TD6Cq7yK3662





 

Best Kunafe in Aman City

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanafeh

On the second day of our Jordan tour, Nabil, our guide challenged us to a quick food tour for our lunch. After a hefty lunch at the famous Hashem Restaurant, we walked down the street towards Habibah Alley to grab dessert just like locals. As we approached the alley, we started bumping into people standing around with plates, scooping out something like caramel topped with pistachios. 

This is the first time I tried a middle east dessert and threw in towel, and bowed to their sweet obsession. As an Indian, I was always mocked for my sweet tooth. Here, I felt that Indians and their crazy obsession with sugar is nothing!

There were a few varieties. What we have tasted was a very soft cheese, topped with deep fried crispy noodles dipped in thick sugar syrup and topped with pistachios. 

We felt that, the portion was big enough to be a snack not an after meal dessert. None of us could not complete our take. 

Next time, we will be prepared.

Best cooling drink in Jordan

Madaba, Jordan - Christian Pilgrimage

Contact for the Pilgrim
stay at
Church of St.George

Church of St. George or Church of Map is one of the primary locations in Madaba Jordan for Pilgrims. Since late 19th century, the place is well known for the wonderful archaeological findings dates back to 5th Century CE.

The earlier Churches in the region are famous for their mosaics which tell stories from Bible.

The pilgrim house is believed to be the best place for rest and rejuvenation for the devotees who wants to explore the roots of the faith.

You can visit the FB page of the Pilgrim House for more updates.

https://www.facebook.com/pilgrimshousemadaba/

Inside Church of St. George

Tree of life - Petra

Tree of life is the first from the right

Petra - in Latin it means Rock. The name is given by ancient Greek merchants witnessing the wast mountain ranges in the desert.  The place was believed to be inhabited as early as nine thousand BCE. Nabataeans, one of the nomadic tribes of Arabian desert, were the occupants of this area.

Nabateans were polytheistic and worshipped a wide variety of gods. The Gods were represented mostly as abstract stone sculptures and their sacred places are adorned with geometric designs. Nabateans believed in afterlife, practiced ritual sacrifices. Petra, mainly the siq has many temples and worshiping places which clearly show the regular habitual life of Nabateans filled with religious practices. 

Petra was a multi cultural hub. Being a trade hub along the ancient silk route, the place witnessed cultural interaction, religious diversity, philosophical patronage along with exchange of material wealth. This small stone carving of "Tree of life" as believed today, represents the later part of Nabateans life, when Christianity was adopted by the inhabits.

However, the question still remains as is it really the "Tree of life" that is mentioned in the Bible or is it just another worshiping symbol of Pre-Islamic religions from the desert?