The forecast for today is showers with a high of 5C, but happily we just had some rain in the morning then it was mostly overcast and it maybe hit 6 C. Unlike some other people on the tour I was prepared for the cool weather --- 2 pairs of pants, a t-shirt, light fleece sweater, a down sweater, gortex jacket, toque and gloves. If it gets colder I have long johns and 2 more layers for the top ---- I might look like the Michelin man but I’ll be warm.

We started the day visiting some sites in Amman with the Citadel being the first stop. The area known as the Citadel sits on the highest hill in Amman and is the site of ancient Rabbath-Ammon (bronze age). Unfortunately, an earthquake in AD 749 destroyed or partially destroyed all the buildings in the area.

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Two giant pillars from the Temple of Hercules

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The Citadel’s most impressive series of historic buildings is focused around Umayyed Palace (built by Umayyed Arabs). The 2 end walls of the building were left standing after the earthquake. The remainder of the building was restored including the dome.

There is a small but very interesting archeological museum on the Citadel.

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Two-headed bust from plaster and bitumen. Pre-Pottery Neolithic 6500 BC . Anthropoid coffins --- the face on the wall would cover the empty spot on the left hand coffin. Typically in use from the 13th to 7th century BC.

After this we had a quick visit to the forum, then went for a stroll through some of the downtown area of Amman. We stopped at a bakery for a treat, walked through a fruit and vegetable market and stopped at a falafel stand for another treat. One of the really nice things about Jordan is that we can eat fresh fruit and vegetables again --- the water is treated!

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The forum.

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Those are big cabbages --- Toni’s hand is for size comparison.

About an hour north of Amman is the modern city of Jerash. The ruined city of Jerash (known in Roman times as Gerasa) is Jordan’s largest and most interesting Roman site. Within it is Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Artemis (goddess of hunting and fertility), the Forum, the South Theatre, the Upper Temple of Zeus and the list continues. I’ve identified places in the photo best as I could using the map of Jerash in my guidebook.

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Hadrian’s Gate

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On the outside of the Hippodrome (ancient sports field). Ed liked the symmetry of it.

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Nymphaeum, the main ornamental fountain of Jerash dedicated to the water nymphs. On the backside of the fountain was a waterwheel and a water driven reciprocating stone saw.

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Temple of Zeus. One of the amazing things about Jerash city is the number of blocks and parts of pillars that are on the ground. You look around at the pillars and buildings that have been restored, then look at the blocks on the ground and are awestruck as you image what was actually standing when Jerash was an active city.

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From high up at the Temple of Zeus looking down at Forum and the main avenue Cardo Maximus

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Ed and I at the top row of the South Theatre looking down into the South Theatre.