The city of Jerash still has many of its streets covered in stone. On either side of the street are colonnades and old stone buildings. The the paving stones can be seen ruts causing by wagon wheels and wheels of the chariots that passed through here 2000 years ago..
A Jordanian stands guard at the entrance to the Siq Gorge, an enormas fissure in the sandstone. This gorge provides one entrance into the ancient city of Petra.
Vistors to Petra can access Petra on horseback or by horse cart.
The walk to Petra is approximately 1 mile through the Siq Gorge. The ancient caravan roadway descends gradually to the heart of the ancient trading city. Thousands of years ago, the city was the junction of several trading routes. The tourist must beware when traveling through the gorge. A sudden rain storm and resulting flash flood drown a group of Eurpoean tourists in the 1960's.
As the traveller descinds into the gorge, the canyon walls rise upward 300 feet. The gorge itself is an enormous fissure in the sandstone. The gorge twists and turns many times on the slow decline to Petra. Ancient graffiet can be seen on the walls. Small temples dedicated to different gods can be seen all along the way.
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