January in Jordan

This was written in January and due to my own technical deficiencies while traveling, I am posting it now.

I’m writing to you from the absolutely gorgeous, inspiring, and friendly country of Jordan. There’s a saying I subscribe to which is, “if I haven’t been there, it’s on the list.” Surely that is true for Jordan.

Having traveled to 54 countries before Jordan, I’ve recently been a bit nervous going to new places, slightly worried that the feeling of truly living, being alive, and the awe and wonder of meeting new people in diverse cultures will ever numb. Will I travel half way around the world to think, “oh that’s nice” and swiftly move along. Well I can report that this nation of Jordan, firstly its people, and then its magnificent sites, history, and current place in the world is deeply moving to my core.

If you don’t know (it’s ok) Jordan is the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and it’s ruled by the Jordanian royal family. A family I don’t know but King Abdullah and I, at different times never crossing, both studied at Pembroke College Oxford. For whatever reason, my identity and pride as a Pembrokian, I realised, created a need in me to like, no, to adore this country. I wanted and needed to be proud of Jordan.

But things got deeper once I arrived. The royal family of Jordan are the direct descendants, the king is the 41st direct descendent, of the Prophet Mohammed. This family, historically, were the caretakers of Mecca and now, as the Jordanian government leaders, they are the caretakers for Christianity’s holy site of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist (No it’s not in Israel or the West Bank).

The deeply sacred responsibility of this family line for the world’s heritage, Muslim, Christian, and every human being, feels immense. I can only imagine the deep burden and humbling spiritual honour it must be for this family. I am awed.

And I am awed because this country is full of incredibly kind, gentle people. The Jordanians we’ve met are as kind as they are intelligent. As generous as they are hard working. As funny as they are respectful. Country number 55 has stolen my heart and there are moments throughout the day when someone says or does something so kind, so thoughtful so simply human that it makes you want to be a better person.

So, I will write more when I have a proper keyboard rather than on my phone but I hope you enjoy my posts. Share the journey with others, check out the blog posts below or another country where a big piece of my heart lies, in Uganda.

Lots of love, hugs, and inspiration I aspire to send you from this most majestic Hashemite Kingdom.