Title courtesy of the ever-hilarious Elizabeth. :)
So, my last blog post was all about Stress. And what do you do when you're stressed out? Go to the beach, of course!
Straight after school on Thursday the Sarahs (there are two of them), Elizabeth, and I headed for Aqaba to watch Elizabeth run in the International Red Sea Marathon. Aqaba is a beach town overlooking the Red Sea (the same sea that Moses was supposed to have parted back in Old Testament days) at the very, very southern border of Jordan. We could actually see Egypt (Africa! We could see Africa!) from our hostel. Also Saudi Arabia was just six miles down the street, and Israel was right across the way. Jordan is tiny. Nevertheless, It took us four hours by bus to get there (which was actually a relief since I had been under the impression that it would take six hours), and due to ticket complications we did not get to our hostel until close to eleven. Elizabeth had to get up at five for her marathon. I do not envy her. The rest of us got up at about eight and ate a leisurely breakfast at the hostel. Then we headed into the city to find the finish line.
So I don't know about other people, but during most marathons and triathlons (yes that is actually how you spell that word, there is nothing between the h and the l, surprise!) that I've watched (and I've watched a few, my family likes to run), there are multiple points along the run from which spectators can cheer their friends/family on. Not so much the case in Aqaba. In fact, although most people seemed to be aware that a marathon was going on, they didn't really seem to understand what a marathon was and thus things were not very clearly marked and people were driving cars and horses and ATVs and camels through what was supposed to be the track. Also, no one really believed us when we told them our friend was running the full marathon. Apparently, most people that run the Aqaba "marathon" are either kids that run in the fun run, or people who want to get into the Western trend of running a marathon by running a 5k. We stood at the finish line for about two hours and only saw four people (including Elizabeth) that ran the full marathon. Have I mentioned that Jordanians don't like to walk or run? They don't.
Speaking of that finish line though, it was a major ordeal locating the finish line itself, due to the aforementioned misunderstanding of what a marathon is by Jordanians. Every person we asked, including cops, thought we were asking when the marathon ended when we asked them "Where is the finish line?" Even when we asked in Arabic. We finally found it by asking a friendly guy at a tourist information booth. The finish line was located near the giant Aqaba flag (we thought it was Palestinian at first) pole that is visible from every point within a number of miles.
After much congratulations and hugging we went out to eat and then headed back to the hostel for some rest and relaxation by the pool. Sadly (or not so sadly if you're me and hate chlorine), it was too cold to swim. I meant to do homework during this time, but that did not happen. Shhhh..... Instead, after hanging out by the pool, we went out to dinner with some other friends that were also in Aqaba to celebrate a birthday. I got pasta and it was soooo tasty. We also met a South African guy that was very nice, but a little mysterious. We gathered that he was pilot of some kind working in private security in Afghanistan and Pakistan who had somehow gotten to Jordan from Dubai, even though he was supposed to be returning to Afghanistan... He was interesting. One of my favorite things about hostels is all of the interesting people you meet along the way, which is not something that really happens in hotels. To be fair, I've only ever stayed in two hostels ever, but I have absolutely loved both of them. The Mavi Guesthouse in Istanbul beats out the Bedouin Gardens in Aqaba, but the Bedouin Gardens was still lovely and really pretty.
Other than the marathon (which was only actually chaotic and long and tiring for Elizabeth), we had a pretty stress-free, relaxing weekend. We spent our night in the hostel eating peanut butter and cookies, drinking cheap booze (well, apple and orange vodka for me, and real booze like Guinness and port for the Sarahs) and watching Crazy Stupid Love with the amazingly not-photoshopped Ryan Gosling. Overall a very good weekend.
Aqaba was my last travel weekend of the semester--I am now out of money and out of time to do any further traveling other than going home. So from here on out y'all are likely to see a couple of blog posts about finals and Arabic and homework and my increasing excitement about going home, but probably no more camel rides, archaeological ruins, or unplanned desert trips. I have mixed feelings about this..... Anyway, another camel picture!
So, my last blog post was all about Stress. And what do you do when you're stressed out? Go to the beach, of course!
There was a prettier beach next to our hostel but I forgot to take a picture.
Straight after school on Thursday the Sarahs (there are two of them), Elizabeth, and I headed for Aqaba to watch Elizabeth run in the International Red Sea Marathon. Aqaba is a beach town overlooking the Red Sea (the same sea that Moses was supposed to have parted back in Old Testament days) at the very, very southern border of Jordan. We could actually see Egypt (Africa! We could see Africa!) from our hostel. Also Saudi Arabia was just six miles down the street, and Israel was right across the way. Jordan is tiny. Nevertheless, It took us four hours by bus to get there (which was actually a relief since I had been under the impression that it would take six hours), and due to ticket complications we did not get to our hostel until close to eleven. Elizabeth had to get up at five for her marathon. I do not envy her. The rest of us got up at about eight and ate a leisurely breakfast at the hostel. Then we headed into the city to find the finish line.
Look, Egypt!
So I don't know about other people, but during most marathons and triathlons (yes that is actually how you spell that word, there is nothing between the h and the l, surprise!) that I've watched (and I've watched a few, my family likes to run), there are multiple points along the run from which spectators can cheer their friends/family on. Not so much the case in Aqaba. In fact, although most people seemed to be aware that a marathon was going on, they didn't really seem to understand what a marathon was and thus things were not very clearly marked and people were driving cars and horses and ATVs and camels through what was supposed to be the track. Also, no one really believed us when we told them our friend was running the full marathon. Apparently, most people that run the Aqaba "marathon" are either kids that run in the fun run, or people who want to get into the Western trend of running a marathon by running a 5k. We stood at the finish line for about two hours and only saw four people (including Elizabeth) that ran the full marathon. Have I mentioned that Jordanians don't like to walk or run? They don't.
Old castle ruins on the way to the finish line.
The flagpole and the Sarahs.
Elizabeth finished the marathon in about six hours, we were so proud! She got a fancy medal and everything. Also a beer from one of the Sarahs. Very important after running 26.2 miles. 
Elizabeth's medal!
After much congratulations and hugging we went out to eat and then headed back to the hostel for some rest and relaxation by the pool. Sadly (or not so sadly if you're me and hate chlorine), it was too cold to swim. I meant to do homework during this time, but that did not happen. Shhhh..... Instead, after hanging out by the pool, we went out to dinner with some other friends that were also in Aqaba to celebrate a birthday. I got pasta and it was soooo tasty. We also met a South African guy that was very nice, but a little mysterious. We gathered that he was pilot of some kind working in private security in Afghanistan and Pakistan who had somehow gotten to Jordan from Dubai, even though he was supposed to be returning to Afghanistan... He was interesting. One of my favorite things about hostels is all of the interesting people you meet along the way, which is not something that really happens in hotels. To be fair, I've only ever stayed in two hostels ever, but I have absolutely loved both of them. The Mavi Guesthouse in Istanbul beats out the Bedouin Gardens in Aqaba, but the Bedouin Gardens was still lovely and really pretty.
Near our room at the Bedouin Gardens hostel. I loved all of the colors.
Cheap booze in Aqaba is cheap 'cause it's a duty-free zone.
This camel was not as nice as Shilou.
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