Petra and Jordan

Lost in Stone, Found in Time Petra and Jordan Petra was more than just a location I went to; it was a place where I experienced something. You understand what I mean if you have ever stood somewhere and felt your breath physically leave your body.

  I had previously seen the pictures. The renowned façade of Al-Khazneh (the Treasury), carved into a cliff and glowing rose-gold in the desert sun, is something you have most likely seen as well. It appears to be something from a dream. However, nothing—not even a picture, a video, or an Instagram reel—can prepare you for the moment you enter the Siq and witness it firsthand. Allow me to describe what it was like to walk, hear, and feel Petra, not just see her. The First Steps: Entering the Siq I got to the Petra Visitor Center early in the morning, long before the tour groups did. The strategy was straightforward: avoid the crowds, go slowly, and allow the city to unfold. The Siq, a nearly mile-long, narrow gorge sculpted by nature over thousands of years, is where the journey starts. Both sides of you are surrounded by towering cliffs that change color as the sun rises. Amber, rust, and deep purple hues. A new texture or light angle is revealed at each turn in the journey. Then all of a sudden you see it. Al-Khazneh (The Treasury) is the revelation. The rock splits like a curtain at the Siq’s end. Al-Khazneh appears as a sliver of pink light appears. For a full minute, I don’t believe I moved. In fact, my heart stumbled. The Treasury is enormous. Its Hellenistic architecture was painstakingly etched into the sandstone in every detail. Winged figures, enormous urns, and Corinthian columns. And that hue — that delicate, cozy, unattainable rose color that is unique to Petra. I saw the morning sun slowly make its way down its face, illuminating it bit by bit like a temple awakening from slumber. The few early risers around me were just as quiet. That sacred, communal pause ensnared us all. Beyond the Treasury: A Ghost City Many people are unaware that Petra is more than just the Treasury. And that’s just the start. More than 800 buildings, including temples, tombs, residences, amphitheaters, and staircases that blend into the mountains, make up this entire city that has been carved out of the desert. I had the impression of an archaeologist unearthing a lost world as I ventured farther into the location. I ascended to the High Place of Sacrifice, which offers sweeping views of the whole valley of Petra. The wind was wild and dry. I briefly pictured the rites that used to take place there, complete with smoke, chants, and ancient priests, as I could see the remnants of incense altars. I sensed the presence of something ancient everywhere I went; it wasn’t exactly haunted, but it was very conscious. Getting to Know the Bedouins: Tales in the Sand I met Faris, a Bedouin from the area, halfway through the day. Something about his serene demeanor caused me to pause as he sat outside a cave serving tea to passing tourists. We conversed. He explained to me how his family had previously resided in the Petra caves before being relocated to a neighboring village. He talked about how he used to play among the ruins as a kid and how there is a story, a spirit, or a memory in every part of Petra. When I told him that Petra felt magical, he laughed. “No,” he replied. “Magic is delusion. Petra is real. This is better than any museum, I thought as we sat on a faded rug in the shade of a thousand-year-old tomb and drank sweet black tea. The Ad-Deir Monastery: A Trek Through Quietness I made the 800-step ascent to Ad-Deir, Petra’s lesser-known but no less magnificent monastery, in the late afternoon. The trail climbs through sandstone canyons, past caves, goats, and sporadic pomegranate juice vendors. My legs hurt and the sun was scorching, but I was in awe when I arrived at the summit. The Monastery is enormous. Despite being even larger than the Treasury, it seems more secretive and revered. There are moments of genuine solitude because fewer people ascend the mountain. I sat on a flat rock across from it and watched the sun set. The cliffs glowed, the shadows stretched, and for a time the only sound was the wind. Until the light started to go out, I remained up there. I was reluctant to go. Petra at Night: Echoes and Lanterns I still dream about the night I returned for Petra. Through the Siq and all the way to the Treasury, hundreds of candles are lit. With only the flickering lights and the gentle music that permeates the gorge to guide you, you stroll the path in silence. Above, the black velvet sky is dotted with stars. Candlelight fills the Treasury when you arrive. Traditional instruments are played by local musicians, and a story is told using voice, firelight, and shadows rather than dazzling effects or loud speakers. In the midst of strangers who, for the moment, felt like family, I sat cross-legged in the sand. And I came to the realization that Petra is not a destination. You will always remember Petra. Why Petra Is Different I have seen the Colosseum. traversed the Great Wall. touched the Egyptian pyramids. Petra, however, is unique. What makes it unique is this: It is alive: The stone is more than simply carved; it is living. The color of the light changes every hour. It has a sentient feeling. It’s enormous: Only about 5% of Petra is depicted in pictures. The remainder stretches for miles and miles. It’s personal: Petra makes you feel isolated despite its size. There are secluded spots, elevated vistas, and peaceful nooks where you can relax. It’s sentimental: Petra is more than just someone you admire. You relate to it. One Last Word I took a final glance at the Treasury behind me as I slowly made my way back through the Siq after leaving Petra. The trail was almost deserted. It was quiet. I switched off my phone. I wasn’t ready for the world to return. Luxuries and lights don’t make Petra shine. It is not required to. It reveals something more profound and timeless. Go above and beyond in 2025. Travel for awe rather than just enjoyment. And visit Petra when you’re prepared to enter legend and walk through stone. You won’t return the same.