Biblical Jordan

Yesterday, CIEE took all of the students on a Biblical Jordan excursion, where we visited famous biblical sites located less then two hours from Amman. Due to my limited travel experience beyond America, it was fascinating for me to be able to visit places that were significant thousands of years ago.

The first site that we visited was Makawar Mountain, the location where John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod Antipas. According to the biblical account, John the Baptist denounced the marriage of Herod because Herod had stolen his brother's wife, Herodious...scandalous :). For this denouncement, Herold imprisoned John the Baptist on top of Makawar Mountain. On Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodius, Salome, danced in front of the whole party; Herod was enthralled by her dancing so much that he told Salome that she could have anything she desired. Salome chose the head of John the Baptist on a platter at the request of Herodius, and her wish was granted.

Prison that Herod kept John the Baptist

Janet, Laurel, and I atop Mount Makawar

The whole group!


The next place we ventured was the city of Madaba, which is famous for its Byzantine-era architecture and mosaics. Within Greek Orthodox Basilica of St. George Church is the oldest map of the Holy Land, made entirely from mosaics and dated back to the 6th century. The people of Madaba continue to create beautiful mosaics in honor of its history.

 Basilica of Saint George

 Oldest map of the Holy Land preserved on the floor of the church

Artist from Madaba

Laurel and I in traditional hijab


Next we traveled to the most significant place of all -- Mount Nebo. On the summit of Mount Nebo is where God gave Moses the view of the Promised Land.

View from the summit of Mount Nebo