Madaba

CONTINUED FROM HERE: Aqaba

Backpacking Jordan: Day 014 (28-April-2024)

 

Traveling Like Locals

Hostel was almost empty. Apart from me there were four other travellers. Three men from India arrived late last night and were leaving early this morning. I had a brief conversation with them at the kitchen while making my morning tea. They had been to Beirut before coming to Jordan. They had already visited Petra and Wadi Rum already. When I asked them how long did they stay in Wadi Rum – One or two nights as there are two packages, one of them answered – One night. “Waha kuch nahi hai dekne ko.” (There is nothing to see there). I smiled as he added – We are heading to Egypt next. 

I took a taxi to reach the North Bus station. I had booked it through Kareem app but the driver asked me to cancel the ride and pay me the amount directly to him. I am used to such requests from Indian taxi drivers so it did not seem odd. 

At the bus station, I enquired a few people about the bus to Madaba and they directed me to the appropriate waiting area. A kind villager alerted me when the minibus arrived. The drive was about an hour long and the driver would stop anywhere along the waif requested. This is similar to how it is in India. College students were going to the universities that apparently are located along this route. 

I reached Madaba and walked directly to the Apostles Church. The marbel work there is impressive. Apart from me there was a ginger cat who wanted me to cuddle her. 

I then walked to the Madaba Archaeological Museum. More marble flooring was in display. 

Next, I stopped at St John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church. The church was getting ready for the Sunday mass. Locals had gathered and were greeting each other. Everyone was dressed in suits and robes. I felt like a misfit there with my traveler look therefore, I left.

I next walked to the famous street in Madaba that is filled with shops selling marble works, clothes and food. 

I then went to Madaba Archaeological Park. Here there are more ancient marble works from the Byzantine period. 

St George’s Greek Orthodox Church also houses a map of the Asia minor from this ancient period. The church was asking for an entry fee of 1JD to view it. 

I had a glass of fresh Pomegranate juice and then had my lunch at this restaurant called Fokar & Bhar suggested by a British traveller at the hostel. I ordered a veg tajine there which was okay. Nothing like the ones I had had in Spain at an authentic Moroccan restaurant. But it was my mistake. I must have ordered something Jordanian. 

Post lunch, I returned to the bus station and waited for a bus to Amman. The bus that I had come by in the morning was there and I boarded that. I got off at Abdali and walked to downtown, bought some postcards for friends and family. After searching for a lot, I finally found the ones I liked – A series of paintings of Petra done in 1839 by David Roberts. Thus another incredible day in Jordan came to an end. 

The best way to understand a country is by travelling like a local; with them. It is difficult to travel by public transport in Jordan when you do not speak Arabic. But my travels have taught me that one does not really need to rely too much on language to get the basic information. On this trip too, it was the locals who went out of their way to help me. 

A villager helped me board the bus to Madaba. A college girl translated the driver’s speech to me about providing change later. A teenage boy asked me to show me my destination in Google maps so that he could find the right bus for mew. I ended up riding the same bus to and from so the driver recognised me and quickly directed me to his bus. A Palestinian young man helped me translate my destination to the ticket collector. So, this bus trip to Madaba was more interesting than the sights I visited there. As I often say - Travelling is not about visiting only the tourist attractions but to immerse oneself, as much as one can, in the culture and day-to-day life of the inhabitants.

CONTINUED HERE: As-Salt