THE CHILDREN OF PETRA We walked the ancient way of the Siq, the meandering 1.25 mile-long roadway to Petra*. It is a pathway between the chasm created by sheer, rosy-orange striated rock walls, some of which soar up to 400 feet in height. At times, the way is deeply shaded and the blue sky can barely be seen, rendering our walk cooler at those times. Winding curves, some only as wide as eight feet, give way to broader roads (some Roman) at other locations for walkers, caravans, camels and donkeys and carts. The walls, containing myriads of caves, are entrancing and if able, could tell the aged stories of the nomadic Bedouins who have inhabited them for centuries. Some still do and it was that was as we walked along the roadway, we met the children of Petra. Standing in the shadows of the massive pink sandstone walls, they were tiny, unobtrusive. Their clothing is of a color and style common to the Bedouins and blends in with the shadows. I see the small forms of the boys and girls of Petra. The small boys approach is easy, quiet and with a smiling face that matches his big brown eyes. He walks silently up to me and asks, “Postcards? One dollar.” His hands hold many of them and I am easily swayed by his childlike charm. I can’t delay or I will lose my group of fellow travelers, I think. Somehow we connect, I buy the postcards and he does what he has been taught to do. He asks me to buy more, and when I nod my head to decline, he insists on placing them in my hand. “Present…free.” He smiles as he places them in my hand. Oh dear! One smile leads to another, followed by mutual hugs and even kisses on the cheek. He follows me along, leaving his companions to interact with the rest of the travelers. I wonder if has eaten any breakfast and if he has enough water so that he won‘t dehydrate. I think about his days. Are they all the same? Up early, grab some food, drinks, packs of postcards and off into the deep chasm leading to Petra he goes for another day, amid the crowds, the camels, the horse carts and donkeys. What is his future? Reluctantly, I let him go and proceed with my fellow pilgrims toward our destination, which lies beyond the sinuous route of the Siq. I, along with everyone else, cannot hide my anticipation. Soon… Deeper and deeper we walk…into the rocks. Such beauty as we see is elegantly enhanced by the sun at times, yielding the pink-orange glow of the sandstone cliffs. In such locations as this, when the sun shines through, we on occasion see fig trees growing out of the walls. Our guide, who is a geologist, explains about the long-ago-tectonic movements which resulted in our stratified surroundings. We are in awe as we begin to see the ancients inscriptions and carvings he points out to us. Soon, a glimmer ahead, like a vertical shaft of elegant brilliance. We are closer, but have no idea of what our eyes shall soon behold, despite the photos we may have seen in books and brochures. The shaft of light becomes larger, more defined and suddenly, we enter into the incredible expanse of Petra! The pink city is alive with color and unbelievable beauty! People everywhere, camels blanketed in myriads of colors, venders, peddlers calling out, “One dollar!“ There are marketplaces, foods, and the noise of hundreds of visitors talking, drinking in the beauty, snapping pictures as they keep looking up at the façade of The Treasury! It is truly a sight to experience and behold! I look around for the child, but he has retreated into the recesses of the Siq I have left behind. He is with his friends and siblings, the children of Petra. Farewell, my little friend. I pray that you will come to know Jesus as your Savior one day.I shudder a bit inside as I realize that had I brought one along with me, I could have given you a picture of Him. Next time, little guy…next time. You are in my prayers. Carol A. Krejci July 28, 2014 *“In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas [King of Petra] guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me [Paul], but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.” Corinthians 11:32-33 NRS bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-kadesh-barnea-petra.htm
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 08:21:33 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015