Our Jordanian tour guide, Mustache — whose real name is Isam — rendezvoused with us at the Captain's Hotel this morning, tearing, I imagine, into one of the made-in-front-of-you omelettes that the chefs were serving up (I know I did). Isam is privy to vast amounts of knowledge regarding the history of the Kingdom of Jordan; it spills from his lips and over the speaker system on the tour bus during our rides along the desert highways, much to the chagrin of those of us who would prefer to catch up on some sleep while we are traveling.

Middle EastLogan T. HansenMay 14, 2016travel, Jordan, Wadi Rum, Captain's Tourist Hotel, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Middle East, Aqaba, Star Wars, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tatooine, Nabataeans, Bedouin, Captain's Desert CampComment

Israeli Days/Jordanian Nights: Day 10

For probably the past year, I have been following an account on Instagram called "Visit Jordan" and the place I see featured the most is the one in the image above: the ancient city of Petra. It's made appearances in films like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), The Mummy Returns (2001), and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) — and it is truly something to see in person.

Middle EastLogan T. HansenMay 13, 2016travel, Jordan, Al Khazneh, Petra, Indiana Jones, The Mummy Returns, Transformers, Nabataeans, The Treasury, Siq, The Lion King, Bedouin, Captain's Tourist Hotel, Aqaba, Popeyes Louisiana KitchenComment

Israeli Days/Jordanian Nights: Day 9

We rose relatively early this morning to ship out from Nazareth and undergo the comprehensive security measures at the Israel-Jordan border crossing. There were lines to be waited in, passports to be stamped, luggage to be x-rayed, and metal detectors to be walked through; when all was said and done, a little more than an hour had gone by before we'd climbed onto the new bus along with our new tour guide in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Middle EastLogan T. HansenMay 12, 2016travel, Jordan, Jerash, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Ottoman Empire, Byzantines, World War I, Oval PlazaComment

Israeli Days/Jordanian Nights: Day 8

Today was our final day in the city of Nazareth, and we began by walking to the Municipal Center to have a word with Tareq. Sitting in a classroom typically reserved for the training of city tour guides like Yair, Tareq spoke about the importance of religious tourism.

Middle EastLogan T. HansenMay 11, 2016travel, Israel, Nazareth, hockey, religious tourism, Centre International Marie de Nazareth, University of Michigan, Nazareth Tigers, AfulaComment

Israeli Days/Jordanian Nights: Day 7

Day 7 began with a trip to the mayor's office in Nazareth. Ali Salam became the mayor of Israel's largest Arab city two years ago, after serving as deputy mayor for just about two decades. With Raji — another one of our guides — translating, Mayor Salam welcomed us to Nazareth and gave a brief overview of the kinds of work he does, and what he hopes to accomplish.

Middle EastLogan T. HansenMay 10, 2016travel, Israel, basketball, Ali Salam, Nazareth, University of Michigan, White Mosque, Basilica of the Annunciation, Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, Art and Culture House, Mary's Well, YMCA, tennis

Israeli Days/Jordanian Nights: Day 6

Today was the big one, the Mini Mondial (Mini World Cup) put on by PeacePlayers International in the city of Herzliya. The soccer tournament is held annually to help foster peace between Israeli and Palestinian children, centered around the idea that sport can bring people together. The kids are placed on teams made up of both Israelis and Palestinians and get to know each other by participating in weekly and monthly activities leading up to the main event.

Middle EastLogan T. HansenMay 9, 2016travel, soccer, Israel, Mini Mondial, PeacePlayers International, Herzliya, Facebook, University of Michigan, DeShawn Sims, Stu Douglass, Hapoel Gilboa GalilComment

Israeli Days/Jordanian Nights: Day 5

It was a hot one today, folks. Despite that fact, sightseeing was in full force, beginning with a short excursion from the hotel to Mount Precipice, alternately known as Mount of the Leap of the Lord. Situated slightly outside the city of Nazareth, the locals believe it is the place where Jesus escaped a crowd of ruffians that tried to push him over the edge. Though I was not familiar with the story, it is apparently mentioned in Luke 4:29-30, for those interested.

Middle EastLogan T. HansenMay 8, 2016travel, Israel, Nazareth, Mount Precipice, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II, Yardenit, Jordan River, Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Sermon on the MountComment

Israeli Days/Jordanian Nights: Day 4

We hit up two aesthetically-pleasing sites along the Israeli coast today. Stop number one was Caesarea, the ancient port established by Herod the Great, that little rascal who purportedly wanted baby Jesus dead so that he wouldn't be usurped as "King of the Jews" (obvs. things didn't quite work out like he'd hoped).

Middle EastLogan T. HansenMay 7, 2016travel, Israel, Haifa, Herod the Great, Caesarea, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mediterranean Sea, Pink Panther, Mount Carmel, Bahai Gardens, Bahai Faith, Bahaullah, Shrine of the BabComment

Israeli Days/Jordanian Nights: Day 3

The Museum of the Jewish People was the first thing on today's agenda. Notable among the exhibits focused around the Jewish Diaspora (in my opinion) was the section that covered Jews living on the African continent — perhaps something that wouldn't normally cross your mind.

Middle EastLogan T. HansenMay 6, 2016travel, Israel, Tel Aviv University, Museum of the Jewish People, Abba Kovner, Moshe Rosenthalis, Peres CenterComment

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