June 17 Petra and a Turkish Bath

Another incredible day on the books. Today Kris and I hiked into Petra again, this time going all the way up to the Monastery. This building is much larger than the treasury, but not as ornate. It is also quite a climb to get there, over 900 steps up! Well worth hiking uphill in the heat for this marvel though. As we headed back out of the Siq we stopped once again at the Treasury for one final look. I would have been happy to stay there for a long time, maybe because my feet hurt, maybe because I didn't want to hike back out of the Canyon, but I think the real reason was the awe that this place strikes in you. It is so incredible what these people did, and I was sad to no long get to see it with my own eyes. As we sat there looking at the place we also had a laugh at an ornery old camel that was there. The owner was insisting it give rides to tourists, but with each one it gave a loud complaining growl. Kris, who had been petting camels all day, went to pet it and nearly got his finger chomped off. I made a video of the noise they make. The camels are really cool.
We hike out and had a great authentic dinner in the town of Wadi Mussi at Al Arabi. I had a lamb kabob that was very good. I think Kris ate cat...(just kidding!) We then went to a Turkish Bath and I had quite the experience. While Kris was given swim trunks to wear, I was given a sheet. We sat in a steam room and got all sweaty. Occasionally a guy would come in and pour cold water on our heads. We were then led to a heated table where we laid down and put our feet up against the wall and had cool water poured on our foreheads. It felt really cool. Then back to the steam room to get all hot again before our 'Bath' I was taken to a separate room from the gents, and a lady from Cairo then proceeded to remove my sheet. Yes, I was naked as an adult woman in front of another woman for the first time in my life. Not and experience I am anxious to repeat. She gave me a good scrub and wash and massage and then I showered off and got dressed again. Kris is teasing me about my new girlfriend from Ciaro, and secretly wishing it was Jessica Alba: perve...