Jordan

My reason for visiting Jordan was to experience the ancient city of Petra, famous for its stunning coloured rock formations and elaborate tombs carved out of the sandstone. I'm glad I scheduled two days to explore the site at a leisurely pace, hiking along dusty trails under a blazing sun.

Language is no problem and the locals are very friendly. Children on donkeys approach you, saying 'Taxi?' A Bedouin woman encouraged her preteen son to offer me a cigarette. I declined the smoke and the rides. I felt sorry for the poor donkeys, forced to lug hefty tourists up steep flights of rugged steps.

The riverbed in Petra is bone dry and the whole country is desperately in need of water. When the people are living in such poverty it's hard to be too judgemental about their treatment of animals. But if a camel is obviously struggling to kneel down under its heavy load, is it really necessary to keep thrashing its hind legs? In another disturbing incident I watched a horse just give up and refuse to go on. Unsteady on its feet, it let the carriage it was pulling roll back a few metres and collide with the canyon wall. Pushed and prodded, the horse was clearly in distress. But the passengers stayed put! I've heard of remaining with your vehicle after an accident in the desert, but this was ridiculous.

Maybe I'm too sensitive. I even regret terrifying the lizards that scamper out of my way. I know how they feel. I've survived crossing the street amongst the traffic in downtown Amman.