The semester wasn’t complete simply because exams were done. My Cultural Backgrounds class still had one thing remaining: six days in Jordan. To better understand the culture of the Bible, we visited various Bedouin groups, since their culture most closely resembles that of the Bible. This was unlike any other field study I’ve ever done, and it was fantastic!
Departing early, we crossed the border and drove to the small village of Dana, south of the Dead Sea. We learned about making bread, milking a goat, and plowing. Then we sat back with a cup of tea while someone serenaded us with a musical instrument called a rabbaba.
Driving a little ways, we came to our accommodations for the night. Well, we could see them from the bus but it would be a hike or truck drive to get there: an encampment tucked away among the rocky terrain. I opted to hike (no surprise if you know me) while my luggage rode. We wandered around until sunset before sitting down for supper. Finally, we gathered in the main tent to look at maps and had the local guide tell us entertaining stories. Settling into bed, the trip had started off well.
