On Tuesday - we stopped by the mall to do some grocery shopping (the City Mall has the largest grocery store also). And we also went to Mukawir (where John the Baptist died). Mukawir is one of my favorite places here in Jordan. Here are some picture highlights of the day:
While Sue, Morgan, and Emily did the grocery shopping, Ali and I went looking for Starbucks! This is the City Mall - a newer mall in Amman. Very Americanized in some ways, but totally Middle Eastern in other ways... Every public building you enter here (it seems) - you walk through a metal dectector. I wonder how long until that happens at home... ???
Mission Accomplished. I think Starbucks is the most "Americanized" environment in all of Jordan (if it weren't for the menu board being in English and Arabic - you wouldn't guess you were in Jordan). Many places are a mix of Western and Middle Eastern, but Starbucks has their "brand" and they keep it the same wherever they are in the world. And I'm not a huge fan of the local coffee - so Starbucks was a huge hit with me. It tastes just like it does in Rochester! I think I found it 3 times during our month here.
Then it was off to Mukawir. Mukawir was another palace of King Herod. It is here at Salome danced for King Herod. You can read the entire story HERE. It really is an incredible story - worth reading!
Herod loved to build palaces that could also serve as fortresses. This was no exception. It is quite a climb from any direction. Here are the girls taking a break on the way up... It was a VERY hot day. One of the hottest we experienced in Amman. While we were here, Obama was speaking at the Citadel (where we visited our first day).
You can see the Dead Sea in the background. It is a beautiful view up there.
According to the first-century historian, Josephus, it was here at Mukawir that Salome danced for King Herod. The Bible tells us that Herod had married his brothers' wife Herodias, in an act forbidden uner Jewish law (Leviticus 18:16); when he was publicaly accused of adultery by John, Herod had him arrested and imprisoned. Yet - according to Mark 6:20 Herod loved to listen to John too. In fact, while Herod was having a birthday party here at Mukawir (Mark 6:21), he was so impressed by Salome's dancing (it was his step-daughter) that he promised her anything she wanted (Mark 6:22-23). Where the girls are standing is right inside that palace next to the dance floor (although not original anymore). Herodias, who hated John (Mark 6:19) took her opportunity and asked for John's head on a platter. And Herod didn't want to break his promise in front of his guests (Mark 6:26-28) and so he had John beheaded.

The reason we climbed the side of the hill was to find John's cave. They think this was the cave where he
was kept prisoner because of the doorway. If you look over Morgan's shoulder - you can see that it was built to hold a door. Why would you build a door onto a cave? This probably was John's prison. This is most likely where John died (Mark 6:27).
We decided to take the easy way down (a road has been added to make the climb more possible). One other thing I LOVE about this story is Jesus' reaction to it. Mark doesn't record it, but Matthew does. When Jesus hears the news, Matthew tells us that he withdrew to be alone (Matthew 14:12-13). John was the forerunner of Jesus (Matthew 11:10) and now - his mission was accomplished. Jesus had no higher words for another human being than his cousin, John the Baptist (Matthew 11:7-15). I image the death of John was a sad, sad day for Jesus.
While driving back to Amman - we herd of goats were crossing the road. Here is a Bedouin shepherd with his goats. You can see the Dead Sea in the background and Mukawir on the left.
Today (Wednesday) was a day of laundry, packing, a quick trip out for lunch, ice cream and final shopping. Tomorrow (Thursday) - we leave at 12:25 PM and arrive at Rochester Thursday night at midnight (7:00 AM Amman time).
We have LOVED our trip here, but it is always good to go home! Thanks for following along through this trip. Your words have been incredibly encouraging!
























































































