We headed from -390 metres below sea level up over the mountains and back down the same desert highway we'd traversed earlier in the day. We passed tiny hamlets of shanty towns, camels wandering " home" as the sun began to lower in the sky. The desert colours changed to darker ochre colours, shadows grew longer and there was an abundance of workers travelling to their abodes, trucks trying to reach destinations before nightfall and families could be seen harvesting hay, rounding up their goats and sheep herds.
It was fascinating to observe as we trundled along in our coach.
We stopped at least twice at bazaar comfort spots on our return journey. Again people bought drinks and snacks, trinkets and clothing and we tested some Dead Sea salts that the bazaar owners insisted would remove our dead skin and make our flesh look and feel like that of a new baby. It did feel good at the time but I wasn't prepared to spend $50 on a jar (even though if we spent $50 we got a second jar free) Besides that I'd need to use the salts at least twice a week - where would I find the time? Then took when the jars ran out how would I get new supplies? Main reason I resisted is that I was not convinced that " what was promised" would happen and also growing old is inevitable, slowing down the progress can happen by eating and sleeping sensibly and exercising regularly.
At one bazaar stop I enjoyed talking with a Jordanian lass who spends her days creating intricate mosaic designs on wall hangings, coasters and other memorbillia for tourists. She offered to describe the process and even asked me to try and break a tiny chip of coloured stone for her creation. Try as I did I found it took all of my arm strength to crack the stone shard. Sulla made it look SO easy and effortless. She has a lovely smile and we discussed one of her designs which she named the 'Tree of Life'. I asked her what the tree of life meant to her and she explained that God as creator gives life to all of his creation. I told her I agreed that God is a wonderful creator who loves His creation and especially mankind. Sulla smiled and said God bless you. I greeted her with these words too and added, let's keep thanking and trusting in His love and caring for us. We talked for a while longer re her single status. Sulla wants to marry for love and not agree to an arranged marriage and since she is the youngest in the family she is not pressured to marry at the moment. She enjoys her job and is able to assist her parents financially and in practical ways so she is content to wait for the man of her choosing. I was surprised Sulla shared so openly be it at a whisper sound since her employers were never far from our side.
Some of the furniture was inlaid with pearly shell patterns. These are bought as wedding gifts and are highly prized and priced. I didn't dare sit at one of the coffee table and chair sets even though their cushions were covered in protective plastic. I wanted to know how comfortable they'd be.
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