Today we went on a trip around western Jordan which included the babtisim site of Jesus, Mt. Nebo, and the famous mosaic which is thought to be the first map of the middle east. Our tour guide was Daud, and was the same one who we went to Petra with. It was kind of an awkward situation because a lot of people have been making fun of him lately because of his "twenty sick soldiers" joke (you have to hear the joke, it can't be written). So when we found out two days ago that he was goingt to be our guide, there was kind of an awkward silence. But he's a really nice guy. We started off this morning by Daud giving us a speech about how horrible the situation is in Lebanon because it effects the tourism industry. He tried to get Alex into an argument over the U.S.'s role in the whole thing, but Alex wouldn't give in.

According to certain evidence in the Bible and archaeological findings, they think that they have found the site on the Jordan known as Bethany, or also known as the place where Jesus was Baptized. The area in which it's located is extremly sensitive because it's on the border of Isreal. To get there we had to pick up a speacil gaurd who acompanied us into the sight, and then we had to get permission from the military to let us in. Once we got there, it was a long walk to the place that is where they think Jesus was Baptized which isn't actualy on the JOrdan River but a little ways off. Then we went to the actual Jordan river. The problem with the whole site is that once you cross the river, you're in a different country. So there is a place where a Jordanian soldier is standing on a deck that goes out looking onto the other side of the river where there are a lot of other people accompanied by Isreali soldiers all consintrating on this tiny river. The guard told us that we weren't aloud to talk to the people in Isreal. I found this all very ironic that a place that is key to the message of peace and brotherhood that Jesus taught is a military hot zone, pretending to be a tourist attraction.

We then went to Mt. Nebo where Mosses died. It was very nice, and so was the mosaic map we saw in Maddaba, but I pretty much just summed it up in a few sentences.

When we returned to Amman, we went a restaurant that was in a Bedouin tent but was really nice. The problem with the food here is that because it's so good, it's really horrible for you. I'm begining to realize that I'm going to come home with a few extra pounds even though I do a lot of walking around.

Tonight, a lot of people are firing of their guns into the air in celebration of getting their TOJEHE scores back today. The TOJEHE is kind of like the ACT and SAT except that if you don't get a 90 or higher you don't graduate from high school.

The place I'm writting this is a flea bag internet caffe which is a 5 minute walk from my appartment. It smells like smoke, and some guys are yelling at each other right now. I'm not sure about what but it's pretty commin over here for grown men to get into big arguments over little things, but in the end, everything is just fine.

-inshallla