Live Like a Bedouin

Submitted by admin on Tue, 2010-12-21 14:11

Wadi Rum

Dig out the Zarb The Zarb is a whole goat or sheep cooked in a hole in the ground. The hole is a coal kiln in which a seasoned goat or sheep is buried there for hours until it is cooked. The Zarb is a special meal and is prepared for important guests.	Get a Bedouin Dagg (Tattoo) In the past, Bedouin women tattooed their faces for beautification. A modern form of Dagg can still be done using henna, which washes away in a few days. Artistic henna patterns can be drawn on hands, shoulders, and ankles.
Have a Bedouin Breakfast If you have wondered about the source of Bedouin stamina, then make sure you start your day with an authentic Bedouin breakfast. Bedouin breakfast usually consists of handmade delicacies of shrak bread, goat cheese, butter, and honey.	Have Dinner Dinner is an exceptional experience in Rum especially if accompanied by the tunes of the Bedouin Rababah or the Arabic Oud. The Bedouin songs can be cheerful or sorrowful, funny or serious. Less traditional camps might have DJ music accompanying dinner. Dinner options vary from barbeque and buffets to simple meals, depending on the camp.
Have Mansaf for Lunch Mansaf, the national dish of Jordan, is served in tents and campsites. Mansaf is made of lamb cooked in a broth of fermented dried yogurt and served with rice and bread. Mansaf is both a cultural experience and an adventure, especially if you try to master the art of eating with your hands. Tip: Always eat with your right hand.	Nabatean Traces The Nabateans who controlled the south of Jordan between the fifth century BC until the first century AD left traces of their civilization around Wadi Rum. The Nabatean Temple or Aretas IV Temple The temple is located within the slopes of Jabal Rum and testifies to a previous Nabeatean settlement in the area. This temple was built on the ruins of Allaat Temple of the A’d Tribe in the first century BC. Nabatean Reservoirs The Nabateans are the water engineers of the desert. If you look closely you can see the traces of narrow canals incised in the rocks to channel water seeping from the mountains to cisterns below. These reservoirs are located underground outside the protected area in Al Kharabsheh. Nabatean Inscriptions Nabatean inscriptions can be found in several locations. In Al Kharazeh area, an inscription mentions the name of Rabbil II (71-106 AD), the last Nabatean king. Nabatean inscriptions are more organized than Thamudic ones and are always written from right to left. Nabatean alphabets bear a close resemblance to Arabic alphabets.
Rest Tents Tents for guests to rest and take a break are scattered around Wadi Rum, especially near major attractions. These provide sanctuary from the heat of the day and usually come with a cup of spiced Arabic coffee or tea. The tents also sell Bedouin souvenirs.	Rum Gate Restaurant Treat your eyes to a breathtaking view of the mountains of Wadi Rum while having a meal at the Rum Gate Restaurant. The restaurant offers daily breakfast and lunch buffets with an assortment of traditional Jordanian dishes.
Sleep in a Tent Variety of camps and experiences are offered. From wild Bedouin camps with minimum facilities to luxury Bedouin-style campsites with facilities and entertainment. Link to Rum Directory.