Our second day in Petra we hiked up the 752 steps to the Monastery which is another huge fascade in the rock. It’s well worth the effort and of the tourists that decide to make the trip almost all take pictures then head back without much pause. But Steve isn’t just any other tourist; he wants his picture at the top next to the urn. He casually walked around the No Climbing sign when others are distracted. I stayed on the bottom to drink my soda and because someone has to take the pictures. A short time later I see him sneak out on the top ledge then hide. Minutes later I see him scamper from behind one ledge to the next like a duck in a duck hunt. He repeats this dance a few times before I release he’s trying to take pictures at the top using the timer on the camera while trying to avoid being caught. Unfortunately one of the locals caught site of him during his last pass and warns me that he should come down before the police finds him and takes him away. There’s nothing I can do so I just nod and return the look of stern agreement. Bad Steve, but good picture.

-Mary

Editor’s Note: I actually was never close enough to read the words on the sign. I cut a path far from the sign and up a slightly more dangerous hill so I could truthfully say “sign, what sign?” It worked out in the end. Mary took all the heat and nobody said a word to me. Heh. Of course, all I get for my efforts is this silly picture of the urn on top.