Mahmoud

One of the reasons why this last trip to Jordan was such a rousing success was our guide Mahmoud, arranged through Petra Moon Travel.  Mahmoud is a professor in his own right, and Petra Moon calculated (correctly) that this would make him a perfect choice to lead two professors and fifteen university students around.  This was true not simply because of the depth of information that he brought to each day's excursion, but also because he understood students.  He'd give them some fascinating foundational information and then send them off running or climbing somewhere before joining up again.  Mahmoud was also funny and kind, and the students adored him (and a goodly number of them had a major crush on him). So, if you're thinking of heading to Jordan, definitely contact Petra Moon Travel, and most definitely ask for Mahmoud. Oh, and don't think about going to Jordan: go to Jordan.

Here's a picture that I snapped of Mahmoud during our camel ride through the Wadi Rum.  We ended up the tour in Petra, which was serendipitous because that's also Mahmoud's home town.  He glowed when we arrived and whenever he talked about his home.