Spent a fascinating day looking through the ruins at Umm Qais. The day included lunch on the terrace with a view of the Golan Heights, Israel, and the Sea of Galilee. The only negative was distant “thuds” from Syria.

I’m including one photo of the ruins to give a feel for the place – a picture of a black basalt column with two marble pillars in the distance. Umm Qais is a fascinating combination of black basalt and white limestone and marble that creates a unique mosaic feel. But mostly I’m taking pictures of the vegetation. This is the end of the rainy season, and everything is green and in bloom – including cactus and thistles. Not what most people expect when they think of Jordan.