I wrote earlier about exploring the Wadi Rum in Jordan and how much fun it was to ride around in the back of a pickup truck and admire the magnificence of the landscape of this unique spot in the Middle East, at a crossroads between Asia and Africa. What made that day even better was how it ended that evening: over-nighting in the Wadi Rum in a Bedouin camp under the stars!
We stayed at a Captain’s Desert Camp camp, I am not really sure where exactly in the Wadi Rum, somewhere surrounded by the giant rock formations typical of the Wadi Rum, if that helps any… The camp was mostly candle-lit at night and the night consisted of enjoying our dinner outdoors, listening to Bedouin music, some dancing, and a lot of star-gazing up above. It was a wonderful experience.
The camp was separated from the area around it with screens and simple structures that seem easy to put up and bring down as needed, perhaps influenced by the nomadic tradition. The tents we were staying in were spacious and just had the beds – nothing fancy. The camp had bathroom and shower facilities that, though basic, were not too basic (says he who went a week without showering going up Kilimanjaro…).
In any case, it was the evening activities under the stars that made the night so memorable for me. The night started with music and a demonstration of Bedouin bread (or “shrak“) making.
Then it came time to get the food out: the meats and vegetables were cooked covered up and underground and it was a little production to get it out and served.
No pictures of dinner itself as this traveler was starving and eating -not my blogging- became the focus. My apologies 🙂 Suffice it to say it was as delicious -or more- as it looks. The seating was leisurely – you truly feel like a ruler of an empire leaning back with your plate of food…
I close with a picture from the next morning of the comfy area (with its great backdrop) where we had listened to the music by the campfire and had enjoyed our dinner under stars in the amazing Wadi Rum – an experience not to be missed during a trip to Jordan!
Is that a soccer ball in the background? What is a hookah pipe? What an amazing experience! Food looks delicious.
Good eye, Kitty! Yes, that is a soccer ball. The hookak pipe burns tobacco, usually fruit-flavored. The bottom is a glass “vase” and the burning coal goes at the very top near the tobacco. Don’t ask me how it happens to work but when the person inhales (like when people smoke a cigarette), the water bubbles pulling air in from the outside and that air goes up through the tobacco through the long curvy pipe to the smoker’s mouth. I have tried them before but not on this trip as I had a cold!
That really looks amazing. I didn’t expect the food to look so good, being buried like that. Did it taste okay? Did their way of cooking it make a difference on the taste? By the way, I would love to stay in that camp on a full moon night!
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@Freya, the hole seemed to be lined with a metal sheet which may help with the cooking so no odd flavors at all. It was almost like grilling the food in my opinion. Thanks for the questions!
Wow – it sounds out of this world amazing! I can only imagine how magic it was to sit out there, under the stars! Brilliant. Don’t blame you for gobbling up the food – bet it tasted divine too!
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Live music, buried food, and sleeping in a desert? Yes please! Wadi Rum is unlike any place I’ve ever been to before, and I can’t wait until I can see it someday. Awesome!
Heather recently posted..How to Cook Without English
Sleeping in the desert is definitely on my bucket list – what an amazing experience Raul, you’re one fortunate guy!
Fiona recently posted..Britain’s Original Rock and Roll Isle: Eel Pie Island
After seeing you attack the Chicago pizza, I know how you get when you are ready to eat, so I understand the lack of dinner pictures. Can’t beat a night in the desert listening to music, talking, and eating. Looks amazing!
Traveling Ted recently posted..A Joshua Tree National Park roadside adventure
This was such a great night! I didn’t even mind that I slept in a tent and took a cold shower. I’m so happy to have shared it with you.
Leah Travels recently posted..Hello, Dalí: Visiting Salvador’s Spanish Home
This sounds like a great way to spend an evening!
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted..A lovely weekend in Lyon, France
The food looked great! Though I prefer my luxe stays, this seems like it was an incredible experience!
Raul,
I have heard about the underground ovens in many parts of the world. This one is an interesting variation.
Beautiful eat in Wadi Rum