Cloud Hopping with Fadia Kader: Entry #004 : Two in One

Monday - 11/24 : Art Stroll
I went to Makhan House for a “Sound Performance” by an artist from Vancouver and also had the chance to check out Leena Saoub’s exhibit. I ran into 2 friends that I have been meaning to link up with. Serene and Basma are friends from M.A.S [Modern American School] , the school I went to while living in Jordan. It was so good to see them! Serene is an amazing photographer for JO magazine and Basma is an Art Director for Venture magazine. One thing I can say, is a lot of the people I have been reconnecting with have not changed much from when were younger, and that’s always a good thing.

Back to the Exhibit. Leena Saoub is an amazing Jordanian graphic designer and artist located in Dubai. I actually know Lena through my best friend Amira. It’s her cousin and its just so amazing to see someone that you grew up and played with is so accomplished. :) Gives the kid hope…….
Leena’s work is inspired by her surrounding, culture and the misconception and unjust treatment of women in our society.

Till then.. check out her work here: www.flickr.com/photos/fadiakader/sets/72157609937183763/

Sandflower

Friday - 11/28: Hiking Trip
I decided to go on a hiking trip, with a local cycling group. My sister was supposed to go with me, but was not feeling well. So I made the decision to do it alone. I knew I would enjoy it more, just to really have time to be alone with my thoughts, nature, and go on my own pace.

We all met up at 6am at the Safeway and hit the road at 7am. After a 3-hour drive, we started our hike down the mountains and into the Wadi [valley]. The information about the hike mentioned that it was a 25km hike, with valleys and water. There were about 60-70 people on the hike, and they should have put a fitness level warning on it. This was not a sightseeing nature walk clearly. It was very intensive and dangerous at some parts. Unlike other hiking spots in Jordan; this is a free zone: meaning there are no signs, no ropes, no guides, no warning of anything. I struck up some conversation with a few people, and we just stuck together all the way. We were the second group to make it to the end [ the first being a group that has done the hike before]. The rest of the people got stuck in the Wadi after dark and had to go get a bus to pick them up. A lady had to be carried halfway through cause she sprained her ankle multiple times… it was rough..

It was so amazing! The nature, the sounds, the breeze, and even the freezing cold water! Granted it was a shock when the water first hit, but it felt amazing to walk through after being on my feet walking, tripping and falling on loose rocks all day. I have a slight sprain, nothing that a little ice wont fix and a gang of bruises and rock marks on my legs… I think I have found the inner nature-person in me. I cant say that I didn’t enjoy it one bit, even the hardest parts. 6 hours of walking, and knowing that you cant stop and that you have to beat sun before it sets was very exciting. A combination of fear of the wadi at night ,the hyenas and the cold mixed in with the thrill of finishing such a long and strenuous hike.

After all the waiting for the other group to finish we all went to the Feynan Eco Lodge. An Adobe lodge built by the Bedouins [desert people] of the area. It’s powered by solar energy during the day and lit at night by candles made by the Bedouin women in the area. It was so serene and romantic.. Its not the easiest place to get to or out of!! Its pitch black, and when you look up in the sky you can seriously see all the stars in the sky. Some felt so close that you could touch them [ no joke!]. With a slightly sprained ankle, I had to use my blackberry light close to the ground to make sure I didn’t trip and fall and make a sprained ankle officially a broke foot.

I would do it again and again and again…It also helped to have some eye candy along the way.. and walking away with a hot date set with a gorgeous 6″5 Egyptian guy… *devlish smile* !!!! Hell.. he saw me at my worst and yuckiest in those circumstances.. it can only get better from here right?

Actually, when I go back to Atlanta I want to look into some Hiking clubs around the city and start doing it on a monthly basis! This time I will make sure to get a waterproof cover for my iPod.. since mine is officially fried!

Related Post: ‘Cloud Hopping’ with Fadia Kader, Cloud Hopping with Fadia Kader: Entry #001, Cloud Hopping with Fadia Kader: Entry #002 — I Did Not Vote, Cloud Hopping with Fadia Kader: Entry #003 — We Each Have Our Own.