In which Zach joins the Anglican Church in a trip to Um ar-Rasas, a UNESCO-certified tourist spot in central Jordan that showcases ruins from both Romans and Byzantines, as well as one of the world’s most spectacular ancient mosaics.

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In which Zach offers a fairly critical ‘mini-review’ of the Movenpick hotel and resort on the Dead Sea, but enjoys the mud and salt water for the second time. He shows the the Jordanian holy sites to his parents and has time to take his father to the EGT vocational training site, too.

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In which Zach and his visiting family visit Bethlehem. Most famous of course for the birthplace of Christ in the Church of the Nativity, but just as moving for Zach for the presence of the Separation Wall winding like a fat concrete snake through the city.

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In which Zach, his family, and a fellow choir family journey “across the river” to the mysterious and oft-violent land of Palestine/Israel. As immortalized in the Lebanese singer Fairouz’s song “The Flower of the Cities,” Jerusalem is a beautiful but fragile treasure of history and mystery that has flowered for millenia – and hopefully more to come.

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In which Zach welcomes his parents to The Jordan and spends the first week of travels with them in the eastern and southern deserts, exploring castles, Petra, Wadi Rum, and Wadi Dhana, meeting many new friendly people and drinking more tea than anyone thought possible

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In which Zach has a chance to escort three friends (2 foreigner, one native) down to the Wadi Rum desert for an overnight trip of camping, “sandboarding” and hiking.

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