Now where was I? Yes, after a very long trek (they said it was a 3 km.walk, good thing I had my sneakers on), I could see bright lights at the end of the trek, between two tall rocky walls. Our lecturer-cum-tourist guide, Dr. Adnan, excitedly told us to hold our breath for we had arrived! With my video camera in hand, I slowly walked through the narrow gap, heart thumping. Yes, it WAS dramatic, from dark, cool shadows to stark brightness opening up to a very spacious area, crowded with milling tourists and there before me was this imposing temple facade carved out of the rust-coloured sandstones, so tall and majestic! My imagination ran wild. . . I could imagine those people of yore bowing their covered heads or prostrating themselves before the building as they made their passage before it. And who in heavens' name would carve those tall pillars and the interior . . . well, seeing is believing. Even in the holy Quran, it was stated that there existed a civilization whereby the people were skilled in carving rock sites to be their homes. I hear that in parts of Turkey too, you can find such homes even to this day. Fancy that!
This is proof that we were there!
Looking out from between the pillars of the Temple. See the narrow, dark slit in the middle of the photo? That is the entrance to this amazing civilization.
Got to catch my breath, dear readers. So ma'a salaamah until we meet again, the drama continues :-)
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