The clouds rush their way across the night sky, Trying to obscure the light of the moon, But the light wisps are too eager to fly To retain the celestial god’s boon. He watches over the town on the hill With its collection of twinkling lights, Recognizing that people live there still Who enjoy the sky’s smiling man’s delights. I sit across the valley on my ridge In a chair on the deck of my cabin With the evening as our only bridge Connecting the empty space in-between. Does the eternal round face even care That we know that he is up in the air?
With all of the movies and television shows coming out to Jordan to film, I can see how people would think that the country is nothing more than a vast dessert landscape. It surprises people when they find out that there is a little bit of diversity to the country, and one of the places that holds this feeling is just an hour drive north of Amman, a tiny resort called Mountain Breeze.
The resort feels more like something that could be found in the mountains of Colorado or Oregon rather than the dry desert landscape of Jordan. There are ten cabins that are comfortably situated on the hillside overlooking the valley below. They each have a big patio, comfortable beds, and nice bathroom. Most of the time, it only takes opening the windows of the cabin, and turning on the ceiling fan to keep them cool, but for on those hot summer days, each unit comes with air conditioning. They are also far enough away from each other to isolate the noise that can be created from other visitors to the resort.
Despite the restaurant, a poolside bar, and a full restaurant on the grounds of the resort, there are many other activities to while away any vacation day. There is a large playground for kids with many swings and things to climb on. They have a paintball arena, and a place to show your ability at archery. You could always choose to relax next to the pool, or dip into the water if things get a little too warm. Mountain Breeze even boasts having a conference room that could easily be converted into a ballroom for your business or marriage needs. Considering that there are only ten cabins on the grounds, none of these places feel very busy, even though for 30JD people can come up from Amman and use the facilities during the day.
If you feel a little adventurous, you can take the quick stroll down to the 500 year old tree where they built a treehouse. The hike itself is not long, taking about only ten to fifteen minutes to get down to the tree. The walk is all downhill, so it does take a little longer to get back, but the end of the voyage is the pool, so a dip in the cool water can always be used as an incentive. The treehouse itself is a nice place for a reprieve. When we went, we were down there by ourselves, and there were plenty of places where we could have picnicked or just sat under the tree to read a book.
Mountain Breeze plays up the American feel of being out in the mountains by adding things like a animal petting park that includes chickens, roosters, and ponies. They even have fire pits out in front of each of the cabins where they will light a fire for you and supply you with a bag of marshmallows. I was a little disappointed that they did not also include graham crackers and chocolate so I could enjoy the whole s’mores experience, but it was still fun to roast marshmallows around a campfire.
The place also boasts a bunch of cats that roam all over the grounds as well. They are wild cats, but like all cats in Jordan, they are also friendly. Of course, you will have to keep a close eye on your food because they will take any opportunity to sneak a bite if you happen to look away, but they also supply great moments while staying at the resort. One night while sitting in the bar, a mother cat kept bringing her baby kittens over to us to show them off. We thought she might be trying to pass them off to us, but when we came over to pet them, she got defensive. It made for a very entertaining evening.
Mountain Breeze is one of those hidden gems that I am surprised took me so long to find while living out here. It is the perfect getaway if you are living in the country because it is dramatically different enough from any other place in the country that it makes you feel like you are no longer in the country. It is also a great place to visit if you are traveling around the country. It is placed nicely in-between a lot of the more exciting places in Jordan that it would make the perfect home base if you found yourself in the region. I loved my time at Mountain Breeze and I hope to make it back out there again before I leave the country.
It feels as if summer has just begun, And I am already hearing whispers Of shorter days and a cold fading sun When the air nibbles a little crisper. I do not wish to stay outside as long, At least not without a fluffy sweater, For the north wind blows a little too strong, And next to a wood stove would feel better. There’s something about the change in the air That makes me feel a wee bit nostalgic For a time when I did not have a care, And joy was based upon youthful logic. I do not know which days I long for more Because both are a shutting of a door.
I need to leave the world I know behind And though it is only for a short time, Upon my return, I will start to find That I do not come back to the same clime. Though it may appear vey much the same, I will discover when I dig deeper That a friend will have a new face and name, And the happening place, now’s a sleeper. What became of this place while I was gone? Who is responsible for all the change? Will I always long for the days of yon When the place I came from was not so strange? My fate at my home is to be alone When I am the one who has never grown.
Have we lost all originality? Can we no longer tell a new story? You create what you think we want to see, A re-skinning of an old property. When that does not draw in the wanted crowd, You will just go with the trusted sequel, A watered down original, but proud, That will get all the fan boys to squeal. It is our money that you want to grab, And you do not care about the true art. Instead of taking a creative stab, You keep churning out the crap without heart. Do not claim it’s the death of the theater When you put out another repeater.
This is the last time we will wind the clock, And we can watch it tick down ’til it stops. The face reports the final time in lock Being one of remembrance’s props. Until that moment, we’ll ignore the tick That reminds us of the limited time. Instead, we will play on our ears, a trick Of covering sound with a happy chime. No matter how much noise that we can make, The reminder will hover in our mind Because time holds all the power to take, Leaving only out memories behind. Let’s make the most out of each passing tock By not paying attention to that clock.
The afternoon is starting to wind down As the sun gets reflected in the pond, Dancing off, its sparkles will never drown Until it sets, breaking its final bond. I find a park bench somewhere in the shade Where I open up the weight of a story, Losing myself in the action that’s played, Consuming its theme in all its glory. Couples holding hands enjoy their own tale, Believing the curtain will never close. I hope that the comedy will prevail Just as the breeze over the still pond blows. You could not ask for a more perfect night, The ones filled with a summer-like delight.
I know we are off the beaten path, But we make sure the busses come here, For we are the forgotten who do not hath In the sacred place the world holds so dear. Our hope is to tap into your pity, So you might part with a single dinar That will help with the growth of our city From the weight of recent history’s scar. You get to walk away with a trinket That will remind you of your vacation, And with payment there is food I will get That will cure my family’s starvation. Do not look at my excessive stomach; My living is finding the one to take.
Life is busy on top of the mountain As we take care of work and family. I can not take in the sights I have seen Because my duties do not make me free. But I will travel down that windy road That will remove me from my place up high, Then I can discard this burdensome load That me to this rocky top, it does tie. I will make my way down below the sea Where the sun peeks out underneath the clouds. There I’ll find a different way to be That releases me from the hectic crowds. It’s a day of restful relaxation When we take the Labor Day vacation.
We have always known how to tame this land Though few can handle its brutality. We share its beauty with a gracious hand, But understand of its fragility. On our camels, We’ll guide you through its sand To marvel at its protruding mountains, And at night, what you witness is so grand, The canvas of sky, the light of star stains. There are those who would like to see us banned For they have found value with where we live. For our old lifestyle, we must take a stand, And we can save what they want us to give. History tells us that we will not win, Marking the passing of the Bedouin.
John Collings 