Ron Rook’s Trip to Jordan July 2009 Click Mouse to Advance Slides

Portrait of former King Hussein of Jordan (now deceased)

Portrait of former King Hussein of Jordan (on the left) and his son – who is the current King (King Abdullah II)

King Abdullah II and his Family

Jordanian Flags in Downtown Amman, Jordan

Street Sign in Downtown Amman, Jordan

US Delegation’s Hotel

Group Photo of all the participants in the WMD Interdiction and Border Security Workshop

Admiral Payne and Ron Rook Co-Leaders of the Interdiction and Border Security Workshop

General Al - Maiteh making Opening Remarks for the Workshop.

Jordanian Officer leading discussion during the Workshop

Admiral Payne, General Al - Miatia, Ron Rook, and other participants listening to the first presentation at the Workshop

U.S. Officer leading discussion during Workshop -- which was being given to help Jordan be able to mitigate the circumstances of a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) attack

Jordanian participants were from various Jordan military services and civilian agencies

General Al – Maiteh and Admiral Payne

General Al – Maiteh Admiral Payne, and Ron Rook

Jordanians brought a cake to celebrate completion of the Workshop

Traveling to the Dead Sea

Rules for Swimming in the Dead Sea

Water in the Dead Sea is very thick, and it is difficult to sink underwater

Awesome view of the Dead Sea!

Traveling to the place where Jesus was Baptized

Jesus was actually Baptized in this small spring, rather than the Jordan River – which is just beyond the tree line

The spring water was quite warm on this July day

The Jordanians are rebuilding the church that was originally built in front of the small spring to commemorate the Baptismal of Jesus

Left to Right: Admiral Payne, Dianna Blair, Ron Rook (COL USMC Retired) LTCOL Brewer, COL Hill, and Captain Greene (Retired)

Traveling to the Holy Land

Awesome view of Jerusalem

Catholic Mass being conducted in the Holy Land

This is the “Wailing” Wall in the Holy Land

The Wailing Wall attracts visitors from around the World!

Washing of feet is a tradition in the Middle East, and Drinking Tea

Ruins from the Citadel built by the Romans in Amman Jordan about 2000 years ago

Jordanian children enjoying the sites at the Citadel in Amman, Jordan

Roman Coliseum in Amman, Jordan

Romans were experts at building Coliseums

The acoustics are so perfect that the person standing in the front can talk in a normal voice and it will be carried throughout the coliseum – no need for speakers!

More Ruins from the Citadel built by the Romans in Amman Jordan about 2000 years ago

More Ruins from the Citadel built by the Romans in Amman Jordan about 2000 years ago

Water was fed into this from a nearby basin

Ruins from the Citadel built by the Romans in Amman Jordan about 2000 years ago

Ruins from Jerash -- built by the Romans in Amman Jordan about 2000 years ago

Bagpipes at Jerash

More Ruins from Jerash built by the Romans in Amman Jordan about 2000 years ago

Was AWESOME to just be in the presence of these Ruins!

Walking among the Ruins from Jerash built by the Romans in Amman Jordan about 2000 years ago

Romans used to conduct Parades down this crude roadway

This is how the Romans constructed “manholes” 2000 years ago

Young Jordanian Couple – who gave permission for their picture to be taken

More Ruins from Jerash by the Romans in Amman Jordan about 2000 years ago

Mount Nebo where Moses was held up and forbidden from going into the Promise Land

Crevices leading into the Petra

More Crevices that lead into the carved out buildings at Petra

Ruins from Petra -- built by the Romans in Amman Jordan about 2000 years ago (this is actually just a carving into the mountain, and only goes a few feet inwards – was merely for show – not an actual construction for living or working)

Camels provide transportation to all the sites in Petra

Not exactly like riding a horse!

Another view of the carved out building in Petra

Restaurant we went to while in Amman, Jordan (Reem Al Bawadi is the name of the Restaurant)

Great food and friends!

Ron Rook and Col Hussein (Jordanian Army)

Great Cuisine!

Ron Rook enjoying some hot tea with a Jordanian

Click Here to Return to the Main Page Hope to see everyone at the 45th Reunion! Be there and be ready to “Rock & Roll”!!! Ron (Ronnie) Rook Click Here to Return to the Main Page