Three days in Petra, the first day to go into the old city and go to the Monastery and then day two is to walk from Little Petra to Petra. I’d read about this walk and knew that it would be challenging and at times the path was a bit vague but I thought I’d give it a go.

I followed the path in front of me for nearly two hours stopping from time to time to take in the scenery which is spectacular. You have to scramble over rocks and of course back down at times. I reached a small plateau where the path split and so I checked the map only to discover I was way off course. I could have followed the road that snakes around but I chose the more scenic route, so I thought, across the rocks.

I’d bitten of more than I could chew by going this way and ran into many dead ends and going through some dangerous terrain and all I wanted to do was get back to the main track.

Eventually I heard goats, and so I followed the noise and then I saw them below and finally managed to get down with a sense of relief.

I looked at my map again and found the track that I missed the first time and as it was still early I decided to give it a go. At first it was easy to follow and then became a bit vague. I was descending a steep section when I slipped slightly and my foot got caught in the rocks and the next thing I know I’m flying through the air, head over heels and landed on my back on the rocks below and my right ankle is not happy. I lie there for a bit assessing the damage. My phone is lying beside me and the cover screen is cracked. My ankle is not happy because I’ve twisted it when it got caught in the rocks, it’s not broken thankfully.. I’ve just twisted it but I’ve done a good job.

I gather my things and sit in the shade and reflect on the last few minutes and realise how stupid I’ve been, I should have just left when I was back in the main path because this walk is too much for me.

I eat and drink some water and then I have to find a way out because I cannot go back the way I came because its too high to climb back up. My ankle is complaining at every step but my boots are good and they help me. About an hour passed and then I hear the goats once again and as I go down into the valley I can see signs of life.

I stop and watch the procession of goats make there slow deliberate way down with all the confidence that I wished I possessed. Below a young girl calls to me and tells me to come down. A very slight young girl, dark skin and definitely a sight for sore eyes. She tells me to sit and asks me what happened.

She tells me that the drop of point for the bus is not far and she will take me there. Sitting down for that five minutes seems to have made my ankle worse or maybe its the adrenaline that has dissipated. I hobble slowly and my guide tells me that she is 21 and her name is Petra. She gives me a gift of a silver ring, not sure if that means I’m engaged.

A few hundred yards from the pick up point I stop and thank her for her help and kindness and as all foreigners do we part with some cash. I’m so glad that she helped me get back, I’m sure I would have worked it out but it was a nice experience to chat with a local and also to know that I was not alone.

I shared a taxi back to town and my hotel were good enough to organise a bandage and cream to put on my ankle and later helped me to order pizza.

I wrapped my ankle up in a towel that I soaked in cold water and then strapped it up. Initially I’d made it too tight so I did it again and went to bed. In the morning it seems that the swelling had reduced and I was able I hobble down for breakfast but I won’t be going too far today. I have some washing to pick up which I’m not sure at this stage when I’ll attempt that.

I was very lucky. I was also very stupid. I’m also very grateful that I’m still here and that I got away with only a twisted ankle, even though it’s painful.

Today I’ll be in my room. Tomorrow I’m going to the desert for two days and then I have three days in Aquaba before flying to Istanbul and so hopefully by then I’ll be able to get out and about again.