Above is a view of the valley from the steps leading to the al Deir Monastery

This is the Petra Valley seen from the steps to the Monastery. The rock formations are incredible.

To the left is a young Bedouin who helps travelers like the one to the right find their way to al Deir.

Today most of the Bedouin people who once lived in the area of the ancient city have been relocated to houses provided by the Jordanian government. They now earn a living by serving the thousands of tourists that visit Petra every year. Efforts to protect Petra and its artifacts continue at a high level even as tourism grows at a steady pace and excavations uncover more of the long-lost city. It was one of the late King Hussein's goals that the natural beauty of Petra be preserved for future generations.

And if you make the effort to climb to the top...

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