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<img src="https://picturingjordan.com/2016/10/IMG_20161002_131313.jpg" alt="A picturesque view where you can&#39;t see the trash on the beach" />
<p>I&rsquo;m struggling to find words to describe my trip to Jordan&rsquo;s coastal city Aqaba. Initially, the contrast between dry desert, rocky mountains, and the turquoise water of the Red Sea is quite striking—imagine Matt Damon in <em>The Martian</em>, but where he goes snorkeling on a coral reef instead of growing potatoes.</p>
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<p>If that sounds too good to be true, it is! Sadly, I found Aqaba to be dirty—used diapers on the beach, locals arrogantly throwing trash on the street, trash floating around the reef, etc—and full of obnoxious, poorly behaved tourists.</p></description>