<imgsrc="/2017/01/IMG_20170117_083551.jpg"alt="Golden dome, vibrant tiles, and elegant Arabic calligraphy"/>
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<h4>Golden dome, vibrant tiles, and elegant Arabic calligraphy</h4>
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<p>While not <em>technically</em> in Jordan, Jerusalem’s <ahref="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome_of_the_Rock">Dome of the Rock</a> is basically just a stone’s throw away from Amman (pun intended). Not only is this shrine capped with a golden dome, covered in vibrant Ottoman-era tilework, and adorned with elegant Arabic calligraphy, it also boasts an <ahref="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_Stone">impressive resume of sacred claims to fame</a>.</p>
<imgsrc="/2016/12/DSC_0029.JPG"alt="Petra's "monastery" basking in the golden light just before sunset"/>
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<h4>Petra's "monastery" basking in the golden light just before sunset</h4>
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<p>The <ahref="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nabataeans">Nabataeans</a> were a tribe who became filthy rich on the trade of frankincense, myrrh, and spices in the Arabian peninsula around 2,000 years ago. They built Petra as the capital of their flourishing civilization. Hauntingly beautiful stone facades standing one hundred meters tall are amazingly intact and well preserved to this day.</p>
<h2class="blog-post-title"><ahref="https://picturingjordan.com/2016/12/kanafeh-classy-palestinian-dessert/">Kanafeh: the Classy Palestinian Dessert</a></h2>
<imgsrc="/2016/12/IMG_20161127_212229.jpg"alt="A small portion of kanafeh at a restaurant in Amman"/>
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<h4>A small portion of kanafeh at a restaurant in Amman</h4>
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<p>I’m ashamed to say that it took me almost one month to discover this sweet, cheesy dessert after moving to Jordan. Originally from <ahref="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nablus">Nablus</a>, a Palestinian city apparently known for “high cuisine,”<ahref="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanafeh">kanafeh</a> is one of those things that they just can’t make fast enough. At one famous shop called Habibah in downtown Amman there is always a line, and it’s even a bit stressful ordering there unless you know what you’re doing!</p>
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