Riding under the Sea level

Shalom! (שלום Hello in Hebrew)

 

세계인의 축제 월드컵 시즌이네요.

우리의 자랑스러운 태극전사가 16강까지 멋지게 해내는 모습 모두 잘 보셨는지요?

저도 자전거로 지구를 배회 중이지만 우리나라 경기만큼은 노치지 않고 잘 보았답니다.

 

그리스와의 첫 경기를 시리아 다마스쿠스에서 보고 즐거운 마음으로 출발해

아르헨티나에게 깨지는 모습은 요르단 암만의 대사관에서 많은 교민들과 같이하고

나이지리아와 비겨 당당히 16강에 올라간 것은 이스라엘의 예루살렘에서

올 월드컵 우리나라의 마지막 경기가 됐던 우루과이와의 경기는 다시 암만으로 돌아와서 보게 되었습니다.

월드컵 핑계로 교민이 몰려 있는 지역 순회하는 재미도 쏠쏠했는데 더 이상 경기가 없어서 아쉬움이 크네요.

월드컵은 월드컵이고 다시 여행으로 돌아와서..

저는 중동지역에 산이 이렇게 많은 줄 정말 몰랐습니다.

터키 떠나면 덥기만 하지 산은 없을 줄 알았는데 다마스쿠스부터 암만까지도 쉽지 않았고

예루살렘까지는 장난이 아니었거든요.

산은 올라간다 쳐도 무슨 사해의 호면은 해수면 마이너스 400m까지 내려간답니까?

지구상에서 가장 높은 점이 에베레스트 산이라면 가장 낮은 점이 사해라는 것을 여기 와서 처음 알았어요.

암만이 해발 1000m 정도 되고, 사해가 -400m, 다시 예루살렘이 1000m 가까이 됩니다.

요르단과 이스라엘 사이에 있는 요르단 계곡(요단강)을 넘어 예루살렘까지 가는 길이

자전거 여행의 4박자가 모두 맞지 않아 가장 지금까지 가장 힘들었던 구간으로 꼽혀요.

1. 덥기는 정말 더운데다 햇빛 피할 그늘도 없고

2. 지중해에서 불어오는 강풍 때문에 앞으로 나가기는 힘들고

3. 해수면 -400m에서 +1000m까지 급경사로 올라가기에 자전거를 끌어야 하고

4. 물가 비싼 나라인데다 사막이라 식수 구하기 힘들뿐더러 무슨 생수 값이 양주 값이고..

 

그래도 어쨌거나 여리고, 예루살렘, 베들레헴을 들려 다시 요르단으로 몸성히는 아니지만

살아서 돌아왔습니다.

예루살렘에서 사해로 다시 내려오는 길은 반대로 급 하강에 바람도 뒤에서 불고해서 속도 내기 딱 좋죠.

그래서 자전거로 최고시속 84km를 찍었습니다.ㅋ

그런데 방심은 금물!

길도 잘 깔려서 같이 여행하는 동생과 얘기하면서 반은 뒤를 보며 달리는데

동생이 형! 하는 순간 뭔가 하고 앞을 바라보니 이미 늦었고 “꽈광” 하는 소리와 함께

자전거가 공중에서 한 바퀴 돌면서 저는 아스팔트와 딥키스를 하였습니다.

페니어(가방) 뜯겨 나가고 카메라 가방 저기 가있고 어께에선 피나고 손톱 하나 나가고..

쯔쯔쯔.. 쌤통입니다.

3년 동안 사고 한 번도 나지 않았다고 방심하고 있던 제게 더 큰 사고를 막기 위한 교훈이었다고 생각해요.

 

상처가 크게 나지는 않았지만 원래 계획대로 해수면 400m 밑인 사해 타고 이집트로 가면

상처가 덧나기 쉬울 것 같아 다시 해발 1000m로 시원한 암만으로 돌아가서

상처 아물 때 동안 조금 쉬었다 가기로 했습니다.

그래서 암만으로 돌아와 충분히 쉬었고 딱지도 바삭바삭하게 붙어서 이제 다시 떠날 때가 되었네요.

내일이면 다시 사해로 내려가 페트라 유적지와 와디 룸을 지나 이스라엘 남부 조금 하고 이집트로 들어갑니다.

 

요르단 이스라엘(팔레스타인)을 여행하면서 여러모로 큰 도움 주신

요르단 한인교회 김영섭 목사님, 이규자 사모님, 이수민 집사님, 조상재형님, 윤영기형님,

요르단 왕국 신봉길 대사님, 예루살렘 대장금 사장님, 요르단 연구원 정향현 Sis,

요대의 은희, 민영, 미강, 설희 Sisters, 준호, 주안, 주희, 강민이.. 쑈오크란!!!

 

그럼 나머지는 사진으로..^^

 

 

We left Damascus after watching the worldcup match Korea vs Greece.




back to the street life.




On the highway to jordan it's hard to find a shop.




We asked one family just for a cup of water but they gave us a full meal.




Shokran!




Syrian-Jordanian border crossing. We had to pay 500 SYP(11US$) Exit Fee.




Welcome to Jordan.




It was late so we asked the next shop after border for a space to camp.
"Do what you want guys! Here is safe." He spoke english very good.

After put our tent next man came and asked us to sleep in his home.
Thanks, but it's to late.




Next morning we found one very busy shop.
Please give us the same like last customer.




Falafel & Hummus
Must be jordanians favorite dish.




Start riding to the south.





But it's to hot.
So we look after any shadow and take a nap.





Try to ride again at 4 pm but still to hot.




while sitting under the tree one farmer invited us for a chay.





It was my best chay ever! with lot of strange leaves and mint.




The farm where we were sitting belonged to a church and some nuns invited us to have a look around the farm.




after tasting home made cheese and olives.








At 7 pm when the sun is almost down than its ok to ride.
Heading to Amman, the capital of Jordan.




We like to ride at night.




We arrived in Jerash and camped next to a supermarket.
It was a camping place with full option.
A rooftop which protect us from the sunlight like laser and with a water tap to wash.




And of course the hospitality of the owner.
Nice people everywhere.




the road to amman goes up and down several times.
Mostly up. We're now in 250m altitude and Amman is on 1000m altitude.




Local bread with korean spice paste for lunch.




Arrival in Amman.




I can understand why the people live here in the hilly mountains.
In lower altitude is hard to breath in the mid summer.




We found a church with lot of people.
They say they will watch the North Korean vs Brasil match tonight.




and provided us a room to sleep.




North Korea loosed but it was a good game.
after the match we met a korean pastor.




Pastor Joshua Kim.
The koreans have sunday service on friday here in the same church.




He invited us to his home for breakfast next morning.




and asked us if we have a place to sleep.
we said no.




he gave us a full furnitured empty apartment to stay as long as we want.




16. June was KJ's birthday so I could cook for him in our new apartment.




Mrs Lee, Pastor Kim's wife cooked also the seaweed soup for KJ.
It's a korean tradition to eat seaweed soup at one's birthday. Otherwise he wouldn't gain a year.




The game against Argentina, we watched with other korean fans in the korean embassy in Jordan.




The ambassador invited us for a big dinner.




and went together to watch a documentary film about the refugees from Iraq in open air.




Sharing my travel experience with the sunday school kids.




There are not so many koreans in Amman but we met all of the nice koreans in jordanian capital.




















now is time to say goodbye.




We left Amman city at night, because the border with Israle is just 40km far away from Amman just down in the valley.
It's not worth to ride at daytime under the laserbeam.




Camping at the border.




woke up at 7am and do the steps to cross the King Hussain Bridge.




It was 2pm when we could leave the border.
On the Israel side we had to wait many hours.
They asked me why I have been in Pakistan, Iran, Syria...etc.
because it's a world journey.




In the next city Jerico,which is located near the Jordan River in the West Bank of the Palestinian Territories,
we changed 20 Jordanian Dinar and got 106 Israeli Shekel. (about 28 US$)
Can we use it for 4 days in Israel? Let's try.




Our lunch was already 10 Shekel each. Maybe it's impossible.





Jericho was captured from Jordan by Israel during the Six-Day War of 1967 along with the rest of the West Bank.
So the inhabitants are all Palestinians.
We met Rami in one store in Jericho. We just bought one bottle of coke but he gave us more than a drink.
Chay, sandwich and lot of stories.  He is a very nice guy but he had to spend more than 6 years in jail
and can't move out of the city anymore. His Uncle and cousin as well. Because they fought for the independence.




Greek Orthodox Monastery of Temptation overlooking modern Jericho.




At night we were heading to Jerusalem and slept close to the highway.
As soon as the sun comes out the temperature in the tent is like oven.
so I hide me behind the tent's shadow and enjoy the oversleeping.




From Jericho to Jerusalem is just up hill, from -200m to +1000m altitude. And we couldn't find any shop on the road.
One gas station were selling 1.5l water bottle for 11 Shekel(about 3 US$).
So I put out my new filter pump which I got from french guys.
Thank Hubert and Karim I became a wizard, making tap water to drinking water.
I thought I'll unvail my new filter in Africa not in such a developed country.




Strong mediteranian wind from front, sunlight coming from above and up hill without end with limited water.
Doesn't it sound nice?




and finally we reached Jerusalem.




The West Bank-Jerusalem border is strictly protected.




That night was holding an important game for korean football team. The game against Nigeria.




We found a korean reastaurand Dae-Jang-Gum close to Ben Yehuda Rd.




We just asked if we could watch the match tonight and the familin Yang treated us well.
That day was hold the ceremony to open the restaurant and all things was free. We're lucky bikers.




The tied game with Nigeria brought korean team to the 16th.
After that we felt relief and could concentrate on our tour.

Jerusalem old city.




Men with jewish hats.




We could camp on the rooftop next to the old city wall.





Hide myself under the shadow in the morning




For me it's marvelous that the places, what I saw in the bible, realy exist.
Now let's go to Bethlehem where Jesus is born.




wo wo wo, what is this?
A big wall between Jerusalem and Bethlehem,
because Bethlehem is on the West Bank side.



In palestine side there are lot of messages on the wall written.











an old french car with palestinian number plate.




The Church of Nativity (예수 탄생 교회)
Bigger than I thought and it's for free! =)




















even Bethlehem is hilly area.
Shopping in Bethlehem before going back to Jerusalem.
There is a big price difference.




Now KJ can patch his puncher by himself.




Back to Jerusalem



the Wailing Wall




is an important Jewish religious site located in the Old City.




Going from Jewish Quarter to Islamic Quarter.




The Via Dolorosa (Latin for Way of Grief or Way of Suffering) is a street, in two parts, within the Old City of Jerusalem,
held to be the path that Jesus walked, carrying his cross, on the way to his crucifixion.




Statopm 3
where Jesus fell for the first time under the weight of his cross.




We both are not such a sightseeing fan. so enough Jerusalem.

"KJ, here the pizza's are 10 Shekel each. How much Shekel have we left?"
"20 Sheckel."

We ALL INed our 20 Seckel to our two slice of pizza.




The forth day is our last day in Israel.
After visiting the Dead Sea we will cross the border to Jordan and head to Petra.




Enjoying the downhill 100%.




KJ : Wow, my maximum speed was 81km/h!!
Charlie : Mine 84km/h!
KJ : Watch out!

But it was to late, Charlie was already kissing with the asphalt.




With a crash my whole bicycle turned one circle in the air
The panniers were flighing out of the rack and I was lying on the road.

What was it?




A block of wood was on the road.




Ouch.




My camera equipments. ㅜ.ㅠ




Such a puncher on both wheels.




and the wheel has an big 8. (or is rolling like a chips)




We solved the problem with emergency kit and spare parts.




Can you belive that there is a man who had an accident 1 hour ago?




Now we are below the Sea level.
It's burning like hell.




because my wound we didn't went to Dead Sea. There is a way to much salt.




We made it to stay in Israel 4 days with just 106 Shekel. (28$)

But at the border a bad news was waiting for us.
Everyone has to pay for an exit fee 167.5 Shekel! for two 335 Shekel. (95$)
which is triple more then what we spent in the country.




Crossing the King Hussain Bridge over Jordan River.




The wound on my arm got much worse at night.
So we changed our plan to go back to Amman.




We just called Pastor Kim that we're going back to Amman
but a korean cuisine was waiting for us in Amman.




Mrs Lee took care of my wound.




In Amman we just took rest and meet people.




Eat wonderful dishes.




and KJ cooking for me.




Now, after 10 days resting the wound changed to crispy flakes.
It means it's time to continue.




Thanks all the korean community in Amman.