Rainy morning in Petra: preparing for the Treasury

The pitter-patter of rain against my hotel window woke me before my alarm this morning. I'd planned to be at the Petra entrance by 7:00 AM, but the weather has forced a slight adjustment to my plans. Looking out at the wet landscape, I'm reminded that even the best-laid plans sometimes need flexibility.

It's currently 9:00 AM, and I've spent the morning reorganizing my day instead of hiking through ancient ruins. The hotel receptionist informed me that today's forecast shows rain tapering off to showers later this morning, so I've decided to delay my main Petra exploration until then.

I arrived at breakfast at 6:50 this morning, ten minutes before the hotel restaurant opened. The staff was still setting up, but they kindly let me in with a smile. "You must be eager to see Petra," the waiter said. I nodded, though my attention was on the rain streaking down the windows.

The weather might be disappointing, but it's given me time to properly prepare. I've waterproofed my camera bag, charged all my batteries, and mapped out the route I want to take through the site. According to my research and yesterday's conversations with locals, I should prioritize:

• The Siq - the narrow gorge leading to the Treasury
• The Treasury (Al-Khazneh) - ideally when the light hits it just right
• The High Place of Sacrifice - recommended by that helpful local guide yesterday
• The Monastery (if time and energy permit)

The rain has actually provided an unexpected benefit - fewer tourists will likely brave the weather, potentially giving me a less crowded experience at the Treasury. The café owner I met yesterday mentioned that rainy days in Petra create beautiful light conditions as the sun breaks through clouds, making the pink sandstone glow even more dramatically.

I've laid out my clothes for the day: hiking boots (now treated with extra waterproofing), quick-dry pants, merino wool base layer, and my trusty rain jacket. I've also packed extra socks in a waterproof bag - nothing worse than soggy feet when exploring.

The temperature is quite cold at 6°C, much chillier than I expected for Jordan. The forecast shows it won't get much warmer today, topping out around 8°C. I'm glad I packed my warmer layers, though I admit I didn't expect to need them quite this much in the Middle East.

I've spent some time this morning reviewing the history of Petra. The Nabataean civilization that built this place was remarkably advanced in water management - perhaps appropriate to contemplate on a rainy day. Their cisterns, dams, and water channels transformed a desert location into a thriving city of 20,000 people. There's something humbling about standing in a place where human ingenuity flourished over 2,000 years ago.

The plan now is to head out around 10:30 AM when the rain is expected to ease. I've arranged for a packed lunch from the hotel since I intend to spend the entire day exploring. The receptionist tells me that despite the rain, the site remains fully accessible, though some of the higher paths might be slippery.

Looking out the window now, I can see the rain has already lightened somewhat. The desert landscape absorbs water quickly, and the stones take on deeper, richer colors when wet. Perhaps this weather will offer a different perspective on Petra than most visitors experience.

I'm counting down the minutes until I can finally walk through the Siq and witness the Treasury for the first time. Despite the weather delay, the anticipation only grows. Some experiences are worth waiting for - and Petra has already waited thousands of years for me.