Joel A. Bartsch, a museum curator from Houston, Texas, has made natural science and history his career for nearly 41 years. Outside of his career, Joel Bartsch has interests that include traveling abroad, including the Middle East.
Many locations in the Middle East offer travelers a glimpse of the life and culture of the people in this region. The Middle East extends from the Pakistan border to the Arabian Peninsula containing Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE.
One popular location is Petra, Jordan. Considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Petra is also one of the most photographed cities in Jordan.
Visitors can tour the remnants of ancient mosques, palaces, temples, and pink sandstone tombs once a part of the Nabatean Kingdom. Visitors can get a sense of the city’s timelessness by walking through the Siq Valley where massive pillars make an imposing impression. Outside of site seeing, travelers can also take in relaxing in the waters of the Dead Sea or hot springs, diving in Aqaba, and touring the Mujib Nature Preserve, a nature preserve that exists at the lowest altitude in the world.
Dubai, UAE, offers travelers the chance to visit modernity that has come to become a part of the Middle Eastern landscape. It is home to the tallest skyscraper in the world and intriguing shopping malls.
Dubai Mall, for example, features an aquarium and zoo where people can actually dive with stingrays and sharks. At night, viewers can watch the Dubai Fountain show which features dancing synced with choreographed lights and music. Other attractions to see include Wild Wadi, Dubai Creek, Burj Khalifa, and Global Village, among others.
