Petra

Shhh. Can you keep a secret. To find me, you must walk down a long, secret path. The rock walls are tall, tall, tall, like big grown-ups reaching for the sky. The path wiggles and turns. It feels like a secret adventure. When you get to the end, you will see a big surprise. You will see me. I am a city made of stone. I am rosy-red, the color of a pretty sunset. My buildings are not made of blocks stacked up high. They are carved right out of the big rock cliffs. I am a magical city hiding in the rock.

I am Petra. Hello. A long, long time ago, around the year 300, clever people built me. They were called the Nabataeans. They were very smart and kind. They were traders who traveled with long lines of friendly camels. Clip-clop, clip-clop went the camels' feet in the sand. The camels carried wonderful things, like spices that smelled sweet and yummy. The Nabataeans wanted a special home, a place that was safe and hidden. So they carved me from the stone cliffs. I was their secret home, and I kept them cozy and safe. I loved to hear the happy sounds of children playing and camels resting.

After a long, long time, I became very quiet. I was a sleepy, forgotten city. Shhh. I was sleeping in the warm sunshine. Then, one day, an explorer found me again. He walked down my secret path and when he saw me, his eyes opened wide and he said, “Wow.” He was so surprised and happy. Now, people from all over the world visit me. They walk my secret path and see my beautiful stone carvings. They come to hear my story. I am here to remind you that even old, sleepy places have amazing stories to tell.