Allow me to set the scene for you:
“Petra by Night” is a thrice-weekly event with performances by Bedouin musicians and storytellers held at the iconic Treasury in southern Jordan. Brown paper sacks with candles placed inside illuminate the ancient ruins and create a stage for the performers.
As Kristi and I hiked through the candle-lit canyon on the way to Petra, we lingered towards the back of the large group to have moments of peace by ourselves. As a result, we arrived last. Mats were spread out around a rectangular stage area for spectators to sit on. When we arrived, all the mats were occupied, so they had us sit on the steps of the magnificent building. We were on display for everyone to see.
The below photo will give you an idea of what the event looks like, except that on the night of our visit there were a lot more people and the crowd extended around all three sides of the candles. (photo courtesy of Colby Brown)
As you can see, we sat above the crowd, on display for everyone.
I set up my flimsy travel tripod and took photos as we watched the beautiful ceremony. The tripod magically telescoped from the size of a pencil to about 4-feet tall. It was super light-weight, but sturdy as a newborn giraffe.
After performances by the musicians and storytellers, the emcee of the event then called for a two-minute moment of silence.
I was getting hot, so I decided to take off my rain jacket.
I was slightly sweaty, and my jacket clung to my skin.
I struggled to free myself from the jacket, but instead, I became further entangled. The nylon jacket made ungodly noises in the quietness and drew the stares of many people.
Kristi glared at me disapprovingly.
In the profound silence, the jacket sounded like a loose tarp on a semi-truck flapping in the wind on a highway.
In my epic struggle with my rain jacket…
my foot slipped and kicked the camera…
which tumbled forward and scored a direct hit on one of the candle-sacks.
It extinguished the flame and sent up a plume of smoke.
And made a loud “BOOSH’ noise, which drew the stares of hundreds of people.
What happened next was nothing short of mortifying. Without thinking, I SHOUTED (spontaneously and appropriately I might add),
My F-Bomb boomed throughout the crowd and echoed in the narrow canyon.
It wafted into the ears of nearby Bedouin shepherds…
to the crowded streets of Cairo…
through Al-Queda terrorist camps…
and throughout the Middle East.
I sensed the warm tingle of adrenaline course through my veins and felt the weighty stares of hundreds of people upon me.
Then, in unison with Kristi, I began to giggle uncontrollably. There was nothing else to do at that point.
Initially, I thought my camera was unharmed, but after that my shots were slightly out of focus and red dust appeared on low light shots, which served as a reminder of the accident and my foul mouth. I am sure that there are people all around the world that still talk of the time that a guy dropped an F-Bomb during the moment of silence at Petra by Night.
Have you ever dropped an F-bomb in an inopportune time?
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ROTFLOL… The illustrations are too good..
I am glad that my embarassment can bring you joy. Thanks for reading/commenting.
Oh my gosh! I am laughing out loud as I sit at the Sonic. People are looking at me strangely (my window was still down from ordering!). My tears of laughter are threatening to become uncontrollable! Only you my son could make that sound like an experience worth having!!
Sent from my iPhone
I am glad that I could make you laugh.
Priceless!
Thank you, Millezer
Totally awesome comic strip art!
Thank you. I am a brilliant artist I know.
I love all the above comments .. and agree with them. I’m hoping they remember you .. not what you said. Really enjoy your writing, pictures and graphs.
Jeff and Kristi, Great illustrations and wonderful story … and wasn’t Petra truly awesome! All the best, Terri
I think Petra is still my favorite ancient site in the world. It was like hiking in Utah with 2000-year-old ruins scattered about. A truly unique place I thought.
Totally hilarious!! I am dying to go to Petra and loved your (one) photo … but really REALLY liked your funny illustrations. My own F-bomb story came in the middle of a Denny’s restaurant on a Sunday morning before CHURCH (when it was packed with senior citizens, of course) with my then 2-year old daughter who for some reason, watching the table next to us get served their waffles, yelled, “Hey… where are my F***ing pancakes?” I don’t swear and I had no idea she even knew the word, but boy howdy, did we get the horrified stares. I tried to punt — saying loudly, “Oh you’ll get your BUCKWHEAT pancakes, honey!” — but nobody was buying that. At least we were in America, though! You WIN!
I think you might win there. That is awesome! Where are my _____pancakes!
Petra is pretty amazing. It is like hiking in southern Utah with 2000 year old ruins all around. Incredible. Thanks for reading and I’m glad you were entertained.
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You are hilarious and quite the story teller. You had me laughing out so loud that my 3 year old son was like, “What’s so funny, Daddy?” The comic illustrations are priceless! Thanks for that well described and well illustrated story. Definitely following your blog now.
Thank you Andy. That was one of those moments in life was just so weird it had to be told by cartoon to explain it all. I am glad you enjoyed it!
Your best post. EVER. Good luck topping this one!
It is my personal favorite.
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You crack me up! I can’t believe that you actually draw all these pictures in Paint–that’s a lot of work. I don’t know if you have ever tried it, but you should give the Drawing App in Google Docs a try. The polyline and curve lines as well as the ability to copy/pate objects, reposition/resize items and edit anchor points are going to rock your world. I highly recommend it. Please let me know if you ever give it a try!
I will give it a try. Paint is so easy a kid, or me, can use it, but maybe it is time to take my drawings to the next level.
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I’m late to the party, but I’m so glad I found this post. Whenever I read or see anything on Petra I’ll think of you.
Angeline, I am glad to know that my disaster is fun for others to read. Tragedy + Time + MS Paint = Comedy
If I were on the scene, I would have become one of those people who would tell everyone about the story of ‘that guy who dropped the F-bomb at a supposedly magical place’. But then you seem like a good guy, so if I do find myself in similar situation, maybe I’ll just think ‘oh what a poor guy!’ instead of judging. 🙂
Yes Bama, it can happen to the best of us!
Ha, the bestest Petra story I have ever read!!! 😀
Thanks Madhu. I am glad you enjoyed.
Hilarious post!
Thank you!
Both of us ROFL! Brilliant! Though I guess you didn’t feel so brilliant at the time.
Alison
I re-read that post when I sent it to you and I was wrong about one thing – my camera was kind of broken after that. Lesson: don’t go cheap on your travel tripod!
So re you still using the manfrotto?
Yes, still have it. It lost part of a leg but I fixed it with a metal rod so it looks like a pirate now with its peg leg.
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