We took a hike up to the monastary - actually, the name is misleading because it was undoubtedly a Nabataean Temple originally. It was a climb of about 800 steps - reminded us of the long treks up to see the Japanese Shrines. Along the way they had many people trying to sell us anything we wanted (who wants to carry more up a mountain???) but they also had many donkeys to carry people up who gave out. I don't know...those people on the donkeys looked mighty uncomfortable going up those stairs!!!
We persevered and made it all the way to the top...to be met by ... another version of the treasury building!!! We were quite surprised!! I think that perhaps they were saving money...after all they had already paid for the blueprints for the first building, why not use it again??? It did offer a stunning view of the surrounding countryside - what a mesh of green fields, olive trees, and dry rock.
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