Walking through the alleyways with their intricate stone columns and cobblestone roads, you feel as though you've been transported back in time.

I found Jordan to be a country rich with history, ancient preserved ruins, and unexpected beauty.

On a perfect December day I strolled through an ancient olive grove in Umm Qais during harvest season with my friend and owner of the grove. Majestically abundant trees were perched high along the Jordan River Valley. I watched as locals carefully plucked each olive by hand, so they didn't hurt the branches of these longstanding trees.

In between picking olives they invited me over by a small fire where they were steeping a pot of delicious mint tea. I sat with my new friends enjoying our tea as they told me about the history of their groves.