Snow in the Desert

As soon as it snows I am one of the first to run outside and jump around in it like a lunatic new-born lamb. I am known for starting epic snowball ambushes, making impromptu snow angels & you can always count me in for a midnight tobogganing session with my pals.
Snow sculptures are awesome too. One year I made a roasted pig out of snow, complete with an apple stuffed in its mouth which was neatly plucked out by deer every night (I lived in an orchard then so the stolen apples were easily replaced).

But snow in the desert? Yep. It is pretty crazy. January brought the white stuff to the Middle East and even the ancient city of Petra got dusted. Roads were closed off and many Jordanians were having a lot of fun sledding around.
The unusual weather has also created serious problems. Most affected are the tens of thousands of Syrian refugees. Snow, rain, and wind have battered the refugee camps and in Zaatari tents were flooded and people were evacuated. The situation is worsening. I've been told that many Syrians need to 'pay' to get their families safely across the border. These people, who are running for their lives, leaving all they have behind in a desperate attempt to escape the war that is raging in their home country are being bribed by Syrian custom officials... An amount that most can't afford to pay (Read more about it here)

For an article and video about the Zaatari refugee encampment in Jordan click here.