BUSY DAY IN AMMAN JORDAN
Trip Start
Oct 01, 2008
1
141
319
Trip End
Sep 02, 2009
Amman,
Jordan
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Busy day for Amman. Breakfast was in the dining/living room. We said hello to the 2 other Canadians and the American. They are off Jarash on a day trip. There are a lot of people here so it must be a popular place.
FOR THE TRAVELLERS - Palace Hotel on King Fisal Road - a side street, down from the Police Station on the main street. So if you are in the area of the yellow 'police' blockades on the main street you are close.
The hotel made arrangements for us to go by taxi to Damascus. It was 12 JDs each.
We do not have a visa for Syria so I telephoned their embassy in Amman. I was told to get a visa at the border crossing.
We are off to the police station to get our first visa stamp extended so when we leave Jordan this time we will get an exit stamp in the passports. Then down the street to look for a book store and get a Lonely Planet Middle East Book, which was just past the Post Office. He only had one copy left and we even asked and got a discount on it, so we walked out happy.
Then to the Post Office to mail our little Christmas tree ornament souvenir from Jerusalem back home. We were advised to make sure we didn't have anything in our bags suggesting that we had been in Israel if we want to get into Syria. That task was completed easy.
Darn the pull for my jacket zipper broke off, so we had to stop into a store and borrow some pliers to get it undone. Will have to look for a solution to fix this later on in the hotel.
Then we went to the Pharmacy to get some multi-vitamin and calcium pills, and some deodorants. The first pharmacy had Jamison calcium pills, made in Canada, so we took them, chose some deodorants and found they have Jordan made Panadol (like Tylenol at home), which is much cheaper than the national made brands. Didn't find any multi-vitamins that were a reasonable price so we passed on what she showed us.
When we were there the tea boy just brought in a tray of 2 hot chocolates for the clerk and her friend. It smelt so good and she asked if we would like to stay and have a cup with them. It was getting busy in the store so we thanked her and then left. This is one of the norms, there seems to be a tea person in each area who makes and delivers tea to the workers in the stores a couple of times during the day. We seemed to always pass someone going here or there with full hot tea glasses into the stores.
We then went for a walk and realized that we were in the fresh fruit and veggie market we had visited the last time. There were more vendors on the street today, I just loved listening to them call out about what they have for sale. Sometimes it was a competition between two vendors selling the same thing. We bought a couple of oranges and tried to get 2 bananas from one vendor, but he wanted us to buy the whole bunch. The guy next to him sold us 2 bananas. Passed a man with mint so I asked for just a bit and he gave Len and I a twig each, that will be enough for a cup of tea tonight. We stopped in a nut store and got some peanuts, there was a pyramid of spices of various colours we stopped to look at and the man gave us some to taste. He said to dip bread in olive oil and then the spice mix. It was quite nice tasting, we both had a pile in our hands so I took a bag and we brought it with us, now to find some bread and olive oil. Some of the stores have sell-offs, Len had just asked if I had seen any peanut butter, and there was a stack of jars so we got one. Not an item we can easily find, what luck and it was cheap too.
The afternoon was spent going up several flights of stair (Amman is built on hills) looking for a wi-fi café, so we got our exercise and cardio for the day and ended up in a neat little café overlooking the city. Their pizza was delicious! We spent the afternoon catching up on emails and pictures. We found out about the cafe from a couple from Liverpool who have cycled all the way here! Their biggest challenge was going from the Dead Sea into Amman. I couldn't imagine riding a bike anywhere in Jordan.
We went back to the hotel and cleaned up for dinner Went to the Jerusalem Restaurant. Their menus are not in English, there is lots of staff in white shirts, vests and bow ties. Eventually the head guy comes over and tells us in English what they have, Len has a lamb kebab, rice and veggies and I have chicken, rice and vegetables. The rice is cold and the veggies have a spicy sauce on them. I ate the chicken. I read later in the Lonely Planet about this restaurant and they describe the waiters as 'grumpy'. They were bang on.
I spent the evening with Roy, Carol and Bev hearing about their trip today, their planned trip to Madaba and Petra for the next couple of days and then we talked about Roy and Carols trip to Jerusalem. I had several business cards to leave with them and we talked about the walking tour. They were really happy to learn about our trip so then their trip will be easier. Carol could not say thank-you enough. I said I know how great it is if someone can tell you what to expect or how to find a hotel or bus.
Another great day and I think we are set to go to Damascus.
Comments
Yuma
Hi travelers,I havent heard about Len dancing lately. Did you find your olive oil and bread for your dipping spices? You two are really seem to know what you are doing as you are winging it through all of these countries. Even though you are meeting people who are doing the same thing as you are, most people will do guided tours.
Yuma had its annual car cruise a couple of days ago, we chose a different location from before to get away from the burn out bunch down the road. It was a fun time. People are starting to head out to go home, but it is still cold up north. Post more pictures when you get a chance. Take Care
Henry and Mardena