Jordan – Amman

Yesterday afternoon we headed out to Ben Gurion airport arriving 4 hours early for our flight to Jordan.  After exploring the many delights of duty free shopping (and the fun of people paying with all their coins!) we boarded our 45 minute flight to Amman, the capital of Jordan.   We are doing a 6 day tour here exploring the country.  I have to admit that for the first time in our lives, both Dad and I arrived in the country knowing absolutely nothing so we are blank slates for our guide.  Most I’m sure would say this is very healthy not to have everything researched and planned for a change!  As it turns out it is a very small tour, as there is only us and another couple from New York.

This morning we met our guide and headed out to explore the primary sites of Amman.  The total population of Jordan is about 10 million and over 3 million live in Amman so it is a large modern sprawling city clogged with the accompanying cars.

First stop was the Citadel which contains the ruins from the Romans, Byzantines, and later Ummayad rulers.  It was totally levelled by an earthquake in 749AD and was not rebuilt at all until the archeologists and historians arrived in the late 20th century.

Temple of Hercules in the Citadel

Dad enjoying the sun and listening to our guide’s commentary

Ruins of the Ummayad palace

Our guide was telling us that Jordan’s tourist industry is very young and very fragile in terms of events in the region.  It only started with the signing of the peace treaty with Israel in 1994 and since then has had many years of non-activity due to conflicts in the region.  For example, this year because of the continued conflicts in Egypt and Syria, 80% of the tours have been cancelled in Jordan even though this is a very peaceful and stable country.

After the Citadel we drove to the bottom of one of the many valleys (Amman now spreads across 22 mountain tops) to visit the well preserved Roman amphitheater.  I have to admit that now I’ve seen these structures in Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, and now Jordan.  I’m very spoiled but I’m having a hard time getting thrilled anymore.

Roman Amphitheater

Our guide dropped us at the hotel and turned us loose on the city for a free afternoon.  From our hotel we can make out the minarets of the newly built King Abdullah I mosque so we made our way there on foot.  We quickly discovered that this city is designed for and owned by cars.  Beware being a pedestrian!  After playing chicken at a few major streets we found our destination with the help of a friendly local gentleman.  It is a very modern building both on the inside and out.

King Abddulah I Mosque – I liked the blue tiles

Minaret of King Abddulah I mosque

The flattering cloak I had to wear to enter the mosque

Since we now had a fairly good chunk of time before meeting our group for dinner tonight I am finally caught up on the blog!

I also want to just mention that today is Dad’s birthday so I’m very happy and excited to be here with him sharing this experience.  It has allowed us to have many long, excellent conversations reflecting both on what we have seen and done on this trip but also to explore many other areas of life.  This has been a unique experience together that I will cherish. I’m proud to be your daughter Dad!  Happy Birthday!