TRAVEL :: Driving in Jordan

TRAVEL :: Driving in Jordan

Before I traveled to Jordan in May, I'd done very little research on the country. However, some of my students are Jordanian and like most people, they're proud of their country and their heritage and they encouraged me to visit.

So with my ounce of research, and some ambitious colleagues, we ventured to Jordan for six days. We'd all done about the same amount of research, some in slightly different areas. And though it all came together in the end, we were constantly on the Internet (when we could get access) trying to retrieve invaluable tourist tips and we didn't dare leave our trusty "Lonely Planet Jordan" too far behind.

Some of the road signs in Jordan. Taken May, 2012.

Although we rented a nice car to drive around Jordan, I must say that our deficit in research was most noticeable when it came to actually driving in Jordan. Though, at least, the driver's side is on the left, which is the same as in the U.S. (that's unlike some country's, like Cyprus, where the driver's side is on the right AND you drive on the right side of the road).

We didn't really get lost, but there were numerous times when we were uncertain about the direction that we were traveling. Seems finding a detailed map in Jordan's hard to come by. The Lonely Planet book had some maps, however, they just didn't provide us with a sense of clarity about navigating around the holy land. We didn't have a GPS, but I don't think it would have been much more useful.

The best map of Jordan (via Pat, the bike guy) that we found while searching online.

The biggest oversight was the signage. To our relief, there were signs in both Arabic and English, however, in many instances there were just images or symbols. We'd probably driven about 3 hours before we discovered the speed bump sign. We'd been hitting countless speed bumps, but we'd ignored the signs warning motorists about upcoming speed bumps; the signs were there. Needless to say, figuring that out made the rest of the road trip much 'smoother.'

The infamous 'speed bump' sign. Taken May 2012.

The roads were paved and we found the King's Highway to be exceptionally picturesque; greenery and valleys and lots of olive trees.

My advice for you if you're planning a trip to Jordan, get the rental car and hit the road. It's so much  more fun to piddle around and discover things on your own and at your own pace.

TRAVEL :: Amman, Jordan

TRAVEL :: Amman, Jordan 2012

Traveling to Jordan should be quite enjoyable and it was for us. The Lonely Planet Jordan guide's a good start on what to do and where to go. Though the information on the website might be more up-to-date than the most recent edition of the book. The guide, though a bit dated (2009), was still quite useful. Seems a new edition will be published in a few weeks (August 1, 2012).

Our travels (me and two of my colleagues) began in Amman, then to Madaba, Wadi Musa (Petra), Wadi Rum, Aqaba, the Dead Sea, back to Amman and then to Jerash.

For this blog post I'll focus on our time in Amman.

One of our best hotels on our 7-day trip was in Amman at Hisham Hotel. We liked it so much that we returned for another night at the end of our stay.

It's a super cute boutique hotel that's locally owned and near the Third Circle. There are lots of embassies nearby. But we really had no reason to venture far away from the hotel particularly after a long day of site seeing in the sweltering heat. They have some amenities (though no pool or workout facilities) like some really comfortable places to sit and read. Also, there's no cost for the wifi.

Various pics from Amman/Jerash (and one from Petra). Taken May/June. 2012.

The front desk service is cordial and informative. The complimentary continental breakfast was plentiful with lots of options including made to order omelets. Breakfast on their sprawling outdoor terrace was breezy and a great way to start the day.

If there's a downside to the Hisham Hotel it's that it's where the cool kids like to hang out in the evening and unfortunately loud techno music is the entertainment option. Even if I loved techno music (I tolerate it), I wouldn't want to try to sleep through what sounds like hours of the same beat. The solution? Ask for a room away from the Seven Barrels Bar.

We hired a driver to pick us up from the airport (though we eventually rented a car). He later drove us around to grab a bite a a local eatery and to see some sites like the Citadel and a nice view of the city.

For shopping in Amman, I highly recommend the Jordan River Foundation's shop. The mostly handmade items were high quality and reasonably priced: carpets, ceramics, and other trinkets. We saw some of the same items at other souvenir shops, but at higher prices.

The cafes and restaurants on Rainbow Street are fun and interesting; just an enjoyable way to see the city while strolling with the Jordanians.

Seven days is a good amount of time to see all of Jordan. We could have done without the trip to Aqaba. It gave me the willies. It reminded me of a trashy resort town. But traveling in late May, the weather was unbearable especially in Petra and Wadi Rum. Plan accordingly.

Finally, it was convenient to book end Amman on this trip since that was our point of arrival and departure.

Future blog posts about the trip to Jordan will focus on driving in the country as well as tips for traveling to Petra and Wadi Rum.

Music Monday 87 :: Spring Movements

Music Monday 87 :: Spring Movements

There's nothing like a conceptual video that's well produced; well, except one that is all of that AND also inspired by the uprisings in the Middle East.

Trip to Kuwait City

I recently took a trip to Kuwait City, Kuwait to attend the Arab-U.S. Association of Communication Educators (AUSACE) conference. It was my first conference outside of the U.S. and my first AUSACE conference.

The conference was nice. The focus of much of the research presented was on Arab media. There were sessions in both English and Arabic. The conference was held on the Kuwait University campus and they accommodated us nicely. There were a few logistical issues, but the time spent w/the conference attendees was more than pleasant.

Some of the activities planned outside of the conference was a quick tour around the city and then a trip to the Marina Mall (where Kuwait's first radio station is housed; for reasons that I won't explain here, I missed the tour of the radio station. If you know me and my passion for radio, you know that I am still NOT happy that I missed the tour of the radio station). We went to see the movie "Journey to Mecca" at the Imax in The Scientific Center. We also had an incredible lunch buffet at the Kuwait Towers.

Was it hot? It was boiling. And I'm not one to complain about the heat. But shesh, was it uncomfortable and to top it off, everywhere we went it was icy cold w/the AC. In between conference sessions, we'd go outside to warm up.

Kuwait was a stark contrast to Cairo, where I live. One of my students asked me how was Kuwait in comparison to Cairo and before I could answer, she said 'civilized'. Interesting and true. I tried to make a comparison, but it's just not fair to try to compare; they are distinctly two difference places. The first thing I noticed was how the Kuwaitis obeyed traffic lights and drove in their lanes on the highway. Simple observation, but if you know Cairo, you know that its pure anarchy when it comes to traffic in the city.

The Westernization of Kuwait is a bit sickening. Almost any American restaurant chain that you can think of exists in Kuwait. It really diminishes a good amount of the ethnic identity of the city. If it weren't for the veiled women and the men in their traditional dress, you'd think you were in Cali. Seriously.

I could go on and on ... point is, I really enjoyed my five days in Kuwait. I wouldn't mind going back. Maybe the next time, I'll get to see that radio station. ;-)

5 Things I Miss About Cairo

I've been away from Cairo for a month. I've been living there for about eight months and I'll be heading back to Cairo from the U.S. in about three weeks; just in time for Ramadan 2010.

As much as we (my colleagues and I) complain about whatever (the heat, the long commute to campus on the bus, teaching long days - though we only teach two days a week, the language barrier, the lack of delicious food, etc.), I was only gone a week and there was a list of things that I miss.

The terrace at my apartment in Cairo. I'd like to decorate more, but the dust is a bit of a problem.

Here they are in no particular order:

• Moving across the world was a big decision for me. But my friends and colleagues in Cairo have made the transition priceless. I miss our regular get togethers and our spontaneous trips to the market.

• I miss my apartment in Cairo. Not the yucky smell that emanates from the bathroom, but I have a nice sized apartment w/a full kitchen and an incredibly large, private terrace. Love that.

• Though I'm learning Arabic, the language barrier is the one of my biggest frustrations. However, thanks to Otlob I can order food online from a wide variety of restaurants w/out the issue of language. Delivery is usually 45 minutes or less and there is a nominal delivery fee. Otlob is awesome.

• I've never been a world traveler and I still don't consider myself that. However, traveling around Egypt is relatively inexpensive. It took me minute to get in the flow of the traveling but when I jumped in - I jumped in full blast. I've been to Alexandria, Siwa, Dahab, Mt. Sinai, Sharm el Sheikh, Rosetta, the White Desert, Luxor. I've also been to most of the tourist spots in Cairo including those famous pyramids! Can't wait to get back and visit more of the Middle East.

• Lastly, I love, love, love that you can get nearly any and everything delivered in Cairo and not just from restaurants. I can order groceries over the phone and have them delivered in about 20-30 minutes. Want a nice, tall latte, but you don't want to venture out into the heat, get it delivered. Need your dry cleaning picked up right away; get it delivered. Purchase some large plants in another part of town; get it delivered. This last option is not one that I take advantage of a great deal. Don't want to be too lazy, but it is convenient.

No two days are the same in Cairo unless you never leave your flat. But I am sooo enjoying my life and living there. Of course I get home sick and I've been shopping like crazy while in the States getting some of the things that I can't get in Cairo. But living and working in Cairo has taught me a bit of how to live w/less because really, I can't get everything that I want and need into two large suitcases and a carry-on.

So, if you think I have a list of things that I miss from the States ... you just wait, that blog post is coming.