http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Dar Salem/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Dar Salem en-us Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:26:30 BST Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:26:30 BST Today we went to the Israel Embassy in Jordon to see about a travel visa for my husband. We put our names on a list and waited to be called. This is out on the street in front of the embassy. There are many people waiting behind the cement blocks erected for barriers. There are to armed Jordanian soldiers here along with different men who come and go reading lists and looking at papers. They mus http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Israel/West-Bank/Bethlehem/blog-220271.html The first Friday we were in Jordan after J'umaih we had a bbq at a park in Amman. In the way to the park it was about 15 minutes from downtown people would stopp on the side of the road and have tea anad bbq. This park had no grass but it did have lots of trees and large open areas. It reminded me of Northern California around Yosemite area. The park was pretty full and we had to drive a way o http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Jordan/North/Amman/blog-220258.html Our next stop kid free in Jordon was Hammamat Marsquoin Marsquoin Hot Springs. . It is pretty cool. Ma'in is about 30 mins from Amman. My sister in law's husband drives a taxi in Amman so we did not have to worry about transportation. If you are not fortunate to have relatives who can drive you can hire a van and driver for fairly cheap in Amman. We passed through Madaba known for its m http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Jordan/North/Amman/blog-219792.html We arrived in Amman around 4 am. It did not take us long to get our visas and our baggage. we were greated my AHmad's two sisters his brother and one of his sister's husband. After a 30 minute drive from the Airport we arrived at his sister Khoula's house. There we met her 6 kids who my husband had not seen the oldest two since they were young and the other four he had never seen.We had tea and http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Jordan/North/Amman/blog-213776.html To day is the last day of Ramadan. Depending on which country you follow. Duabair follow Saudi Arabia while some others follow Iran. Even in Dubai there are people who believe Ramadan ends tomorrow. Eid starts tomorrow. Everyone is busy cooking and buying new clothes. We went out tonight to finished shopping and the streets are filled with prople everywhere. Men getting there hair cut and shaves. http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/United-Arab-Emirates/Dubai/blog-213771.html We are off to Amman today. We leave from Sharja which is about 10 minutes from Dubai but with the traffic it can take up to 2 hours.Our flight is leaving at 1230 and hopefully it will be there as scheduled.LAX is a cake walk compared to this airports departure drop off. It is a pretty much a free for all. Park where you want and just drop your stuff off. I did see a police officer meandering thr http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/United-Arab-Emirates/Dubai/blog-213765.html We are coming to the end of Ramadan. It has been very interesting being in a Muslim country during this time. The whole country is on a schedule. Food places with the exception of groceries are closed. They all begin to open around 550. The whole country eats dinner a the same time. We are getting ready for Eid al Fitr. THis is the end of Ramandan and last for three days. Most business are clo http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/United-Arab-Emirates/Dubai/blog-209148.html We are enjoying our time here. We have gotten used to the weather somewhat. It is something that you have to feel in order to really appreciate it. If you turn on your shower and let the bathroom get steamy and then turn on your heater to about 90. Stand in the bathroom for a while that is what it feels like here. It is still Ramadan here so most of the city closes during the day. The malls s http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/United-Arab-Emirates/Dubai/blog-207887.html Dubai Airport is pretty big and very busy. People from everywhere. After passing through customs and getting our visas we went to baggage claim. Luck have it ALL of our bags were missing. 7 bags. This did not make me or my husband happy. We found out that they had not been put on our connecting flight in Heathrow. Duh. They must have been to heavy. They were to be delivered to Sam's sister's hous http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/United-Arab-Emirates/Dubai/blog-206339.html After finishing cleaning our house and running the last minute erronds we are off. Of course as usuall with our family we are rushed. Rush to the airport rush to the gate and rush on the plane. Getting to SeaTac airport would not have been that bad if it weren't for rush hour traffic and a double header Mariners Game. I never knew my van could go as fast as it did.ltbrgtMy husband my nine http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/Heathrow-Airport/blog-206321.html Asalaam Alaykum 3 days and a wake up before we are off on our month and a half journey throught the Middle East. We are all excited and very busy preparing for our trip. Packing buying gifts repacking and putting our belongings in storage. We leave for London on Sept 26. When we arrice in Heathrow a 12 our layover gives a few hours to venture into London and see some sights. Back to the airport http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Washington/Seattle/blog-204535.html