Amm to Jrs I just came back from Amman, Jordan & Jerusalem, Israel.
Before I left Dubai on the 4th of March 2011, I read this blog & took note about it.
But, to my surprise. This statements are totally different from my experience.
Entering Jerusalem thru Palestine is as easy as leaving Jordan border. The Israelites are very friendly & easy to talk with.
It took me 10 minutes to clear immigration process & another 5 minutes to collect my luggages.
In an hour & a half time, I'm already in the hotel situated in the heart of Jerusalem, just across the Old City.
Returning back to Jordan is also effortless. From Jerusalem, Israel to Dead Sea Jordan, it took me an hour trip only.
If anyone need a detailed information, including transportation. Feel free to message me.
Both Jordan & Israel are very nice place to see.
Christians, Muslims, Jews, Judaism are all together in one place peacefully.
Very interesting article Your article made me laugh especially when you mentioned "I finally made it into the passport control area, which was another zoo". I just came back from Russia, whose passport control was such a mess. Although it was in the newest airport in Moscow, there was no enough air conditioning and the hall before the passport control was so tiny. I was squeezed with hundreds of people in this stuffy can for about 2 hours. My own sweat and the smell from all around me made me quite sick. I thought that would be the worst waiting for a passport control. But when you mentioned that it took you 5 hours to get into Jerusalem, I couldn't help laugh. I am thinking to take a tour to Egypt and Jordan next month, but can't decide if I should go to Jerusalem. After your reading, I guess it is better leave it till a more peaceful time. Thanks.
encouragement as i read your experience on your trip to Jerusalem. am very much excited and encourage myself not to be afraid to travel alone and find my way there.
Wow! Am going also to witness the event for Christmas on the 24th dec 2008 from amman to jerusalem.hope i can make it to bethlehem for the midnight mass...
Amazing! I am making plans to travel here, and your story has touched me so deeply...definitely a tear jerker, having to keep my composure at work :-). I am definitely going.
visa hi chris, this is a very good writing lots of info...just want to ask what passport are u holding? do u have a jordanian visa? single or multiple entry? do u know if i cross thru allenby bridge will i still be able to go back to jordan if im holding a single entry jordanian visa? hope u can help me clarify these issues. thanks a lot!
I am doctor working in the Saudi ministry of health.I was planning to visit Jerusalem and Jordan and searched the web for more information.When I saw this site,really I felt like going there.Touching description of events which engrave the wall of ur mind.thank u
JORDAN - LOVED IT I stumbled upon this while looking for a good map of the Midle East. I was in Jordan last fall for a week and loved it. I taught Egyptians in Egypt many years ago and was in Jordan then for brief visits (mostly West Bank). It was a little bit like "coming home". Like you, what little Arabic I remembered was Egypt flavored, but everyone loved my attempts. We saw Petra, Jerash and the Dead Sea (a revisit), rode 4 wheel trucks in Wadi rum, etc., etc. You definitely need to go back. It's to bad more people don't know about this wonderful little country.
thanks! thanks chris, for all the time you've put into sharing your experiences with us. i've found it so fascinating and i'm really disappointed to hear that there is only one more report to go.
i really like how much you seek to understand other people and see a world outside of your own country. it's lovely how you respect the ways of locals so much and try to behave in appropriate ways for them. it's a shame that so many tourists make no effort in this regard and do things that are really offensive to the local people.
you're lovely
mel
Jerusalem... I came upon your journal through google, checking for information about St. Katherine's, and I am just having such a great time reading this...and now, you are in my favorite place in the whole world...Jerusalem. I was only there once...in 1978...for two weeks, during the Camp David talks, but...I have to go back...I have to end this now, so I can read the next chapter.
Chris, this is good reading. I am eagerly anticipating the next installment. (I just hope I don't end up enjoying your trip more than my own.) I hope there are a few more to go; please keep them coming.
Happy Christmas Great to hear your very entertaining accounts of crossing roads in Cairo, getting taxis and confusing the locals with your arabic!! I hope that you had a great time in Bethlehem for Christmas. I've been in Dublin and fly back to England today to go back to work and then off to a cottage in Wales for New Year with 16 friends. First time I've ever gone away for New Year! Anyway have a safe trip through Israel etc. and hope to hear from you again soon.
Regards
Nicola
Crossing trafic Foreign traffic can surely be a frightening thing! I was almost the hood ornament on a bus in Beijing myself! Glad to hear you made it across the damned street and are getting to see more of Egypt.
Herro! Schoolgirls of course reminds me of our visits to historic sites in Korea. It sounds like they aren't quite as shy as the kids we encountered, though.
Rock star I always knew you were a rock star, what with all the teenage girls surrounding you. I'm picturing you with Bono's glasses from "The Fly" in the case.
Stay safe with all of the election "fun" over there.
Schoolgirls, eh? I underestimated the worth of Egypt beyond the obvious historical value.
I wonder: do people speak well of the US hoping you'll give them money or something? Is it possible, once out of earshot, they all curse you and your country? Or, is it possible, Bush and our media have lied to us and the whole world doesn't actually hate us?
JAGCor
non-member comment
Amm to Jrs
I just came back from Amman, Jordan & Jerusalem, Israel. Before I left Dubai on the 4th of March 2011, I read this blog & took note about it. But, to my surprise. This statements are totally different from my experience. Entering Jerusalem thru Palestine is as easy as leaving Jordan border. The Israelites are very friendly & easy to talk with. It took me 10 minutes to clear immigration process & another 5 minutes to collect my luggages. In an hour & a half time, I'm already in the hotel situated in the heart of Jerusalem, just across the Old City. Returning back to Jordan is also effortless. From Jerusalem, Israel to Dead Sea Jordan, it took me an hour trip only. If anyone need a detailed information, including transportation. Feel free to message me. Both Jordan & Israel are very nice place to see. Christians, Muslims, Jews, Judaism are all together in one place peacefully.