Blogs from Jordan, Middle East - page 89

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July 25/26 So made it safely to the Heathrow Airport and made my flight to go seeeee DIALAAAA!!!! HABIBIIII!!!! (means “my love” in Arabic) yaaayyy no troubles at the airport and even saw my first camel along the side of the road! Woohooo Met Diala’s mom, dad, older brother, sister and aunts…Her brother, Isam, actually went to Marquette and her sister, Jumana, went to Macalester—what a small world! Then went out and met Diala’s buddies...everyone has been sooo nice so far! Next day, Diala’s friend, Mees, who actually goes to UBC too invited all his friends over for a traditional Palestinian meal. He is Palestinian and his parents are strict muslims so it was cool and interesting to talk with them and experience a traditional meal in their home. They asked if this was my first ... read more

As usual, I am here in an exotic location on Business and on the last day of work, I decided I should go do tourist stuff. I actually decided to do the tourist stuff long ago, I just never made any plans. On the way from the airport I discuss my tourist desires with my driver, Yanal Bikmerza, and he suggests that I should spend the night in the Wadi Rum when I visit Petra on Friday. He fills my head with visions of the Bedouins and their camp, sleeping in a tent and enjoying an evening of Arab desert hospitality. I’m sold. He tells me to call him or email and make plans a soon as I can - “Please don’t wait until the day before.” He asks. Over the next couple of days I ... read more

Today we got up (early once again, quite a remarkable effort for me I must say. Dad, I think you would agree!) We left to go to Petra for the day. And what a day this one turned out to be!!! Petra is an amazing place, if anyone ever has the chance to go there...I strongly suggest it. But be prepared for long walks, many stairs, hot sun and the Bedouins! We started off by getting to the Treasury, then decided to walk up to the High Point of Sacrifice. After many water and rest stops along the way, we made it to the top and the walk was well worth it. Such a beautiful view from the top. A full 360 degree panoramic view of Petra and so much more beyond the horizon. We met ... read more

After still only a few hours sleep in Amman, we woke up and headed off to Chris' parents place in Aqaba (about 3 hours out of Amman, on the coast). Was quite a lazy/uneventful day (as you can imagine after everything that we had been up to), we arrived in Aqaba, and went to the old house of the Gabriel's, then to their new apartment, had a bit of a few hours nap then went and got some dinner in town at a place called Ali Baba's. Then went up to a rooftop bar called Sea View Cafe, met Chris' friend Yeseen, had a drink, a chat, then back home for more sleep. The next day we spent in Aqaba again, went down to the sea and went swimming. So so beautiful!! Quite alot more salty ... read more