As I write this I am sitting in an internet cafe in Amman, Jordan.  The smoke filled room is fully equipped with mobile space heaters and until about five minutes ago I had Arabic music blaring in my face.  The owner had kindly given up his main computer because there were no computers open when I arrived.  This accomodating treatment does not stray from what I have experienced since I arrived last night.  But let me start earlier than that.

 Yesterday morning I woke up around 8, packed my bag and made my way to the Jordanian Embassy. I had to wait for them to open (the receptionist told me they opened at 8 but that was ok because I was the first one there and my guide book said I would have to apply and come back around 2pm to retrieve my visa.  Thankfully, this was not the case.  The man prepared my visa as I stood there and then I hopped a cab to Central Station and bussed it to Jerusalem.  When I arrived in Jerusalem I inquired at the information stand, but after my introduction that went something like, “im trying to make my way over to Amman today…” she cut me off with a “Good luck!”  She told me how she thought I should go about it but given her response to my inquiry I didn’t take her advise.  My guidebook mentioned a tour agency and a general area  of where I could find it, “opposite Demascus Gate”  so I made my way there and found the office.  The last bus had already left but they could arrange a driver for me for about $40 USD. 

By about 1pm I was on my way to Jordan.  The Arabic driver explained to me along the way about all the land that should remain uninhabited or land that should be theirs but the Jewish people have been building on it and continue to build on what rightfully should belong to the Palistinians.  I just nodded and smiled at his enthusiasm along with the irony of the situation and answered his questions when he would say, “and do you know who lives there now” I would respond, “the Jewish people, of course!” It was interesting to see how the other side views Israel, Its important to get different opinions I am glad to have had the chance to speak with the Palestinian people. In this hour long ride he also taught me some Arabic and practiced counting from one to ten, learned how to say how much, and thank you.

Upon arriving at the other side of the Jordanian boarder, after crossing the Jordan River (which was more of a creek than a river, you could jump over it if you wanted), I met an English man, Matthew, who was nice enough to answer all my questions and even gave me a ride to the nearest town and drove me right up to the mini-bus which was heading to Amman.  All of the writing on the busses were in Arabic so it would have been difficcult to find a bus on my own, and by him helping me I saved about 30 bucks.  He has been living in Jordan for about eight years working with children for a company called CBM

In the mini bus an Egyptian kid, about my age, starting talking to me and asking me questions.  He knew maybe about 10 to 15 unrelated words in English so the conversations never went very far.  When we arrived in Amman he showed me where I could find a hotel and then we got something to eat.  By the time we got to the restaurant, which was more like a shawarma McDonalds, I was a little wierded out by how friendly he was being, but after all the attention I recieved in the restaurant, I guess people were just excited to meet someone from oversees.  On my way to the bathroom I had three people who worked there introduce themselves, shake my hand, and offer the little English they knew to greet me, “Welcome! Welcome!”  Keep in mind I have been telling everyone I was from Canada for reason of taking politics out of every conversation.  Everyone seems to love Canada here. 

After we ate he took me to a couple of different Archaelogical sights and view points that I would have not found on my own.  Amman is a city that is built in the mountains and is built around a number of ancient Roman archaelogical sights.

The buildings cover the mountains for as far as you can see from the top of a mountain.

After meeting some of Hamada’s friends who were also very welcoming, I left to go to bed because it had been a long day and I wanted to avoid the possibility of them asking how the Canadian National Anthem goes. 

This morning I woke up at about 5 and couldn’t go back to sleep so I waited until about 6 and head for the peak of the view point I was at the night before to watch the sunrise.  Unfortunately, because of a storm that was brewing in the distance, the sun never came up. But the guard at one of the Archaelogical sights let me enter and snap some photos at the break of dawn, about two and a half hours before the place opens to tourists. 

Because I got a lot done this morning and last night, and Amman was in white out by 8:30, I had my hotel contact a taxi driver who could drive me to Petra. He said he would do it and I bargained him down about 15 dinar (jordanian dollars) which is about 22 bucks, but it was all dependent on the weather. He called back a few hours later and cancelled due to dangerous conditions and I took his advice to wait until tomorrow and go with him other than look for someone else. He also speaks English fluently, which made it easier to bargain, but he can also help me with my arabic. People are very pleased when I use one or two words of Arabic, usually hello and thank you.

Well, tomorrow I head to Petra in the morning so lets hope for good weather. Until Then…