A few Hours in Jordan

7th November

Ok, let’s be honest, I had 20 hours in Jordan, there isn’t going to be much for me to talk about here. Ironically enough when I boarded the flight I noticed I was being treated. I had a seat back TV I was having pre flight drinks, I had an assigned seat! I had totally forgotten what it feels like to fly on an airline which actually provides a good level of customer service. Maybe flying with all the Ryanair's of the world all the way to Australia wasn’t such a great idea ;) (Only kidding). Because of unrest in the area instead of getting a coach to Sharm el Sheikh I was getting two planes. My new routing would be a flight to the Jordanian Capital Amman and then the next day a little hop down to Sharm el Sheikh.

The flight was so short that there wasn’t even enough time for a bar service (hence why I was getting a pre-flight drink) The man sat next to me told me he did the route often and that normally from take off until landing (i.e. excluding the bit when you drive along the floor) the flight takes all of 23 minutes. The seat belt sign never came off once during the flight. And before I’d even had chance to get partway through the in-flight guide I was coming into land into Amman Airport.

After my fears and concerns of being refused entry to Israel proved pointless I didn’t think that any other destination on my trip would prove difficult to enter. Oh how wrong I was. As I approached the immigration officer with my pre purchased visa in hand I could sense he was having a bad day. He looked at me; he looked at the picture in my passport. He asked how old the picture was. I offered 8 years (I did think it a little obvious since my passport was issued 8 years ago but I know better than to argue with immigration officials. He looked at me; he looked at the picture in my passport. And He looked at me; he looked at the picture in my passport. Finally he asked me for some other proof of id. Lucky I didn’t have any and when I explained this, the game continued. He looked at me; he looked at the picture in my passport. He looked at me; he looked at the picture in my passport. Only this time I was asked occasionally why I have no other proof of id. Until eventually he got a friend who he spoke with in Arabic. His friend seemed to be on my side. I think the fact I had a boarding card for my next flight would help assist with the matter.

It didn’t

Instead it took two more of his colleagues to say to him and I’m paraphrasing and assuming an understanding of Arabic which I don’t have. ‘Just stamp his passport and stop creating a queue.’

So he did, thankfully and then I found myself late for my bus and so stuck at the airport for 55 more minutes. Coach, barter with a taxi driver, walk of and leave taxi driver and a find a better taxi driver later I was on the way to my hostel. Transport from the airport to Amman centre is not good. Full of ideas of exploring the city at night, all I wanted to do was sleep, so that’s what I did. Or at least tried to do until morning came and my dorm mates decided to get up at what I thought was 5 o’clock. It turned out to be six because I had gone forward an hour but still; it’s a very early start. I lay in bed hoping to go back to sleep which eventually came.

Once up I had a coffee, breakfast and a coffee again. I decided to try and see some of the city. I saw the old Roman amphitheatre, but they charged to go in and the view I had was just as good so didn’t bother paying entrance fee. I also saw some other ruins which were hidden behind an ugly green fence. Funny they never show those types of pictures on the internet do they?

Time for a quick picture from the top of my hotel and I was back on my way to the airport. A very quick stop in Amman but I think I saw all I wanted to see. Next time I’m in Jordan, definitely have to see Wade Rum and Petra, fingers crossed I don’t get an ear infection that time too!