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Covering Up Petra
2 Reviews Petra is very popular tourist site also for the local Jordanians as well as for the other neighboring countries, you will see lots of Muslims dressed with their tradition clots, however, for...
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Drinking tea : this is all over! It is polite to accept a second glass: if you don't want it, then you should smile and have a reason for not accepting. You can refuse a third glass if you want to, put your glass back on the tray, and when somebody prepares to pour you some more, place your hand palm down flat over the top of the glass.
Men should wait for a Arab woman to offer her hand and women should similarly wait for a Arab man to offer his. Many women prefer to avoid touching a man they do not know well. Many men avoid touching a woman at all if she is not related to them, in that case they may offer an elbow (!) which you should try to shake more or less as if it was a hand. I know that this sounds funny, but do it anyhow!
If you are invited for a meal, one usually takes a small gift for the household. Take something like flowers, chocolates, biscuits or Arab pastries. Remember that it is not really polite to take something that the household would consider as being very expensive.Hand over your gift as soon as you possibly can murmuring "this is for the house" or something similar. However much your gift is appreciated you are unlikely to receive more than a polite thank you. This is normal. In many households people take off their shoes when entering, so wear slip on shoes or sandals in case.If you are invited to a meal, almost certainly a spoon will be offered, don't hesitate to accept it. Everybody may eat from a common plate, take the food immediately opposite to you only. Somebody will certainly pile up "your" sector with the choicest pieces, eat what you can. When you are full, say so (no need to...
Outside of Amman, where English is widely spoken you'll probably have to face language barriers. Especially asking locals for the way can easily led to misunderstandings, because they use also different gestures. Instead of pointing in a direction, they will take your hands and make the movements you ought to make to steer your vehicle into the right direction.
If you're taking a tour of Jordan, you will see a lot of sights like this. This is a Bedouin-style tent, although this particular group of Bedouin lived in the house in the background and only used the tent for milking and naps during the day. I don't know how I feel about tour groups that pull over and ask to check out a Bedouin tent. The fact is that the Bedouin will be HAPPY to invite you in, give you tea, even feed you if you hang out long enough. In especially touristy areas (Wadi Rum, for example) some enterprising groups charge for tourists to spend the night with them. On the other hand, this is a WAY OF LIFE for these people, not a tourist attraction. If you show up uninvited, you may startle a woman, which would be very embarrassing for her. Maybe the best compromise is to carry gum or small gifts from your home country to give in return, thereby demonstrating that you...
As I assume is the case in most Islamic countries, modesty, particularly for women, is a key issue. Lots of tourists show up at churches or mosques in inappropriate clothing (definitely shorts, but often short sleeves as well). While they often get in to the holy sites, people I've met seem to resent this behavior, and it doesn't make a terrific impression about the Western world. It's easy enough to carry a long-sleeved shirt or even a skirt with you when you travel that you can pull on quickly. Also, be careful about your photographs. Women, especially, may be unwilling to be photographed.
Loz akhdar, or fuzzy green almonds, are a delicacy that is only available for a few weeks each spring, say from about mid-March until late April. Watch for the mounds of fuzzy, green (immature) almonds to appear at vegetable stands or on vendor carts on the street, and buy a few to try. Wash them thoroughly, then either sprinkle salt on them or bite off the end and dip the rest of the nut into a mound of salt on your plate. In Jordan I saw them sold even along relatively isolated roadsides by the Bedouins. Please forgive my using this picture from Beirut... but I lost ALL my pictures from Jordan... :(
The Bedouins are the Native people of Jordan!This old uncle has the Poppy eyes!and wonderful innocent glaze!well I made the shot but entered his spirit to find Primitive thoughts!just real traditions and old fashion person!and Bedouins culture!
They are nice and friendly as all our Middle Eastern Girls!some of them are real Beauties!Well big Population of them is Palestinian origins!and some Charkas Ian mixed blood too!and there is few of real Jordanian Chicks!
Yes it was unusual to see those 2 wholes and the one up over!but soon I understood it is the European standard as I could recharge the battery of my Digital Camera easily with no problems!it was just about the unconventional form of it!
Petra Movenpick Petra
10 Reviews and 581 Opinions Called one of the most notable hotels in the Middle East. Lovely hotel, lobby and lounge areas, and...
Four Seasons Hotel Amman Amman
4 Reviews and 172 Opinions We stayed overnight at the Four Seasons, on our return trip home to Australia. We were warmly...
See all 86 Hotels in Amman
Wadi Rum Zeltcamps Wadi Rum
2 Opinions
Reviews and photos of Jordan attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Jordan sightseeing.
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Q: I am considering booking a Thomas Cook trip to Aqaba jan 7th. The main purpose of the trip is sunbathing, but we also would like...
A: Personally, I would miss out the Dead Sea and do both Wadi Rum and Petra. However, if you are set on the Dead Sea, then Petra is the other choice. I cannot see that...
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