Amman, Jordan
The Jordan Tourism Board invited me here to share my travel experiences because they are in a bad situation. Tourism is down in the area due to problems with Egypt and Syria. And because the world is large and some places are so far away we associate everything here as “The Middle East” as if it is one unit.
And we all know the Middle East is scary, right?
Growing up the Middle East was some exotic beast I did not know much about and was slightly afraid of it. And to be honest up until a few days ago I had no idea what to expect.
But Jordan is not as different as I had expected.
Touring the country with my driver Rami and my guide Mahmoud there is much less mystery. On the surface the decoration is different. Buildings look different, people dress differently, they speak a different language (although most people also speak English).
But the more I travel the more I see we are more similar than we think. I started to realize that Jordan is so much like Canada.
I’m serious.
Like Canada Jordan is a ‘nice’ nation signing peace treaties with all of the surrounding countries.
Just like Canada, Jordan is next to countries not everyone likes.
The people try to do the right thing with free health care and education. They form social programs and believe they should help the less fortunate.
They love their King, and while they may have minor gripes with the government, they are really happy overall, knowing how fortunate they are compared to others.
Overall people are respectful of different beliefs. Although many are Muslim, there are also Christians. You can see a mother with a headscarf but her daughter chooses not to wear one. Or a group of women carrying Gucci bags and full make-up choosing to cover their hair with vibrant scarves.
People smile and are very polite. I’m sure if I bumped into someone they would say sorry.
But the biggest affirmation of my theory was when I saw the sign for the ‘washroom. They call it washroom just like us! Not bathroom not toilet but washroom!
Our cultures are different but when it comes down to the important stuff we’re the same.
I am really excited to share my experiences in Jordan with you because it is a beautiful country filled with amazing people and there is no reason not to visit.
Travel Tip: I may be traveling alone but if you are looking for luxury family holidays there are plenty of options if you take a quick look online.
I'm Ayngelina and in my mid-thirties. I left an amazing job, boyfriend, apartment and friends to find inspiration in Latin America. I'm creating a new life choosing what I want instead of what other people think I should do.
Can’t wait to read the rest of your posts. I’d love to go there one day.
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Tell us more. It sounds like a great place to me !
Good advice, Ayngelina. Jordan is – and has always been – safe.
Thanks for this post. I’ve only ever seen Jordan from across the river, but my time in the West Bank left me feeling surprised by unexpected similarities, too. You’ve inspired me to write about it (and to finally get over to Jordan)!
Jenna recently posted..When in Rome, look up! (A different way to tour the Eternal City)
My daughter visited there a few years ago and mentioned some of the same things. I would love to do more traveling some day.
Curt recently posted..Smoked Wonton Ranch Chicken Appetizers
We’re headed to Jordan at the end of this month. I’m not scared of the Middle East – there’s a very strong possibility that we’re moving there next year. The only thing that scares me about that is the possibility of aggression from Western countries because of all that’s happening at the moment. Definitely not the people of the ME – I can’t wait to learn more about the region and explore!
Washroom…I love it!
Just like Canada, Jordan is next to countries not everyone likes?
Please explain in more detail! Hahaha
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You wouldn’t believe the anti-Greenland sentiment in some parts of the world. Completely undeserved.
That damn Greenland…
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ha ha Great post. Someone misses Canada!
Natalie T. recently posted..Top Ten Favourite Restaurants in Toronto
Ahh I am so excited to be going there very soon. Once I finally get out of Europe I will be going to Turkey and then JORDAN!!! I can’t wait~ Glad it’s a nice place to visit, I have only heard good things about it. I can’t wait to see it for my self.
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What a great post! And that first photo is absolutely amazing, great work!
Thanks for sharing!
When you say that Canada is next to countries many people don’t like, I wonder which one you are referring to
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Cool post, love Canada, and if I go to the middle east i’ll definitely check it out, top of my list!
well i’m Jordanian and i’m very happy while reading this, Jordan is a great country i tell you
and we are known for our hospitality
so please don’t hesitate to visit Jordan ,you’ll be pleased .
I love the comment about Jordan and Canada being next to countries not everybody likes …
Made me smile. But, in all honesty, Jordan has had a stigma in the past because of its location. I am glad people like you are able to go and visit and share their experiences. Hopefully, people will realize all that is has to offer and begin to visit. Good job. I look forward to reading more about Jordan!
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I LOVE posts like this one, Ayngelina. Those of us from “the West” tend to lump all Middle-Eastern countries together as being “dangerous” and “scary.” But the fact of the matter is that this really isn’t true!
And, I’ll bet that even in the real “dangerous” countries, there are still plenty of people just like you or I who only want peace and to live happy, fulfilling lives. At the end of the day, we are not so very different at all…
Can’t wait to hear more about your time in Jordan!
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Wonderful post and I agree 100%. After being there multiple times (and in other places in the Middle East also), it is striking how generally happy most Jordanians are. Personally, I couldn’t imaging living in their political structure, but for now, it seems to work fine for them. Helped that everyone really loved the previous King (and his American wife) who was around for decades. Lovely place to go visit.
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Ooh, I envy you. I would love to go to Jordan one day, I’ve only heard positive things about it.
Personally I wouldn’t think Jordan as an unsafe country. I just got back from Iran, which really doesn’t have a wonderful reputation in the West and I found it completely safe and an absolutely great country to visit. Now I’m planning some months in the Middle East, I’ve always been captivated by their rich and ancient culture.
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Thank you for this brilliant and positive view
Jad recently posted..Starbucks is the best Coffeehouse in Amman and here is why
I love the fact that we are more the same than different.
I remember when I first moved to Canada from Jordan people would ask me if I was culture shocked, and I was not at all. I love that you pointed to the fact that Jordan might be a far off land to some, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it should be a scary one to visit and explore. Loved this post
So excited to hear more!
Great post! I like the unique angle you took. I never thought about Jordan being so similar to Canada!
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Sounds wonderful. Jordan is somewhere I would really love to visit. Can’t wait to see more pics and read about more of your experiences there. By the way, I just got back from a trip to Churchill to see the polar bears…I remember you were there swimming with the belugas. What an amazing place! Would love to go back in summer and see the belugas. We should exchange notes!
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I should add Jordan to the list…
It’s striking how completely out of touch you are with Jordan. It’s obvious with this line, “They love their King, and while they may have minor gripes with the government, they are really happy overall, knowing how fortunate they are compared to others,” that you’ve not followed the political situation at all here. Almost nobody is happy with the government. Every Friday people demonstrate across the Kingdom, and there’s a reason. There are myriad other issues with your post too, but when the Jordan Tourism Board likely pays for your trip to Jordan and feeds you what they want you to see, it’s no surprise. As a Western woman who has lived in Jordan for some time, I agree that Jordan is safe and has a lot to offer tourists, but you’re traveling with blinders. It’s a shame.
Now, with the 100% positive sentiments to this post so far, please do surprise me and keep my comment posted. Or is JTB fielding those too?
Krystal
Thanks for commenting. There were a few people on Twitter that shared your views and while I encouraged them to also comment so my readers could see a variety of opinions they declined.
As someone on a guided tour and a tourist, I can never understand the country as you would living day to day. I can only share my experiences but I am glad that you agree Jordan is safe and has a lot to offer s that is my main message for people who have concerns.
Just like in Canada there are people who are not 100% satisfied and no country is perfect. I do respect your opinion; however I am aware that it is not shared by everyone.
If I could offer one piece of advice it would be to be aware that sometimes the tone of your message is as important as what you say. Coming on the offensive and attacking me for being out of touch does not help me, nor my readers, to welcome your perspective.
But in the end I have to thank you, because even if we differ in opinion, you took the time to share yours and I really appreciate that.
This is a clever post
Now that I’m back in Canada I wouldn’t mind venturing to a ‘warmer’ version is some other corner of the world.
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On my list of places to visit one day… but so is the rest of the middle east.
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I’m Jordanian and loved your post and the way you have described this country, glad to hear these positive comments and lovely pictures especially at Fenan …Good luck at your traveling
haha like the washroom bit to finish it off. Great piece. I’m really keen to get to Jordan. Looks so beautiful. Now I want to go even more!
Bobbi Lee Hitchon recently posted..My encounter with the Bushman
Jordan is a beautiful country. I visited this Spring and would love to go back. Look forward to your upcoming Jordan posts!
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sounds like a great experience.. and I enjoyed the comparison to Canada.
Well there’s no better way to explain a place is safe and people are friendly.
Another positive comment: We want to really see Petra. Hope you have a great trip.
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Oh wait until you see the photos of Petra, so amazing.
Beautiful images, beautiful sentiment. Can’t wait to read more about your trip!
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Yay for calling it a Washroom and being the “nice” country!
I think it’s always difficult to talk about the politics of a country…But if you give an honest and accurate report back on what you saw (which appears to be what you have done) then it is difficult to understand why people are attacking you. As you say yourself, you cannot hope to understand as much about a culture in one week as someone who lives there for many years can. Such a shame that people who take the time to criticise or attack couldn’t have used their words and efforts to discuss and explain instead. Hey ho. Glad you enjoyed Jordan – I loved it too. (Disclosure – also as a guest of JTB but very eager to hear more from people who know the country better.)
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I think your experience will be different than mine because you are being sponsored by the Tourism Board of Jordan. I traveled solo as a female to Jordan last year and my experiences varied from very good to making me downright angry. Sponsored trips are a great way to see the country, but I would challenge you to return without a guide or a driver and compare the difference. I am willing to bet it would be quite a bit different. Either way, I am enjoying your posts!
Thanks for your perspective. I really do want to return on my own as ten days wasn’t enough time. I did talk to other travelers who were doing it independently and they said the country is fairly easy to travel. I spoke to two girls in Aqaba who were really positive about safety there. How did you feel safety wise?
I felt safe the entire time I was in Jordan. I never feared for my life or felt I was in danger. I enjoyed the hospitality of the Jordanian people on a few occasions. It is very easy to travel through the country, though I did find it rather expensive (I was in Wadi Musa for most of the trip) and wished I had spent more time near Amman and the Dead Sea. I plan to go back, for sure, only now I will have a better idea of what to expect.
I have heard it’s a bit expensive for independent travel which could make it a bit tricky for me to return on my own but I really want to explore more.
But I really appreciate your perspective on safety which is something I really want people to be aware of, they should not be afraid to go.
Eh, I don’t think it’s anymore expensive than Israel and I find Israel to be quite expensive as far as hostels go. Food is relatively inexpensive and so is transportation, so it all evens out, I think. It’s just not as cheap as SE Asia. Also, if you do come back to Jordan, you need to go to Israel for a week or two and spend some time in the West Bank, like Bethlehem, Nablus, Jericho and a few other places. I can put you in contact with my couchsurfing host who I still remain in contact with. She lives in Israel. Couchsurfing is one of the best ways to get a feel for Israel. The hosts there are super nice, too. I also recommend staying overnight in Masada and climbing the Snake path up to the top and watching the sun rise over the Dead Sea. It was one of my most favorite memories of my travels last year.
Israel is completely safe too. Heck, I went to Ramallah for a day trip from Bethlehem because I could and while there is really not a lot to see there, it was quite interesting to wander around there for the day. I love the Middle East and look forward to returning.
Appreciate that you shared your reflections and noted so many details from the graffiti for peace to the ‘washroom’ label from your 10 day visit.
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I love stories and examples of how the farther we travel we find that humans and human nature can be so much alike where-ever we go.
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Great blog, but “next to countries not everyone likes”?! What ‘countries’ would that be, for Canada? The US is not without its faults, but you should know from all your travel that the world regards North Americans as largely the same. If you think the maple leaf differentiates you from the hated foe, well, sorry. The US is not the Syria to your Jordan.
I completely agree with you. Just as people often lump North Americans together, they do the same with the Middle East. The comment was no meant to be anti-American at all and I’m not comparing the US to Syria, it’s simply meant to try to explain that Jordan is different from its neighbours.