Amman was originally built on seven hills but has now extended to nineteen. It is hard work getting up and down those hills so, depending where you’re heading, you may want to take a taxi. Taxis in Jordan are expensive. There are no train networks in Jordan only taxis, buses and rental cars. From what I have heard rental cars are reasonably priced but you do take your life into your own hands. The driving is pretty crazy. Nobody sticks to lanes. It’s not unusual to see three cars astride in a two lane highway. I have been white knuckled a few times in the taxi with some of their antics. Having said that their system seems to work.
Today I decided to hang out in the downtown area of Amman. I started at the Citadel which sits on the highest jabal (hill) in Amman called Jabal al-Qal’a. Aside from some great sites such as the Temple of Hercules, the Byzantine Church, the Mosque and the Monumental Gateway/Entrance Hall, there were fabulous views of the city.
And the views…..
Next I went to the Roman Theatre which was nearby.
This amphitheatre is a 6,000 seat Roman Theatre in the downtown area of Amman.
It was built into the hillside and oriented north to keep the sun off the spectators.
The Roman Theatre hosts music events and dramatic plays these days and is a popular place to sit with friends and family for the local Ammanites.
I decided to take a walk downtown (known as Al Balad) to see if I could buy some souvenirs because as of today my grand total of souvenirs is 2 fridge magnets. Not much considering I have been to four countries over the past (nearly) five weeks.
I ended up buying two pairs of socks and no souvenirs. Oh well I’m just not a big buyer.
I had heard that some females were harassed in this area but I had no trouble at all. I always dress modestly in countries where Islam is the majority religion anyway and I think common sense helps.
I didn’t see any other tourists all day and I found people to be helpful when I asked for directions.
I started to get tired late afternoon and was searching for a taxi to get back to my hotel but it seems everyone in Amman was either already on the road (the traffic was chaotic as it was Thursday afternoon – the start of a weekend for Muslims) or they were looking for taxis too. I started to think I would never get back to the hotel when a man walked up behind me and asked if I wanted a taxi. Woohoo I certainly did!
On the way back to the hotel the taxi driver told me his life story i.e. divorced with three children, had an American girlfriend then she went home and now looking for new girlfriend. Can you see where this was going? I did, so I jumped in with the fact that at 10 years older than him I was too old. Unfortunately that didn’t seem to faze him and I had to decline his offer of a date that night. If only I had this problem back home!
The day was finished off with a lovely Amman sunset.
