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January 2023
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January 2023

Around the world (well, almost!) on the Costa Deliziosa cruise ship. Läs mer
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    Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Krishna Temple

    31 januari 2023, Indien ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    One of my favorite restaurants in Dallas is in a Krishna temple, and I swear they have the same statue of Lord Krishna as the one we saw today in Mumbai!

    At the entrance, there was a sign to remove our shoes. When we reached the patio, a group of lovely ladies asked to take my photo, so I took theirs in return.Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Sacred Cows

    31 januari 2023, Indien ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    In Hinduism, there is a goddess named Bhoomi, and she is often depicted as a cow.
    Bhoomi represents Mother Earth, and is revered for her strength and gentle nature.

    There is even a festival called “Mattupongal” that honors cows for their service to mankind.

    Take all these things together, and you have the reason why Hindis let cows have the run of the place! (I’m sure there’s much more to it, but that’s what I gleaned from our guides, so far. I’m learning as I go.)

    At one point, Larry and I encountered a cow on a sidewalk in Mumbai. When I tried to pass by her head, she just looked at me and would not budge! We passed behind her instead, while she placidly chewed her cud.

    Since Mumbai’s a big city, there aren’t a lot of places for cows to graze. We often saw people sitting in the street next to a cow, offering them food and water they had brought with them.

    In Goa, on the other hand, cows have plenty of grass to munch on. We even saw cows lounging in the grassy median of a busy road.

    As we laughed about this, our cab driver, Nelson, told us that sometimes a cow will decide to sleep in the middle of the road, “And there’s nothing you can do about it.”

    “Does anyone eat these cows?” Larry asked.

    “Oh, no, not those,” Nelson told us. “But I’m Catholic, so I eat beef.”    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Dobi Ghat

    31 januari 2023, Indien ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    In the shadow of Mumbai’s towering skyscrapers lies Dobi Ghat, an old fashioned laundry that cleans clothes in water from the Arabian Sea.

    Different sections of Dobi Ghat specialize in specific items, such as jeans, sheets, etc. As you can see, they don’t use clothes pins. Instead, twisted ropes hold items in place.

    I’m not sure how they keep track of all the laundry, but it must be quite a system!

    The people who work there, live there, as well. Some of the women and children of Dobi Ghat sell items to tourists who come to the viewpoint that overlooks their busy neighborhood.    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär
    1

    Parsi Sky Burials

    31 januari 2023, Indien ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    Surely you know the word “incarnation,” but did you know that “excarnation” is a word, too?

    Read on!

    Also, see that pink building? There’s an interesting reason why so many birds are soaring nearby.

    In 1931, Mumbai’s Parsi population, Iranian immigrants who practice the Zoroastrian religion, erected that pink building. It’s called a “Dakhma,” meaning “Tower of Silence.”

    Inside the Tower of Silence, there is a chute leading to a private beach. The Parsi people send their dead down that chute so that scavenging birds can eat the bodies at this excarnation site.

    For many decades, there were plenty of vultures to complete this task. Sadly, since the late 1990s, the birds are extinct in this region.

    As always, there’s some debate as to why the vultures are gone. A likely reason is that the birds died from painkillers in the corpses which are toxic to them. The pain killers came on the market just as the vultures began to decline.

    Our guide, who is with the official Mumbai tourist office, didn’t want to talk much about it, so I didn’t press her, but I’ve read about the issue before our trip.

    These days, there are ravens and kites still swarming over the Tower of Silence, but they are not as efficient as vultures.

    It can now take a couple months for the bodies to fully decompose here, alas. These remains are not easily visible, though, and only Parsis are allowed to visit the excarnation site.

    To make up for the lack of vultures, solar panels have been added to the area. They add heat to the decaying bodies, which hastens the excarnation process.

    So why do the Parsis prefer these “sky burials” over traditional burials?

    To Parsi people, the earth and its waterways are sacred. Letting vultures dispose of their dead keeps them from polluting the earth with a corpse.

    It’s an interesting practice, isn’t it? If it weren’t for the vulture/painkiller conundrum, it seems like a good idea for those who want a green burial.    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Mumbai City Tour

    31 januari 2023, Indien ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    The ship gave everyone a free bus tour through the city of Mumbai.

    Our guide described Mumbai as the “New York City of India.” A better description might be, “New York City sprinkled with cows in random places.”

    I’ll make a whole post about the “holy cows,” too, as well as some other specific places we stopped on our tour.

    People were super friendly and many waved at us as we passed by. But talk about crowded. Hoo whee! Just look at all the people crossing the street.

    What a throng!    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Mumbai Air Quality

    31 januari 2023, Indien ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    There’s no way to sugar coat this: The air quality in Mumbai is atrocious!

    I was shocked by how limited the visibility was due to smog. Even my camera had trouble focusing at times; the whole world was a blur!

    After our jaunt through the city, Larry washed his shirt in the sink. (We do laundry by hand when we travel.) This time, however, he called me over to see the water; it was a chocolatey brown, much darker than normal. Yikes!    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Mumbai Streetlife

    30 januari 2023, Indien ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    Rather than take an official tour on our first day in Mumbai, Larry and I decided to explore this hectic city on our own.

    Our official mission was to find a pharmacy, but we were quickly distracted by all the hustle and bustle.

    Not only is Mumbai busy, but the traffic is even crazier than Naples, Italy… and that is saying a lot!

    As we stood in a median trying to figure out when to venture forth, the woman standing beside us leaned over and said, “Excuse me, but you are very beautiful.”

    I returned the compliment, for she was gorgeous, and wearing a colorful dress. We chatted a little and then she took my arm as we crossed the street.

    It was a sweet exchange.

    I know why she thinks I’m pretty, though, and I find it funny. It’s because of my pale skin!

    Unlike most places I’ve been, pale skin is revered in India. As someone who’s often been teased about my hue, this came as quite a surprise on my first trip to to this country.

    In India, pale skin means strangers will openly stare at you. Some will sneak photos of you, while others will ask to have a selfie taken with you.

    I caused quite a few double takes during our visit and one man even blew kisses. Hey, after a lifetime of teasing, it’s nice to be queen for a day!

    We never did find a pharmacy, but we enjoyed many sights in this extremely hectic city. I didn’t have any cash on me or I’d have bought a flute from that one guy.

    I don’t know what the man in the striped shirt was selling, but he kept blowing a little horn to attract attention. As for the man on the bike, he is sharpening knives.

    The guy with the big bundle is carrying sugar cane. If I weren’t worried about hygiene, I’d have tried some of the sugar cane drink they sell at stalls throughout the city.

    Sadly, my photos can’t convey the barrage of sounds and smells of Mumbai. The street food smelled good, though.    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    I’m learning Romanian!

    28 januari 2023, Arabian Sea ⋅ 🌙 73 °F

    After a week of dining alone at a table for six, Larry and I suddenly gained two more dinner companions.

    Usually, the ship places people who speak the same language together, but for some reason, they sat a Romanian couple with us. (They are the only Romanians on the ship.)

    I suppose some Americans would be annoyed by this, but we love it!

    Not only are Constantin and Maria wonderful dinner companions, but with each meal, our language barrier erodes a bit more.

    Last night I was able to hold a rudimentary conversation with them in Romanian. So much fun!

    It helps that Romanian is a Romance Language and many words are quite similar to Italian. It also helps that Constantin and Maria don’t mind my accent or how I butcher their language!

    I am sometimes afraid to attempt speaking another language due to my limited abilities, but on this trip, I’ve even had moments where circumstances required me to attempt German and French.

    Such moments are making me less self conscious when it comes to communicating in a foreign language, something that has often held me back in the past.

    On recent sea days, the ship has been offering Italian lessons. (I’m already an advanced beginner, but I’ve never taken any actual lessons.)

    The ship’s Italian class covers irregular verbs and prepositions, so it’s helpful.

    Plus, when they give handouts, the translations are in English, Portuguese, German, Spanish, and French, so you can learn several languages at Italian class!

    I sit by a German fellow, and it’s a good thing, because he caught a few typos on the German section. They had the word for “pregnant” down for “sister in law,” for instance.

    Meanwhile, I use breakfast as my chance to practice Tagalog with the Filipinos who work the buffet line.

    One morning, I showed up a bit late, so Arnie and Genna weren’t there. Even so, when the head chef saw me, he goes, “I will call your Filipino children over.”

    It would be so fun to show my “Filipino kids” around Texas sometime.

    My Tagalog needs serious work, though. It’s not a Romance language, so I can’t intuit how to work the verbs. I really butcher it!

    With any luck, we’ll have a Tagalog class later in the cruise.

    As for lunch, well, Larry and I skip lunch. On sea days, however, we play Scrabble, so words are still a feature, albeit English ones.

    Up until recently, Larry could never beat me at Scrabble, but I shared all my tricks with him, and now he is a formidable opponent!

    I come from a family of word lovers, so being exposed to so many different languages is a real treat for me!

    If you’re a word lover like me, you might consider taking a cruise with an international line such as Costa. It’s a wonderful learning experience, plus you meet people from all over the world.

    p.s. Here are a couple pics of us and our new friends from last night’s dinner.    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Tropical Fruit

    27 januari 2023, Arabian Sea ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    The ship took on supplies in Oman today and among them was a bounty of tropical fruit.

    I loaded a plate up Noah’s Ark style, with two of everything for Larry and I to try.

    Trouble is, we didn’t even know how to go about eating some of them. Luckily, a kindly Filipino fellow explained what everything was and showed us how to eat them.

    I washed it all down with fresh coconut, as you can see! What a treat.    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Tasty Camel Milk

    26 januari 2023, Oman ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    I may have passed on the “Pocari Sweat,” but I did pick up some camel milk, date milk, and a lemon mint beverage.

    The lemon mint is a bit sweet, but when mixed with seltzer water it’s wonderfully quenching!

    The camel milk is yummy, too. This morning, I had it over ice as a mixer with a beautiful double espresso. So good!

    At home, when I make a weak espresso drink for my grandkids, I call it Cowboy Coffee. (My dad did the same thing for me when I was little, so it’s a family tradition.)

    They love it!

    I suppose, however, since I’m using camel milk that I shall call this beverage, “Bedouin Milk.”

    Tomorrow, I plan to mix an iced espresso with date milk.    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Omani Grocery Store

    26 januari 2023, Oman ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    We asked our cabbie to take us to a regular grocery store. It’s always fun to see what’s for sale around the world.

    Along with the ubiquitous Pringles, several cylinders of which our German companions bought, I saw a sports drink called “Pocari Sweat.”

    As a fan of the movie “Tropic Thunder,” I couldn’t help but think of “Booty Sweat.” In retrospect, I wish I’d bought some just to see what it’s like.

    I’m curious about the name, as well. Who or what exactly is Pocari???    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Frankincense & Perfume

    26 januari 2023, Oman ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    For millennia, Oman has been known for its frankincense and scented oils. (Even today, the most expensive fragrance in the world is made here.)

    Mohammed took us to the local souk today, where I sampled a couple dozen different Omani perfumed oils on my arm.

    After a LOT of sniffing, I chose two scents: Salalah Rose, and Sultan.

    Choosing your scent is only the first step. Next, you much pick a container for them to put some into.

    That was fun, too!

    Most commercial perfumes give me a headache and smell too strong, but these perfumed oils work perfectly for me.

    It’s a tradition for Omani men to wear scented oils, too.

    If you look closely at the photo I shared elsewhere of our cab drive, Mohammed, you’ll notice a little tassel on the collar of his outfit. That is where they dab a little perfume each day.    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Omani Dagger a.k.a. Khanjar

    26 januari 2023, Oman

    Our taxi tour in Oman took us by the Sultan’s palace. There wasn’t much to do except look at the gates and the tall walls.

    As you can see, the Sultan’s shield includes a crown, and two crossed swords topped by a curved dagger.

    That curved dagger is called a “khanjar,” and is one of the most important symbols of this nation.

    The khanjar is featured on Oman’s flag, money, and official seals on important documents.

    Long ago, Omani men wore a khanjar on a belt around their waists, over the traditional white long dishdasha (the long-sleeved robe they wear day to day) in case they needed to defend themselves. Nowadays, men only wear khanjars on special occasions, such as weddings.

    Our friend, Tom, happened upon a big wedding while wandering about Salalah today. Not only did they invite him to enjoy some food, but they posed for photos while wearing their khanjars. (Tom said he will email me a photo of the men wearing their daggers. When he does, I will add that photo to this post.)    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Salalah Taxi Tour

    26 januari 2023, Oman ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    Cabbies around the world are notorious for ripping people off, but in Oman the prices are fixed. You will usually see a sign with the fares to various destinations posted at the taxi station.

    And instead of being accosted by 10 different cabbies, the cabs must wait in line. When it’s their turn, they are waved over by the taxi station master.

    In America, we practically expect cabbies to be immigrants, but in Oman the job is reserved for citizens.

    Our cabbie today was a sweet guy named Mohammed. He took pictures of us at every stop.

    Why? For *his* Instagram page!

    And stupid me forgot to get his IG handle. I’d love to see what he posted. Ah, well…    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    First Glimpse!

    26 januari 2023, Oman ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

    In this one minute video you can enjoy with me the excitement of glimpsing The Treasury in Petra after our hike through the narrow sandstone canyon that leads to the ancient city of Petra.

    Make all the Indiana Jones’ quips you’d like!Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Somalian Pirates

    22 januari 2023, Red Sea ⋅ 🌙 75 °F

    Our dinner table is by a window. The curtains were drawn last night, so I opened them.

    A few minutes later, a security team breezed in, chatting on walkie-talkies. “We found it!” I heard them exclaim as they hastily drew our shades.

    Oops! I forgot we are sailing in an area where Somalian pirates are a concern. The curtains were drawn for a reason.

    The ship sent a letter to each cabin explaining the precautions they would take and where to gather in the event we are boarded.

    For the past two days, we have not been allowed to walk out on the main deck and the ship is not lit up like a Christmas tree at night.

    Security officials stand guard 24/7 on the deck. I’ve seen them peering through binoculars.

    Last time we passed through this area, I could see that the ship was armed with water and sound cannons on either side, as well. I’m not sure this time.

    Even though the threat is a small one, I’m glad they are not taking any chances!    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Jordanian Sunset

    21 januari 2023, Jordanien ⋅ 🌙 50 °F

    Kamal had the bus pull over so we could enjoy a beautiful Jordanian sunset from a mountain top.

    Wonderful way to end the day!

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Toilets of the World

    21 januari 2023, Jordanien ⋅ 🌙 50 °F

    The gift shop was busy, so I was surprised to find an empty stall in the ladies room so quickly.

    When I look in, however, I realized why it was empty!

    Luckily the other stalls featured more conventional toilets.Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Bedouins & Camels

    21 januari 2023, Jordanien ⋅ 🌙 55 °F

    “When you get to the bottom of the Siq, you’ll see a bunch of guys who look like Jack Sparrow,” Kamal told us. “These are Bedouins. And since it’s Saturday, you’ll see kids there, too. School’s out.”

    It’s true. With their kohl rimmed eyes, head scarves, and long jackets, some Bedouins look an awful lot like Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean. I wonder if they inspired Johnny Depp’s garb?

    Up until 1985, many Bedouins lived in the ancient Nabatean caves here in Petra. But that year, after the long lost city became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Jordanian government moved the Bedouins to a nearby village.

    “The Bedouins resented this at first, of course, wouldn’t you?” Kamal explained. “But enough years have gone by that now it’s all good in the hood. The Bedouins are the only ones allowed to sell stuff down here, so they’ve actually got a sweet deal.”

    Camel rides are one thing Bedouins offer in Petra, and ever since I rode on one here, I’ve been fascinated by these amazing creatures. Camels are tailor made for this arid climate, and truly live up to the nickname, “ship of the desert.”

    Kamal shared a few camel facts with us:

    * They can go 6 weeks without water
    * Their ears are “twisty” inside, to keep out sand during sand storms.
    * They are extremely sure footed in rocky terrain, and as I have experienced while riding on one, they can traverse extremely steep inclines with ease.
    * Their pretty long eyelashes also protect them from sand.

    I’m sure there are more cool facts about camels, but that’s all I can remember for now.

    The Bedouins also offer horse rides to the entrance of the Siq, but we didn’t want to miss any of Kamal’s information, so we walked, instead.

    Before leaving us to wander on our own Kamal gave us one more piece of advice, “If you buy something in Jordan, whether it’s from a Bedouin or anyone else, remember that all prices are negotiable. It’s polite to strike a bargain. Have fun with it.”

    On our way out of town, I noticed a place called the Nomad Hotel. It’s facade is a mock up of The Treasury, and it features a nifty mural on the side showing a Bedouin offering flying coffee cups and winged camels.

    Later, I saw a lone Bedouin shepherd with his flock of sheep, all of which nearly blended into the Jordanian landscape completely.    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Petra Cats

    21 januari 2023, Jordanien ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    You know me! I had to touch base with the local felines. This trio reside at the gift shop at the opening of the Siq.

    On our way down, I saw the shop owner petting them and feeding them in back of his store.

    When I passed by again near sunset, they were lounging on little rugs their owner puts out on the rocks for them.

    I think that’s pretty sweet!    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    The Treasury at Petra

    21 januari 2023, Jordanien ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    Al-Khazneh a.k.a. "The Treasury" is a breathtaking sight as you emerge from the rocky canyon and into ancient Petra’s Main Street.

    Despite what you may have seen in “Indiana Jones,” The Treasury does not house the Holy Grail!

    Instead, it’s believed to be a mausoleum for the Nabatean King Aretas IV and was carved in the first century AD.

    The mausoleum contains three burial chambers, but visitors are not allowed inside, and the bodies which were once housed there are long since gone.

    So why is it called “The Treasury,” when it’s actually a tomb? Over the millennia, even locals forgot its true origins.

    In the 1800s, local Bedouins thought the urn you see at the top of the structure contained treasures, so they shot at “The Treasury” until they realized it was merely solid stone.

    Let’s talk about the carvings on The Treasury and what they mean:

    The urn at the top, symbolizes a funeral urn. Ancient Greek soldiers were cremated with their ashes placed in urns. (Victorians also borrowed the urn from the ancient Greeks as a cemetery symbol, but that is another story.)

    The female figure below the urn is the goddess Isis, meant to symbolize fertility.

    Directly beside and behind her are winged Amazon warriors, 6 in total.

    In the niches to the left and right of her are Nikes, which are victory goddesses.

    Below this top section, the building looks like a Greek temple. There are roses and wine glasses engraved here.

    The wine is believed to represent wealth and celebration. Our guide wasn’t sure what the roses stand for.

    On either side of this lower section are two figures on horseback. These are Castor and Pollux (aka the Gemini twins and children of Zeus.)

    Castor and Pollux are also said to protect those who travel, which makes sense here since so many traveled through Petra in its heyday.

    This was my third visit and I hope to return yet again!    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    “Siq” & Ye Shall Find

    21 januari 2023, Jordanien ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    In the 1800s, a British scholar named John William Burgeon described Petra as a, “rose red city, half as old as time.”

    That phrase kept running through my mind as we wound our way through the rugged canyon worn by nature and chiseled by ancient man, a labyrinthine path known as the Siq.

    “Siq” is simply Arabic for a narrow and deep canyon. So much like the Icelandic word, “geyser,” it’s made its way into dictionaries worldwide.

    In some parts, the rocky walls are quite narrow and shadows cool the air. In other parts, it’s fairly wide, maybe 100 feet?

    Thousands of years ago, the Nabateans diverted water and even created channels for livestock. The channel for the animals to drink from are open. You can see it along the side of the siq in some of these photos.

    But who were the Nabateans, anyway?

    The Nabateans were originally a nomadic tribe. They spoke Aramaic, but did not leave any written texts beyond a bit of graffiti. For this reason, everything we know about them has come from other sources.

    At some point, the Nabateans decided to settle down in Petra, which became their capital city. (Exactly when and why are the matter of some debate.)

    The Nabateans actually called their city Raqmu, but the preponderance of sandstone carvings caused the Greeks to call it Petra, meaning “rock,” and the name has stuck.

    Petra’s location was ideal for many reasons.

    For one thing, it was located near major trade routes for spices, incense, and more. It soon became a major hub, and its inhabitants grew wealthy.

    Some residents collected tar from the Red Sea and sold it to Egyptians who used it in their mummification process.

    As desert nomads, the Nabataeans knew how to thrive in the harsh climate. When outsiders attacked, they could easily hide in the labyrinthine canyons and strike back from hidden crevices.

    The Nabateans also figured out clever ways to manage a very precious resource: water. They redirected springs from other areas and stored it for later use. They also dammed areas prone to flooding and created channels for livestock to drink from.

    What an oasis this ancient city must have been for weary desert travelers!

    In 106 AD, the Romans took over Petra. Even so, it remained a thriving city until the 7th century AD. At that point, between a series of earthquakes and the rise of trade via seaports, the demise of this once thriving city soon followed.

    After Petra was abandoned it was nearly forgotten, becoming the stuff of legends for more than a thousand years.

    The city’s exact location remained unknown to the western world until 1812, when Swiss traveller Johann Ludwig Burckhardt disguised himself as an Arab and convinced some Bedouins to take him there.

    These days, Petra is Jordan’s biggest tourist attraction. Personally, I find it enchanting and absolutely gorgeous.    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    World’s Oldest Bar?

    21 januari 2023, Jordanien ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    We ate lunch at the Petra Guest House Hotel. I love Middle Eastern food, and the hummus here was phenomenal.

    Much of the hotel is built into stone. In fact, the bar and courtyard were originally carved by the ancient Nabateans!

    The Cave Bar wasn’t open this early in the day, so I couldn’t peek inside. It bills itself as “the oldest bar in the world,” since it’s housed in an ancient tomb.

    The courtyard and niches on the side were also carved thousands of years ago. Pretty cool that they are still in use.

    As for “Mansafe,” that’s a popular Jordanian dish, “It’s rice, potatoes, herbs, yogurt, and a ton of carbs,” according to Kamal. “So you need a nap after, but it’s really tasty. I like to eat in on the weekend when I can be lazy.”

    The food photos here aren’t the best, but I’m including them as a memory for myself.    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Walk to the Siq

    21 januari 2023, Jordanien ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    After a wonderful lunch, Kamal shepherded us down the stony path to the Rose Red City a.k.a. Petra by calling out, “Yallah, yallah, yallah! Let’s go!”

    We passed a gauntlet of tourist shops along the way, but soon we were surrounded by ancient history.

    Our tickets included a free horse ride to the entrance of the main canyon, but we skipped this.

    We would’ve missed Kamal’s commentary had we done so, as well as missing several tombs that the ancient Nabateans carved into the rocks.

    You can see the Egyptian influence in the tomb with the obelisks on it, but I’ll talk more about that in another post.    Läs mer

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  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Resenär

    Drive to Petra & Jordanian Culture

    21 januari 2023, Jordanien ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    It takes a little over 2 hours to drive from the Port of Aqaba to Petra, but we had a wonderful guide and beautiful scenery to enjoy along the way.

    At one point, a few buses turned off the main road to a single dusty lane. Our guide, Kamal, explained that this shortcut would shave at least 30 minutes off our trip.

    All the more time to explore Petra!

    Jordanians love cinder blocks, it seems, and many buildings have rebar jutting out of the top floor.

    According to Kamal, this is so families can live together. His grandparents, for instance, built a house. His uncle built an apartment on top of it, and his parents built another floor atop that.

    When Kamal was little, if he didn’t like what was for dinner at his parents’ house, he could pop over and see what grandma had made.

    As Kamal pointed out, keeping the family together like this, each living in their own private apartment, is quite handy for both childcare and elder care.

    In addition to rebar, the top floor of most buildings features a solar powered hot water tank. (See photos.)

    Along the way, we stopped at a mountaintop cafe with an astounding rooftop view.

    Not only did they serve Arabian style coffee, but they had plenty of Pringles for sale. Lol!

    I find Jordanian style coffee quite tasty because they add cardamom to it. Yum!

    I’ve yet to figure out how locals tie their head scarves, but it’s a good look.

    Kamal is in his early 40’s and well versed in pop culture. His informative narration was peppered with numerous snarky asides.

    If I didn’t know otherwise, I’d assume Kamal was American. Aside from rolling the occasional r, his accent was flawless.

    I enjoyed learning about life in Jordan, both past and present. Phosphate, potash & tourism are the main industries.

    Unlike other countries in the Middle East, Kamal told us that, “religion is not a big thing here.”

    His family is Muslim, but he has many Christian friends, too. “We don’t fight with each other. You will see churches next to mosques.”

    “And during Ramadan,” he explained, “when Muslims are fasting all day, you will see our Christian friends on the street corner giving us water and dates when sunset comes.”

    “We even do Secret Santa gift exchanges with each other,” he continued. “Is it against our religion? No, it’s just fun.”

    Before we knew it, we’d reached Kamal’s hometown, the hilly town by Petra.    Läs mer

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