Amazing Amman

A June 2000 trip to Amman by maitre2pitza

Quote: Amman is an ancient city in conflict with its role as a major arab city in the Middle East and a world dominated by western technology and values. Ancient buildings stand next to modern structures.

Amazing Amman

Overview

Quote:

Look in any map or in any Bible you find and you'll find Amman (or as it was known in Roman times, Philadelphia). Day trips to Petra and the Dead Sea are a must, as are tours of the Roman sector of the city.Quick Tips: At the airport stop at the first currency exchange and secure some Dinars. It is about a half mile hike to the immigration/customs area. When you get there you must pay an arrival fee in dinars. Most people find this out after the walk and a 20 minute wait in line. Get your visa early. Almost every one on my flight was compaining about the delays in securing a visa.Best Way To Get Around: Taxi, taxi, taxi. This is one place I would not want to find my was aroun...Read More

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Roman ampitheatre

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction

Quote:

Three things impressed me. The first place I visited was the restoration sight on the top of the hill overlooking the amphitheatre. Rarely have I felt the connection to history as I did here. It was easy to imagine looking down on a crowd entering the amphitheatre for a sporting event. The second place visited was the amphitheatre itself. I was surprised with how steep the steps were. I sat about ¾ of the way to the top and just closed my eyes trying to turn back the clock by 2000 years. As I sat there with my eyes closed I thought people had stepped right in front of me and were talking. When I opened my eyes, I found that they were down on the main floor. Incredible acoustics. The third thi...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on February 26, 2001

Roman ampitheatre
Roman section of Amman
Amman, Jordan

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Ancient City of Petra

Attraction | "Petra"

Quote:

I had seen Petra on television and in movies. I knew it was an ancient city carved into the rocks of a cliff. I was not prepared for the scale of the city. Massive building facades carved out of pure rock. There is a stillness in the air and you feel a connection with people who lived and died here centuries ago. I had a private guide who skillfully showed me as much as I could take in.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 25, 2001

Ancient City of Petra
Petra Gates To El Khasneh
Ma'an Governorate, Jordan

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Dead Sea

Attraction

Quote:

The cab ride from Amman was interesting. There was an extreme difference in temperature. In Amman it was sunny and about 55 degrees F. As we descended toward the Dead Sea I felt like I was traveling from Pennsylvania to Florida. The temperature and humidity increased as we lost altitude. The cab driver explained that the warmer temperatures supported the agricultural activities, which were prevalent. I was surprised to see several camels along the road. Off in the distance I could see the Jordan River and beyond smoke rising from the city of Jerico. At the Dead Sea there was a beach type resort where they had facilities for changing into a bathing suit and for showering afterwards. It’s true, ...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on February 25, 2001

Dead Sea
35Km Southeast of Jerusalem
Judean Desert, Israel
+972 8668 8808

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Arrival

Best Of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Quote:

I had never flown Royal Jordanian. I boarded in Frankfurt with a group of educators going to some sort of convention. They were out of their seats during the entire flight passing around food from 15 or 20 different countries. As we approached Amman, it seemed that we were going to land right in the middle of the dessert. I couldn't see a city anywhere. The sand began to show signs of green as we came closer to the runway, and then we were down. Luckily I was sitting to a man who had traveled to Amman many times before. He gave me the tip to change some money for dinars near the gate. I changed my money and then as I approached immigration I saw the stream of my fellow travelers heading back t...Read More