Amman, Jordan was our last place to visit. We arrived March 20th and stayed at our last beautiful hotel called La Meridian Hotel. This hotel was under renovations. The remodeling caused us to take the freight elevator; the dinningroom was located to a couple of smaller rooms towards the back of the building. However, our room was lovely! We walked into our room and right off couldn't find a light switch. After trying every knob and switch, I finally called the front desk. I was informed there was a box on the wall to the right when you walk through the door. Slide your key card down and the lights will turn on. And they did!
The bathroom included a big closet, dressing room and in the bathroom itself, a bathtub that was very long, narrow and very deep. For Jim, taking a shower, was no problem; for me it was a matter of getting out, that is after I got into the tub. By this time my legs and other things had developed which were problematical and I kept telling myself; "This too shall pass!"
Our first morning in Jordan, I awoke early. I saw something very strange! Out of our hotel window I could see men coming from all different directions and they would line up across the street waiting for a cab. They did not crowd or push each other, they would just form a line. Each new one to arrive would take his place at the end of the line all facing the road. When a cab would come, however many as could, would leave the line and climb in. Those left, would move down. Very orderly; very quiet and well mannered. Once, while we were watching, they all got out their little mats and got down on them to pray. All facing the same direction. They looked very intent and peaceful. No Jihad was evident! No aparent evil! Very puzzling!
March 21st we toured Amman! Our bus had a policeman riding with us. He slept most of the time. We saw only the nice parts of town. We passed the villas, which were beautiful homes with small fenced yards. Mostly dignitaries live in these. We passed a Palestinian refugee camp. It was not the terrible place our news media say they are. These camps looked just like the rest of the Jordanian neighborhoods. We also went to a place called Koresh. These were ruins that were being well kept as we assume it was important to them.
We had lunch at a Bedouin restaurant. There were just as many men serving as there were people to be served. Couldn't imagine how much it cost to cover all the overhead. We sat at round tables with a lazy susan placed in the center and lower than the place settings. First they served fruit and fruit drinks. Wasn't bad! They served lamb prepared in many various ways. Some were twisted and tiny and look like little turd's. The flavor was okay but didn't look appetizing. Needless to say our lunch experience was interesting and alarming for me.
We saw a Bedouin encampment. A tarp stretched over fifty gallon drums for tents. You had to crawl to move around inside. They had many camels so they were not poor. The average camel was worth $1000.00. By our standards they would need at least 50 to get by for a year.
That evening many of our party signed up to go to a bar that had belly dancers. One of the main requisites was that you had to wear dress shoes. Not sure about anything else that was to be worn but it didn't matter to Jim and me because we weren't going anyway.
By this time we were looking forward to our departure from the middle east. By this time we were beginning to experience home sickness. "Be patient, therefore brethren, until the coming of the Lord." James 5:7 Being patient is a virture; Being patient is to be commended; Being patient is a requirement as we wait upon the Lord. However, "We have seen the purpose of the Lord and how He is compassionate and merciful." James 5:11c Being in these countries has given us a new perspective on home and where the heart is. By Jane Ann Crenshaw 9/29/09
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