Petra & Amman Jordan Day 2
Petra & Amman Jordan
Day 2 - Monday November 22, 2004 - Amman
As the flight progressed eastward, we were able to sleep for several hours so we woke up more refreshed. I had a light breakfast at 10 AM Egypt time (1 AM Colorado). We talked to the Emmons who had decided to stay in the front, they did not sleep much but seemed bright and eager to start our adventure.
They noted several other passengers on the flight who were with OAT and probably going with us to Jordan. Our flight landed at 12 Noon and we deplaned, got on the last bus to the terminal - us, an Egypt family, and another American. We did have to walk through a slight drizzle from the aircraft (Boeing 777) and the bus.
We were taken to the terminal, shuttled to the In-Transit Lounge, entered a secure area, and then had to give up our passports and tickets - this made us VERY CONCERNED. They did tell us to check in at 3 PM or so and we would get all our paper work when we were ready to leave.
We went upstairs to the very modern and spacious passenger waiting area and found restrooms, a coffee shop and lounge chairs. We got a table and a couple of Egyptian Cokes and sat down to start this journal. After we were done with the majority of this portion of the trip, Gennie and I went to the internet café to send a note to our son Eduardo that we were safe in Cairo.
The information officer on duty was very helpful and friendly as were all the other people in the airport. We went back upstairs to the transit lounge that was very new and clean, an enormous area with expansive windows overlooking the tarmac. I began a conversation with two women, mother and daughter, who I had photographed.
When I asked them if they were Egyptians, they said, no they were Iraqis. They were flying to Amman as we were. They planned to spend two days in Jordan and then contact their drivers who knew a safe route to Baghdad to take them home. It was very INTERESTING to hear their perspective of these difficult times in their country.
At 5 PM we went to our gate, passed through security again, and got on a bus to take us to our plane. We had to show our passport and boarding passes to get on the bus and then again to get on the plane. The flight was full, several seats were duplicated and overbooked. It was a short 45 minute hop to Amman where we landed in a rainstorm. The first rain they have had in 8 months!
Once off the plane we were met by a OAT representative who got us through immigration and then took us to luggage. We met our other tour members (14 total). Our luggage was wet but no real damage. He contacted a luggage cart and porter and got him to take all of our baggage to meet our tour guide Samir, a very distinguished, 55 year old in a full length leather jacket.
It was 44 degrees outside. We got into our 16 passenger mini-bus and were on our way to Amman, 30 miles away. While on the trip over, Samir gave is a brief overview of our itinerary, the hotel, the places we were going to visit, and some other thoughts about his country.
We checked into our hotel (Golden Tulip) in Amman and at 8:45 we had a very good buffet dinner at the hotel restaurant. At 9:45 we returned to our room - 619 - and finished this journal and got ready for bed. The hotel also has wi-fi internet so I will go down to try it at the lobby.
Golden Tulip Grand Palace Hotel - 4 Stars - Business Center
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