I actually made the trip to Jordan about a month ago. I wanted to show you all Kuwait first so that you could get a sense of exactly how refreshing it was to leave for a few days. Unfortunately, I'm not a great photographer and I didn't want to post pictures of random construction and trash piled on street corners, so all you'll see here are pictures of Jordan.
The biggest difference that most people are probably aware of is that while alcohol is illegal in Kuwait, in Jordan it's fair game (yes, I did hit the duty free shop when I got there). Other than that, the first thing I noticed was when I took my first step out the airport doors. The air was cool and refreshing, and there was no heavy humidity. While I was there, the high temperature ranged from 70-85F (as opposed to the 110F+ weather in Kuwait).
The crazy thing (both in Jordan and in Kuwait) is that there aren't many crosswalks, so if you want something on the other side of the street, prepare to play live Frogger. For some reason I was a lot braver in Jordan than I am in Kuwait and I crossed the street in moving traffic several times.
The only thing I had time to go see on this trip was the Dead Sea. From the shores of the Dead Sea, I could see Jerusalem, Jericho, and the Jordan River (or if you're a fan of The Ten Commandments, "the River Jordan"). On the way there we passed Mt. Nebo. POP QUIZ: What is Mt. Nebo known for? (It took me about an hour, but I figured it out on my own... you can too!)
Anyway, here are a few pictures of my trip to the Dead Sea...
All in all, it was a great trip. I do plan to go back though because I want to visit Petra (right - you may recognize it from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - its the city built into the cliffs, and yes, its in Jordan!). My next trip is going to be to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and maybe, just maybe, before then I'll have some pictures of Kuwait to share that are worth seeing.
The biggest difference that most people are probably aware of is that while alcohol is illegal in Kuwait, in Jordan it's fair game (yes, I did hit the duty free shop when I got there). Other than that, the first thing I noticed was when I took my first step out the airport doors. The air was cool and refreshing, and there was no heavy humidity. While I was there, the high temperature ranged from 70-85F (as opposed to the 110F+ weather in Kuwait).
Our hotel was in downtown Amman. Not the worst place I ever stayed, but far from the best. It was a block from a liquor store and a block (in the opposite direction) from a Papa John's. I should have taken a picture of the Gideon Bible next to the copy of the Koran in my hotel nightstand, but alas, the pizza had all my attention.
After sufficiently stuffing myself with pizza and relaxing with Stella, I went out for a little walk around the mall next door. I didn't actually shop anywhere, but I have no doubt that I could've spent a good chunk of change at some of the stores. There were several outlets, and a couple Starbucks - which I did hit for my Carmel Macchiato and a "Jordan" coffee mug.
The only thing I had time to go see on this trip was the Dead Sea. From the shores of the Dead Sea, I could see Jerusalem, Jericho, and the Jordan River (or if you're a fan of The Ten Commandments, "the River Jordan"). On the way there we passed Mt. Nebo. POP QUIZ: What is Mt. Nebo known for? (It took me about an hour, but I figured it out on my own... you can too!)
Anyway, here are a few pictures of my trip to the Dead Sea...
Its not very clear, but this sign was posted at sea level, and in the valley depicted is where the Dead sea is - about 390m below sea level, and the lowest point on earth.
Here's another sea level marker.
The shore line is covered in crystallized salt, and the water is actually heavy with it.
As you can see, the sand on the beach is mostly salt crystals.
Like I said, you can't see it really well, but that's Jericho on the far shoreline. I tried to get a decent picture of Jerusalem, but no luck.
Apparently the Dead Sea also has a high concentration of minerals so there are health spas up and down the Jordan side of it. Everywhere I turned I think I saw a pamphlet on the "healing properties" of it. On the way back to Amman, our driver stopped at a gift shop that sold all kinds of skin care products that supposedly came from the Dead Sea.
All in all, it was a great trip. I do plan to go back though because I want to visit Petra (right - you may recognize it from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - its the city built into the cliffs, and yes, its in Jordan!). My next trip is going to be to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and maybe, just maybe, before then I'll have some pictures of Kuwait to share that are worth seeing. 