Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan. It is a modern city built on a vast long history of sands. This being present makes Amman a very unique contrast between old and new. In the centre of the commercial part of the city, there is a complex of ultra-modern buildings, smart restaurants and art galleries that blends into traditional coffee shops and quaint artisan workshops showing that the older part is certainly present. Due to Amman having this modern prosperity and pleasant climate it means that almost half of Jordan’s population lives in the area. The suburbs of Amman have an abundance of streets with trees that almost give them their shape. Set back beyond the trees you will find white stone houses that all look exactly the same set in a uniform fashion. Interestingly this is due to the law that Amman is obliged by whereby all houses must be built with the local stone, explaining the similarity of the streets. Walk into downtown and as mentioned earlier you will feel like you have entered another city entirely with a more traditional feel about it. You might find small businesses selling anything from jewellery to groceries. One of the highlights of your visit to Amman might be experiencing an impressive Roman theatre there. With a capacity of around 6000 people, it is a great opportunity for photographs, best taken in the soft morning light. However, visiting here at sunset where you get beautiful colours is definitely worth a try. Altogether Amman welcomes its visitors and Is a great place to go to get a taste of Jordan’s culture.
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Amman Douwntown
Any visit to Amman is simply not complete without a visit to the Downtown area. It has a completely different atmosphere to the surrounding hills that is unmissable. The buzz of street life that it has is something that no other city has to offer. It is the centre where almost everything happens and is the heart and soul of Amman. You might not know what to expect but to give you a sense, it is the stereotypical Middle Eastern city with busy roads, noise and the smell of car exhausts. The small number of roman ruins that remain within the city are now incorporated into everyday life with the Roman Theatre often being an escape for the locals. You often spot them sitting together to escape the noise from the downtown and get some sense of peace during their hectic lives. However, for someone who has never experienced this before, you will want to soak up every bit of culture you can get. Al Balad, one of the oldest parts of downtown Amman is one of the most interesting parts of the city. You will be able to meet the local Jordanian people and explore the artisan products from the abundant stores that fill the area. Coffee shops and restaurants are also a big part of the area that is buzzing with atmosphere whether it be for a morning coffee or an evening meal. It allows you to walk around the safe and friendly part of the downtown to find out a little more about the local traditions and culture.
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Reflections from the road: transformative ‘Big Trip’ experiences
Whether it’s a gap year after finishing school, a well-earned sabbatical from work or an overseas adventure in celebration of your retirement, a big trip is a rite of passage for every traveller, with myriad life lessons to be ...
