An Example of Intercultural Tolerance at the Crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe – Part 1

In addition to 26 kilometers of "living" sea coast, Jordan also has twice as much coastline on the Dead Sea, the surface of which is currently located at 430 meters below sea level. The Dead Sea is visibly disappearing, and the level of the Dead Sea has dropped by as much as 30 meters in the last 40 years alone.

If we stay with geography, it’s also necessary to mention the country’s highest point, the 1,854-meter-high Jabal Umm ad Dami, located in the historic valley known as Wadi Rum, which is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But more than the geography, it is the history of Jordan that makes us decide to visit this Southwest Asian or Middle Eastern country.

Jordan borders the oldest city in the world

The history of Jordan goes back thousands of years and is therefore a real treat for history buffs, as the territory of today's Jordan is home to the oldest settlements and cities in the world; the oldest city in the world, Jericho, which dates back to 9,000 BC, is located just a kilometre or two from one of the two border crossings between Israel and Jordan.

History continues in the Neolithic with the settlement of Ain Ghazal, not far from the Amman airport between 7,000 and 5,000 BC and continues with the Acadian Empire, which at its peak around 2,250 BC spread over a territory ten times larger than present-day Jordan.

About a millennium later, Jordan flourished under the Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose III, and two centuries later the Sea People, whose nationality remains a mystery, left their mark and according to Egyptian records, they consisted of the Sheridan, the Shekels, Lukka, Tursha and Akawasha tribes, which was followed by the Neo-Assyrian Empire and the Persian Achaemenid Empire.

Alexander the Great followed and, of course, the Romans, whose architectural excesses built between 106 and 634 represent the majority of all historical sites. Between the years 634 and 638, Jordan was taken over by Muslim Arabs, who today represent as much as 95% of the entire population.

During a quick walk through history, we should not leave out the role of the Nabataeans, whose masterpiece Petra is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, nor the place where Jesus Christ was baptized, but both will be discussed later on.

Jordan Pass

I hope that this history bit has encouraged you to think about travelling to Jordan, so a couple of practical tips are in order. At the time of my visit, Jordan imposed an additional condition for entry, namely two PCR tests, one of which must be taken in the home country and the other upon arrival at the airport, and payment of the Jordanian PCR test was a requirement for access to the entry form located at www.visitjordan.gov.jo/form/. At the moment, you can fill out the form without paying for the PCR test, which is no longer mandatory, but you can read what will be mandatory during your visit in the same link. The next thing is the Jordanian visa, which is included in the Jordan pass if you spend at least four days in Jordan. The Jordan Pass is an almost indispensable tool for exploring Jordan, with which you can also save a lot, since you will pay 70 Jordanian dinar or JOD (about 90 euros) for it and it already includes a visa (which otherwise costs 40 Jordanian dinar), the entrance fee to Petra (which otherwise costs 50 Jordanian dinar) and many other museums or historical and natural sights, four of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Jordan is also very accessible due to the large number of low-cost airlines with flights whose return ticket prices often don’t exceed 100 euros.

How to travel in Jordan?

Jordan has a well-organized road infrastructure, and public transport is relatively cheap, as the connection between Amman and Aqaba on the Red Sea, 330 km away, costs about 15 euros. At the same time, it should be noted that we can’t always rely on the timetable. But if you want to experience more in a shorter time, especially if you’re travelling in a small group, renting a car is the optimal solution, as rental prices start at 15 euros per day. You can also afford accommodation at moderate prices, especially in Amman, Petra and along the southern beach of Aqaba, where youth hostels are available. In Aqaba, accommodation is available as part of the youth center and hostel by the Red Sea (10 kilometers from Aqaba), for example, for less than 10 euros, and you can get a complete three-bed bungalow with a large bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom for 30 euros. For a moderate price, you can also camp with the Bedouins in the desert or in the Wadi Rum valley. Of course, other forms of accommodation are also available, from private rooms to luxury hotels.

Amman, Petra and Aqaba are the three points from which we can explore the most famous sights of Jordan even without a rented vehicle.

In any case, I recommend making a reservation at least for the first night before your arrival, as you will very likely be asked for the address of your first accommodation at the border and you must also mention it in the entry form.

Harmony of flavors

This is the best description of Jordanian cuisine because you will find almost everything in Jordan, and almost every major bakery will surprise you with its culinary excesses. Jordan is famous for both Arabic food and seafood specialties; and vegetarians and vegans will also enjoy it, as there are many traditional dishes without meat or ingredients of animal origin. In addition to "serious food", Jordan is also famous for its numerous nut shops and pastry shops, which are a feast for the eyes. And if you were convinced that there is only one version of baklava, the very first pastry shop will shake that belief because there will be quite a few variations to choose from and, in addition to baklava, there’s also a wide range of other desserts.

Of course, you’ll also need money for all the culinary and other adventures, so here are some money tips as well. Credit and debit cards are accepted in Jordan, but cash is preferred, at least in smaller shops and restaurants; and in some places payment by card isn’t possible at all. Due to the stable national currency, the Jordanian dinar (abbreviated JOD), with the conversion of 1.25 euros at the time of my visit, paying in euros or dollars isn’t the most common either. That's why it makes sense to exchange money, and at the time of my visit, by far the best exchange rate was in Western Union branches (but not franchises). Unlike some other countries, withdrawing money from an ATM isn’t the best option in Jordan, as all ATMs have relatively high fixed fees, which make up a rather high percentage, especially for small amounts of money, to which you also need to add your bank's fee.

This is where I conclude the first part of the travelogue and invite you to get to know Jordan through personal experience. Until the next issue, I invite you to visit 14 historical, cultural and natural attractions or museums on the excellently prepared portal, right from the comfort of your home.