Well, I’m back in Amman, Jordan and I have to admit it feels surreal. I still cannot believe that I am physically here in my hometown surrounded by familiar faces and sounds. The 12-hour direct flight from New York to Amman was smooth although I could not sleep thanks to the continuous yelling and screaming of the bazillions of children who were on the plane.
As soon as I arrived at Queen Alia Airport, I got into my usual ritual: Jumping into intense arguments with those that smoke and exhale right in front of my face while awaiting luggage to show up. This time, though, the argument was more heated than usual, as one man accused me of being "too American" and trying to impose rules on him similar to those he just ran away from. He said he was someone who couldn’t wait to come back to Jordan so he can break rules and be happy. Makes sense!
One quick question: Is there any airport left in the world besides Queen Alia where people can still smoke freely and get away with it? I’m just wondering!
I got over this incident quickly as soon as I saw my family at the airport. At that moment, nothing else mattered. When I got home, I was greeted by a marvelous feast of all my favorite dishes: Stuffed zucchini and grape leaves, Ouzeh, stuffed potatoes and others. Life is sweet!
There is no place like home. Enjoy!
Kuwait and Cairo airports deserve a place on the top 10 list of airports crammed with smokers.
Natasha welcome back to Jordan! What a nice suprise to learn you’re here – I hope I finally get to meet you this time! You picked a great time to come back; Spring is in the air and everything looks fresh and vitalized!
I’ve finally set up my own blog, or at least trying to join the masses! Let me know what you think, and how long will you be in Amman? Coffee’s on me!
I think most of us who come back from the US have the same argument with the smokers, or in my case really try hard to limit the confrontation by just rolling my eyes at them. You may have notice that they usually congregate right under the “No Smoking” signs and puff away disregarding everyone around them. Ahhh, what would Jordan be without that unique smell!
I was going to say Baghdad International is a riot (no pun intended). But maybe Paki airports deserve such a recognition after all.
OMG! This is too funny. My mom and dad are going to jordan end of april. they got their tickets and are packing away. hehehe.
my mom has not been back there since 79 i believe and my dad since 87 or 88 so i cant wait to hear their reaction about everything, especially the smoking since they have been living in smoke free Los Angeles for the past thirty years. hahahaha cant wait.
welcome back, what’s Ouzeh?? sounds delicious ….
It sucks to see people smoking in the airport, but go visit public hospitals and see doctors smoking inside clinics, it’s not a civilised scene!
No, Queen Alia airport is not by far the worst of them in the world. Any airport in Pakistan could easily top it.
Keep posting from Jordan. I like to hear about things there. Thanks.
My RJ flight to Amman was exactly the same. Maybe they should find some way to advertise it as a perk. “Royal Jordanian, where the plane also serves as a children’s playpen!” And then there was the woman who feel asleep in the aisle…