I’m back to the US after a hectic 20-hour trip from my parent’s place in Amman to our apartment in Maryland. The 13-hour Royal Jordanian flight from Amman to Chicago was long — way too long. I was — and still am — suffering from a nasty cold that left me coughing and sneezing for the duration of the trip. It was truly awful. As for traveling RJ, everyone on the plane was animated as usual. For some reason, the concept of reading on the plane is practically non-existent amongst the majority of RJ travelers. As a result, everyone was quite sociable and chatty, making the idea of taking a nap almost impossible.
Anyway, enough ranting about Jordan’s national carrier. The best thing about traveling with RJ is that everyone on the plane claps upon landing. Quick question: Is this only a Jordanian tendency? Don’t get me wrong; I really like it. When arriving at Chicago’s airport, the immigration official there told me "welcome home." That was when it hit me. I left home to go back home! This is my existence nowadays. I live in limbo, with my heart divided between two different places. It’s really an overwhelming and -– sometimes — trying existence!
Meanwhile, here in Maryland, the spring is just wonderful. The weather is very pleasant and the cornucopia of spring colors is simply breathtaking. Yes, I’m really glad to be back.
If I were to evaluate the two weeks I spent in Jordan, I would say that they were simply wonderful in every sense of the word. The most important thing for me was the quality time spent with my family. As for my assessment of the capital Amman, it seems to be doing really well. Money seems to be pumping into this city, as it becomes more cosmopolitan by the day. Construction is taking place literally everywhere. Brand spanking new projects are mushrooming up all over the place and the talk of foreign investments is continual.
Even my friends who mange their own businesses in the city seem quite content and optimistic. They assured me that new projects are being handed to them all the time and that their business is booming. However, everyone was complaining about the hike in gas prices in Jordan. I was shocked to realize that nowadays filling my old Kia Pride with gas requires double the amount I used to pay only a few years ago.
During my visit, I could not get myself acquainted with all the security checks taking place all over -– an aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Jordan last November. One shocking and unusual scene was finding a security guard in front of our church on Easter morning. I asked my sister about the unusual scene and she told me it was nothing compared to last Christmas when a number of police cars were parked outside the church during the service. It was really sad to realize that churches are among the potential targets in Jordan. Churches, of all things; churches that are attended by no other than Jordanians themselves.
Anyway, on a totally different subject I’m glad to announce that I returned armed with all the goodies that make life worth living: Baklava, Turkish coffee, Jameed, Arabic spices and nuts. Happy times await!
Yehoshua,
I found your comments about America quite insulting. I for one am quite proud to be an American. I have been on many flights, both national and international, and have found that no matter whom you are with, people can be annoying. The comments you have made can be true of anyone in the world. I am so sick and tired of people trashing the United States and its citizens. I have been to Baltimore and I love it! I wouldn’t feel comfortable walking anywhere, in any city, alone at 9pm on any given night. I am from, and currently live, in the Boston area and I wouldn’t move for anything in the world. I love it.
I disagree with many of the American policies, especially when it comes to the Middle East; however, I am insulted by the insinuations that you make. I do not think that those in the Middle East have it better than the Americans do. I won’t pretend to know everything that is going on over there, but I don’t think that they are any better than Americans are, just as much as I don’t think than Americans are better than they are. I judge people not on their heritage, but for their character. If you are a good, non-judgmental person, than I think you are great. But, if you live life by judging others (as many Americans as well as Middle Easterners do) than I have no use for you. People are people, no matter where you are from. One can’t walk anywhere at 9pm and feel safe. I’ve been all over Europe and have witnessed the dangers of the world. I can’t speak for other parts of the world, but find it difficult to believe that it would be any different than it is in the United States.
So, before you go insulting Americans, I suggest you look at mankind in itself. Yes, there are Americans that just aren’t good people, but you’ll find that in any part of the world that you go to.
Again, I’m so sick and tired of people blaming America for the world’s problems. Trust me, I am by no means a fan of American policies towards the rest of the world, but we aren’t the sole providers of the world’s problems, and I wish that people would recognize that.
Arabs should absolutely not be negative or ashamed of their heritage, but I don’t think that Americans should be either. We should all be proud of who we are, who our ancestors are, and where we come from. My ancestors came from Ireland and Italy and I’m damn proud of that. But, before anything else, I’m and American and as much as I disagree with much of the government’s politics, I’m proud of it!
Natasha, lovely to know you made it home safe and sound, but you’re missed here in Jordan! Wish I got to see you more than just that one time, but the days will come. Take care babe, and stay in touch! Missing you for sure… 🙂
Natasha,
Once, on my way to Kentucky to vist my uncle, everyone on the plane clapped, but now when we landed, only when the free drinks and peanuts were being passed out.
By they way, you just left and my parents just lnaded in Jordan and my mom is already saying how much she loves it and vows to back next year taking all of us with her and every year.
They are staying at the Royal Hotel and she said its a really nice place and the people that work there are so kind, the kindest you would ever meet.
Regarding applause upon landing, it doesn’t only happen on RJ. I took a flight in Indonesia once on Garuda Indonesia without realizing that it was then listed as one of the world’s five most dangerous airlines. The engines pulsated and groaned unnaturally and there was literally smoke coming through the air conditioning vents. The flight attendants seemed calm enough, so my wife and I tried not to worry. However, when the plane finally landed all the Indonesians on board applauded and cheered. Somehow, I don’t think the applause on RJ happens for the same reasons.
Hope that yr flight back was good , and it was a real pleasure meeting u 🙂
CheeerZ!
I took A Continental flight from L.A to Malaysia last month where the majority of travelers were “white” Americans-Maybe some other nationalities. No one was reading a book and the majority was quite sociable. A group of teenage girls were storming the flight by their ugly voices while singing. An old traveler kept throwing up leaving the plane stinks and sickening. The flight attendants were by all means rude. This is much worse in comparison to the RJ flight I took to Amman in 2002. RJ was clean and its crew was professional and well mannered. On the contrary to everyone I talked to, the crew did smile and was all responsive. As to the passengers, they were all neat, polite, and sociable. We in America have reached the moon and yet we find difficulty walking a block to meet a new neighbor. The friendliness and warmth of Jordanians is something I envy them for. I wish all Americans can be a little similar, away at least from their psychological intricate.
Moreover, Maryland is a state where everybody is trying to leave. I was raised in Baltimore and have no good feelings for that place. Can you walk at 9 pm alone in Downtown Baltimore on a weekday, where 60% of the population is composed of crack-heads, jobless, welfare recipients? I bet you can walk at 9 pm in Amman with no problem! I can’t imagine how you took the officer’s words so passionately about Maryland. I am an American who studies foreign affairs with emphasis in Middle Eastern politics, and it hits me always how Arabs in general are so repulsive and ignorant about their culture and how better off they are, sometimes.
Welcome home, Natasha! Looking forward to seeing you soon, Mom & Dad T
Natasha,
You should consider a sideline importing Jordanian foods & specialty items into the U.S. I’m sure there are many Arab expatriates who miss the taste of home. A side business would be a good way of making money for a house in Maryland which (as I know you are well aware) isn’t cheap. Nobody gets rich being a journalist (unless you’re Bob Woodward). 🙂
I think you should go. Jordan has changed a lot during the past few years. You’d be surprised!
Welcome back ! You made me re-think of going to Jordan for a visit. It has been now five years since my last when I “harramet”, should I really go?
For non-Arabic readers: “Harramet” = vowed not to go back; otherwise, I should divorce my wife!.