Katherine Goes to Jordan

Jerash, JordanRiding a Camel in Petra, Jordan

As I stepped off the plane in Amman, Jordan, I was immediately greeted by a wall of dry heat. Having lived in Egypt the previous year, I was familiar with that feeling of dry, hot air filling up my lungs! After the initial heat shock (this was Jordan in August so I should have been prepared for it!), I took in my surroundings and was stunned. The landscape on the drive from the airport to Amman was beautifully barren, yet every once in a while I would see a family of Bedouin, still living nomadically by the side of the highway. I noticed that, in addition to their camels, some of the Bedouin also had pickup trucks, and satellite dishes on the tops of their tents!

I traveled to Jordan as part of a larger trip to the region. While I was in Amman, I met with Salma Al Zoubi, United Planet’s In-Country Coordinator. We currently send volunteers to Amman to work on two different projects – the first is teaching basic and conversational English to Bedouin young adults (ages 18-25 years). This is a unique opportunity to learn more about the Bedouin people and their way of life – something not many people get the chance to do. The second project allows volunteers to help out in the Amman office of an international NGO. This is a great chance for volunteers to get ‘internship’ experience abroad and see how NGOs operate in the Middle East.

I just want to say this before I write anything further: I LOVE Jordan! The people, the hospitality, the food, the history, the culture – all of it is truly wonderful and I had an amazing time there. Salma immediately adopted me as her new daughter and made me feel so comfortable and well looked-after. She is such a warm and loving person, and treats every volunteer as part of her own family. This seemed true of everyone I met in Jordan, where hospitality is a big part of the culture. I felt welcomed and accepted by everyone I met.

Amman is an incredible city – originally built on seven hills (or jebels in Arabic), it now covers almost 20 hills and combines ancient monuments with modern buildings. Amman was the original Philadelphia, so named by the Hellenic ruler Ptolemy II of Egypt –although man has lived in Jordan, and specifically Amman, since the Neolithic period (about 8500 BC). The Archaeological Museum in Amman, located at the ancient Roman Citadel, contains a myriad of treasures and artifacts stretching far back into history, including examples of the priceless Dead Sea Scrolls (these were my favorite!).

Jordan holds many historical sites within its borders, the most famous of which is probably the stone city of Petra, hewn from the pink sandstone by the ancient Nabataeans. This is a must-see for any visitor to Jordan. It is a World Heritage Site and was recently named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It is a vast site and you could spend many days there, so if you go make sure you take water and a good map! Petra is just one of a multitude of wonders in Jordan. Of course, the Dead Sea is another destination for many travelers, although my personal favorite was Mount Nebo. Mount Nebo is the ancient biblical site from which God is supposed to have showed Moses the ‘Promised Land’. You can walk to the top of Mount Nebo where there is a church dedicated to Moses, but the main attraction and reason for its appeal is the amazing view from its summit. Looking out from the top you can see out over Jordan, the Dead Sea, Israel and the Occupied Territories and on good days you can also see the Golan Heights. It is truly a remarkable view and well worth visiting.

My travels to Jordan were eye opening and educational for me. I felt that I gained a unique insight into the culture and loved every minute of my time there. I cannot wait to go back!

Volunteer Abroad With United Planet!