Jordan 2011

We landed at Queen Alia around 5:15 local time. Got our visas and luggage and headed out to get our rental car. We met up with Mohammed of Budget Rent-a-car, and got the keys to a Hyundai Elantra. Also, Aki tried to get a prepaid SIM card for her IPhone, but the phone wasn't unlocked for international use. We need to remember to do that next time.

With no map in hand and only verbal directions from Mohammed, we headed out to find the city of Madaba. The quickest way there is to take the Airport Road toward Amman, then take a turn toward Madaba.

After a stop at a gas station to make sure we were going the right way, we finally entered the Madaba city limits. At an intersection, some kids were knocking on our car door trying to sell us some Jordanian flags. They wouldn't go away until the light turned green!

After driving aimlessly in the city for awhile looking for the hotel, we stopped to ask a guy for directions. He offered to get in the car and lead us to the hotel. So nice of him! Once we figured out how to get there, we dropped the guy off at his house, and went back.

We were tired after our long flight, but our stomachs were telling us to get something to eat before bed. We ended up walking to Haret Jdoudna near the city center, one of the best restaurants in Jordan. The food was delicious, although I ordered the wrong thing. Aki's lamb was so good!