Downtown Amman: Tips & Advice
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Images by Traveler - Talented Photographer: Ronald Woan /https://goo.gl/shHDHe |
You’re now in Amman . The sun is
shining, aromas from the Turkish coffee stalls fill up your lungs. All of a
sudden you get this rush of excitement; you want to start exploring this
beautiful city! You’ve read tour pamphlets, surfed the internet but you ask the
locals where to begin and more often than not they’ll reply with “Downtown!”. And they’re not wrong.
In this post we’ll give you a few tips and pieces of advice on where to go and
what to see.
The first thing you’ll
want to do is pick out your outfit for Downtown or the Balad. Even
though Amman is
an exceptionally modern city with so many different cultures, women can go out
in skirts or tank tops, the Balad is a traditional area, think Aladdin’s souq
with people selling their products on stalls and in shops. The less skin one
shows the better. I would choose a pair
of loose jeans with a long sleeve cotton shirt. Don’t forget to wear
comfortable shoes because there will be a lot of walking too.
You’re dressed and
ready to go. Finding a taxi to take you to the Balad will be easy. Depending on
which area you are staying in. The cab fare should range from 3-6 JOD.
You’re finally there,
the sounds, smells, tastes and scenery will bring an instant smile to your face.
There really isn’t a specific place to start, once you arrive you just begin to
roam around. They offer everything from souvenirs, scarves, traditional dresses
to bicycles, kitchen utensils and old music cassettes. I’m going to give you some tips to make your
Balad experience more pleasurable.
Tip # 1.
Haggle, haggle haggle.
I cannot say this enough. Forget your pal who’s stuck with you throughout the
hard times, haggling is your new best friend.
All shop keepers will welcome you with a smile, probably offer you
refreshments and ask where you’re from to find some common ground between you
both. Jordan
is famous for its hospitality but there’s a chance that if they know you’re a
tourist they’ll give you a higher price but never fear! Once they see you
haggling they’ll know that you’re aware of what’s going on and usually will
give you a better price so everybody leaves happy.
Tip # 2.
If you’re planning on
visiting the historic sites such as Petra ,
Wadi Rum and Jerash I advise that you purchase a “Keffiye” or “Shemagh”(the
traditional white and black or red and white head dress) from the Balad. More
often than not purchasing these from the actual historic sites will cost
more. So when you arrive in Petra you’re already
prepared and saved a couple of JD’s.
Tip #3.
There’s nothing like a
cup of fresh squeezed OJ in the morning right? WRONG. When you go to the balad
grab a cup of freshly made sugarcane juice. That’s right. It’s smooth silky
texture will keep you refreshed and at 36 calories per serving it’s good for
you too!
Tip #4.
Last but not least
grab lunch at the Al-Quds (Jerusalem )
restaurant. It’s mix matched plate settings and delicious menu will fill you up
while admiring this fifty year old restaurants, one of the oldest in Amman . Order the Mansaf!
With these simple tips
it’ll make your Balad experience that more enjoyable! Happy Souq-ing!
Downtown Amman: Tips & Advice
Reviewed by Unknown
on
03:05
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