May 2

May 2 "12 More Different Activities to Do In/Nearby Amman!" by Laura G.

Marhaba!

This is my second time writing a blog about different places to visit or activities to do in or nearby Amman so if you didn’t see the first one, please make sure to check it out:

Name of First Blog: 12 Different Activities to Do Around Amman!

Here are 12 MORE different places, events, and activities I suggest doing around Amman to experience Jordanian Culture, meet other Jordanians, and/or practice your Arabic!

Hover your mouse over the photos to see the captions :)

Activity #1

A table of different Arabic words with checkmarks, circles, and small notes in English written in pencil in the margins. — Try a New Jordanian/Arab Dish Every Time! This is personally my favorite activity because it is so easy and fun. Write down all the traditional dishes like a bucket list to cross off. Here are some I got from class and crossed off as I did them, but there are more! Look each one up on the internet and ask your host family if it is something they usually make. If it is, it means you will get the opportunity to try it for free! Otherwise, ask where the best place is to buy the dish from and go with friends! Order multiple dishes and split them to try multiple at once! More dishes to add to the list that aren’t in the photo: قدرة – أوزي – ملفوف – مفركة بيض – مسبحة – ساندويس كعك – فلافل – شورما – فخار دجاج – فتة دجاج – سمبوسك - صيادية. Photo credit: Laura G. 2023.

Activity #2

2 plates of knafeh topped with large amounts of cream and crushed pistachios. — Do a DIY Dessert Tour in Downtown! A group of friends and I looked up a lot of different dessert places and hit them up in one night. First, we bought Knafeh (كنافة) at Habiba Sweets and walked to Bakdash to top it with Arabic ice cream (بوظة عربي). Then, we walked around and ordered Harriseh (هريسه) and Warbat (وربات) from one shop, Awameh (عوامة) from another, and Halawet el Jibn (حلاوة الجبن) from another. The options are endless! Just look up dessert shops in the area, visit them, and order the things that look delicious! Ask for the name too so you know what you are eating. Also make sure to get only a couple of pieces of each and split them across the group to not eat too much sugar in one night! Or, you can plan to taste different desserts on different days (just like Activity #1). Photo credit: Laura G. 2023.

Activity #3

A narrow but quickly moving river runs between tall red cliffs on a sunny day. There is a little bit of grass at the edge of the water but most of the ground is red. — Go on a Hike with a Tour Group! You can find tours on Facebook as events or in posts (Example: Facebook Page called Ajloun Trips). Make sure that foreigners are allowed on the trips if the posts are all in Arabic and translated to English automatically by Facebook. This photo was from a hike in Wadi Al Hasa Al Safli (around 15 JOD). I have never done a hike like this before, walking through both shallow and really deep water at different points! Photo credit: Laura G. 2023.

Activity #4

Go to a Turkish or Moroccan Hammam! There are ones for women and ones for men separately. For women, I would recommend going to Alf Layla wa Layla. Prices run about 30-50 JD for cheapest to medium packages. It seems expensive, but when compared to a $200-300 price in America for the same package, it’s a great deal. Go with friends and get ready for an experience of a lifetime if you have never gone before! Ask host family members or local friends if they have gone before for advice and what to expect. Photo credit: Laura G. 2023.