My last day (hopefully) in the Middle East. I'm going to try to fly home tonight (actually tomorrow morning at 4:00am). I haven't been able to confirm my flights and I don't have a flight home from Holland yet, but I'm going to start the journey. It should be an adventure. I'm looking forward to getting home. I had an incredible trip, but I miss my friends, the culture, my coffee, and I could use a little sushi from Origami. I guess as I get older my tolerance for extended travel is diminishing. Along with my home sickness, I'm getting a bit tired of the food, the music, the call to prayer, and this Ramadan crap. Honestly, I don't know how every Muslim can do it? I doubt the pope would have much luck setting aside an entire month where Catholics couldn't eat, drink, or smoke from dawn to dusk. The Muslims here get up around 3:00am for some food and drink, then go back to bed, then get up again and fast for 12 hours straight. Some Islamic sects don't even allow people to drink their own saliva. People are forced to spit all day. Gross! On top of the "clear" rules of Ramadan, it seems their are several loose, unwritten rules, like no alcohol for anyone anytime during Ramadan, strange business hours, and forced consumption of tequila infused beer (OK, the last one is a stretch and an inside joke). Bottom line is I have a lot of respect for the faithful Islamic people. This wouldn't work anywhere else.
I'm spending my last day in the city of Amman. From what I can tell Amman is a modern city with plenty to do, but little to see. No huge plans, I need to confirm my flights, buy a book, do a little Internet surfing, and catch a cab for the airport... Probably not going to fill the 20 hours I have until my flight leaves... :-(
Yesterday I hit an all time low, I visited the Dead Sea which runs between Jordan and Israel. The Dead Sea sits at 400 meters below sea level and is the lowest point on the Earth's surface. Additionally, the Dead Sea's high salt content makes it "dead" and also makes the water extremely dense. Swimming in the Dead Sea is an interesting experience. You feel like a bobber, unable to force yourself underwater. To me it seemed like I was flying or something. The interesting experience floating on the Dead Sea was enough to counter the disgusting changing room and slimy feeling the water left on your skin... A good shower after my arrival in Amman took care of the negative effects. Supposedly although it was slimy, the Dead Sea properties are good for your skin, like a mineral bath I guess... Since I have loads of time on airplanes over the next day or so I'll stop here. I should be able to throw together some meaningful words as an epilogue to my grand Middle East travels. Until then...
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