Nothing like a good night's sleep! I didn't wake up even once.
Got ready and took a picture out of our room window. It looked like we actually could open it ... if it wasn't broken. Had to take it through the very dirty glass but it still gives an impression.
Breakfast (buffet of course) with lots of good tea and then I found a spot in the lobby were the Internet actually seems to work ... at least at that moment.
James went to show the reception guy the email confirming that "yes, we still wanted the taxi" and came back laughing. He was told that yesterday was a holiday and nobody looks at emails. Ha-ha, sending an email and not looking at the answer? And why would we not want it if we had booked it in the first place? But it ended up not being a problem and all is well. Just funny.
Before going back to the room we just had a quick look at the pool.
We decided to walk a little "around the block" for a first impression. We asked at the front desk whether they had a map and they did. It was of the whole city though and it is big. We asked for them to show us where on the map we were but that seemed to be a problem. He couldn't find it first. Said he didn't have his glasses.
Since the internet in the lobby is quite good I could get google map and take a screen shot. We want to go to King Abdullah Gardens and stop on the way at the Bird Garden. This photo worked well. You have to get used to not having the use of your gadget all the time. How spoiled we are at home.
Our hotel.
Found the Bird Garden. Ups, a big wall and we had to walk around to find the entry. A gate with a little house with a window. There is an entry fee. We have no JODs. Just go in. Very nice and friendly.
It is basically a very nice playground with lots of greenery and a few cages, several empty. But there are lots of families having fun.
When we leave we say thank-you again and how nice it is. He asks us where we are from and guesses Canada. When we say US he puts his hand on his heart and gives us a lovingly/jealous look. Nice to know.
We decide to go back to the hotel because we had not taken any water with us and it was mighty hot with little shade.
Looking at my google map screenshot again and decide on a different way.
Observation: there are sidewalks but most of the time there are trees planted in left-out squares. And most of the times branches are so low that it is impossible to walk on the sidewalk and you have to walk on the street. But the streets are wide and not much traffic. Light traffic maybe just today because of the holiday?
There is the hotel again and close to it some little shops. At the front desk James changes a few Euros into JOD so that we can buy some bottled water later.
And what now? We decide to go down to the pool to lay in the shade. The water is actually a bit cold. Day temperature 93 and it cools down in the night to 72. There is a Jordanian (I think) family and I love people watching. Grandma sits on a sofa on the opposite wall. She surrounds herself with all sorts of things including one of those hookahs. She happily smokes away. Then her daughter (or DIL) comes out of the pool to take a few puffs and a little later her granddaughter (teenager?) too. I didn't feel like I could take a photo.
James took care of some jetlag. I finally finished that silly paperback I had bought in Philly for the plane.
2:30 or 3? We probably should have a snack. James wondered whether we should go to the pizzeria across the street but I didn't think it was too appetizing. He suggest room service and I always wanted to do that. I don't think I ever did. We decide that one pizza would be enough between us. We have trouble with the phone so James decides to go down. He is sent to the restaurant and tells the lady. She immediately picks up the phone. He comes back laughing because he thinksshe ordered from the pizzeria across the streeet.
Then I did what I have seen in hotels often.
We chilled in our room. We read (what a luxery) and I played CodyCross. Of course it's a game app and very "addictive". We told a woman in the airline club in Philadelphia about it. She kept saying that she should not get it because she loves that sort of thing. When her husband went to the toilet she said "quickly, tell me all about it and how to get it". James and I still chuckle about it.
7:30 pm or so we went downstairs because dinner tonight is supposed to be included in the hotel. The rest of the group is supposed to arrive tonight. Our guide Iyad called to say that they are delayed and to go ahead.
Sorry to say though that it was disappointing. Buffet and not worth taking a photo on the plate. Everything was cold even if it should be hot even the soup. Guess what ... there were no burners under the chafing dishes. No big deal but I did have a second helping of some of the dessert.
Tomorrow the trip starts "officially". We are supposed to be in the lobby at 9 am ready to leave.
Night, night.
2 comments:
Getting excited about hearing your adventures!
Looks like you are already having a good time, yummy cakes!
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