'There is bad everywhere, no!' said the guide to us, as we spotted a little boy, around 9 years sitting on the orange-red rock of Petra, puffing a cigarette. That remark was made by the guide after he asked the boy in the language not known to me, " Why are you smoking ? You are too young!" The boy replied with a very plain face without any change in his expression that," This is my life!" I would have coaxed the guide to talk more in this subject but his statement did not leave any scope of discussion in that topic.
I thought about it then, and sometimes think about it today too. The incident accentuates the fact that the country is united by feelings of brotherliness and spirit of standing for one another. I used to get stupefied to see two men meet for first time and yet behave like brothers. I have been alien to this culture, in my country(India) the first thing you are told when you leave your house unaccompanied is never talk to any stranger, never trust any stranger.
Jordan is a small country, Amman- the capital city has the largest population, it was puzzling to see men dress up in different attires in a regular market place in the afternoon. While some wore contemporary clothes, many wore long robes with the Arabic head turban (black or red) and some wore tuxedos- very versatile indeed! 90% of Jordanian women irrespective of whether they wore long robes or not, the head-cover was mandatory.I must say that they showed fantastic tolerance towards tourists and no frowns or eyebrows were raised at however little they wore.
People belonging to 50-60 years club are the proud raisers of more than ten children( average) one of my chauffeur had thirty grand children phew! Well the trend has changed, the current youth are content with three or four. The Jordanian parents are opposite of Tiger- Moms of China and lion dads of India, they are highly laid back and leave the kids do what they fancy or simply do nothing.
The distinguished Bedouin culture is highly notable, Bedouins are essentially desert inhabitants, who rear cattle and do farming, living in caves and tents. They live like this for months and also live normal life in the city for some months. They live in the desert of Wadi Rum and Wadi Musa, highly hospitable and are gifted musicians who play a stringed instrument.
The king is highly respected in the country and the palace is like a fortress, no tourist can go anywhere near it. The state takes good care of its people, education and medical facilities are provided for free. There are posters of King Abdullah-II with his father, King Hussein and also with his son all around Jordan more so in Amman, Blessed is the king whose subjects are happy, Yes! my friend Jordanians are a happy lot puffing into that cigarette diffusing contentment in the air.
I thought about it then, and sometimes think about it today too. The incident accentuates the fact that the country is united by feelings of brotherliness and spirit of standing for one another. I used to get stupefied to see two men meet for first time and yet behave like brothers. I have been alien to this culture, in my country(India) the first thing you are told when you leave your house unaccompanied is never talk to any stranger, never trust any stranger.
Jordan is a small country, Amman- the capital city has the largest population, it was puzzling to see men dress up in different attires in a regular market place in the afternoon. While some wore contemporary clothes, many wore long robes with the Arabic head turban (black or red) and some wore tuxedos- very versatile indeed! 90% of Jordanian women irrespective of whether they wore long robes or not, the head-cover was mandatory.I must say that they showed fantastic tolerance towards tourists and no frowns or eyebrows were raised at however little they wore.
People belonging to 50-60 years club are the proud raisers of more than ten children( average) one of my chauffeur had thirty grand children phew! Well the trend has changed, the current youth are content with three or four. The Jordanian parents are opposite of Tiger- Moms of China and lion dads of India, they are highly laid back and leave the kids do what they fancy or simply do nothing.
The distinguished Bedouin culture is highly notable, Bedouins are essentially desert inhabitants, who rear cattle and do farming, living in caves and tents. They live like this for months and also live normal life in the city for some months. They live in the desert of Wadi Rum and Wadi Musa, highly hospitable and are gifted musicians who play a stringed instrument.
The king is highly respected in the country and the palace is like a fortress, no tourist can go anywhere near it. The state takes good care of its people, education and medical facilities are provided for free. There are posters of King Abdullah-II with his father, King Hussein and also with his son all around Jordan more so in Amman, Blessed is the king whose subjects are happy, Yes! my friend Jordanians are a happy lot puffing into that cigarette diffusing contentment in the air.