Need help from the Jordanian MENA's

[~Jackie~ 30]

When I return?????? I can't stay away from vj for 10 days! We will be visiting different cafe owners and while he's talking I will be checking in with all of you here.

Jackie

[noura 0]

When I return?????? I can't stay away from vj for 10 days! We will be visiting different cafe owners and while he's talking I will be checking in with all of you here.

Jackie

right on! i forgot abt that cafe connection!

[cbd2cai 0]

So exciting . . . a trip home!!!

Have fun!

Just hope that you don't have so many gifts that you need a u-haul to get them to the airport, hehehe!!!

[dollface41601 0]

TAKE ME WITH...TAKE ME WITH!!!

[~Jackie~ 30]

Come on! It will be fun! I know how much you love Royal Jordanian

Mohammed added 3 people to the list, we are up to 33 gifts.

Jackie

[dollface41601 0]

geeez jac.....

[Jenn! 918]

When I return?????? I can't stay away from vj for 10 days! We will be visiting different cafe owners and while he's talking I will be checking in with all of you here.

Jackie

:lol:

[~Jackie~ 30]

Today I will start shopping for kids gifts. There are 11 nieces and nephews ranging in age from newborn to 14 years. No gift wrapping for on the plane, right? I was thinking of cute bags and put the stuff in it when I get there.

Mohammed can travel easily with the 10 year card, right?

Jackie

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I'm getting so excited just reading about how excited you are ! We want to plan a trip back too, but not before later this year.

That's a great idea about the gift bags -- that way, customs/security/immigration won't be tempted to unwrap all your pretty wrapping paper. And by hauling all those gifts to Jordan, you'll have an empty suitcase (or suitcases) to fill up with stuff to bring home !

I am so happy for you guys -- your husband will be on Cloud 9 and I am sure you are, too !

-MK

Edited to add: should be no problem travelling with the 10-year card (or a 2-year card, either.)

Edited January 18, 2007 by wife_of_mahmoud

[~Jackie~ 30]

Thanks WOM! I am sorry to be gushing all over the place but I realized last night that I am somewhat of a groundbreaker here. I was one of the first on vj with a ME husband. We have completed everything with USCIS. We survived 4 1/2 years of marriage and now we're returning to his homeland together. I will be just as happy when all of you are making that trip 'back home' with your man.

He is so very happy and smiling all the time now. He has worked long and hard since coming to America and deserves this much needed break. I can't even imagine how much nicer every day will be knowing we will be leaving together at the end of the trip. My previous 3 trips, the last 2 days would be dreadful knowing I would have to walk away, go up the escalator and break down in tears.

I want to take sooooooooooo many pictures!

Jackie

[zzerous 0]

Irbid area would be nice

Last week of february

About how much for the car? $200 a week? $400? I'm clueless. And what's your guess on the apartment? I don't need super fancy, just a place to sleep and change. We would be with family most of the days.

Jackie

I once rented a car in Irbid it cost me about 20Jd/ day. They might give you lower if you rent for long period. Plus taxis in Jordan are plenty and cheap of that helps.

[LRA 0]

J-

Glad you guys are heading back to Jordan rather than FL. And Mohammad, 2.5 years without going back. You both deserve it. It has changed so much, you'll be surprised. Well there are a lot more people that is for sure. ~850K Iraqis. Yikes.

The gifts are just too much sometimes :-) I usually am faced with the same dilemma. The suggestions you have received are great! Everyone loves gifts from "Amreeca". Shirts are great for the men also.

Finding a place shouldn't be too difficult. Too bad my apartment isn't finished yet...cause it would have been yours.

It is raining there these days...but hopefully Spring will be just around the corner when you guys are there. I've never been during that time of the year, but I hear it's beautiful! Are you planning on going anywhere while you're there?

The taxi from QAIA to Husn would certainly be pricey. Especially since your coming from the US and they know you pick money off trees here :-) You probably won't be using a car for the first few days anyways, since everyone will be coming to see you so you can delay getting one and safe some $$.

Regarding the car rental places. Renting in Amman may be cheapest, but it never seems to be the case. In Irbid on the Cinema street just west of the post office. They rent decent cars.....25JD per day....for 1500 CC cars (Huyndai, Civic). The name of the place is KutKut. There is also another rental place near Safeway in Irbid, but they have crappy cars and also another one near the South entrace to Yarmouk University. Also #######. I've heard in Amman they can be as low as 10JD per day....but have never looked into them. It's just a hastle to pick up and return it in Amman with added $ for Taxis getting to and from the place. And watch out for the mileage when you rent. I don't think anyone offers unlimited miles. And when you rent it, look over the car very closely. Outside and in. Any dents or scratches make a note of with the guy. I am not sure if the credit card company insurance we have here works in Jordan. Usually the put a 1000JD deposit on the car for insurance. When you return it they look at it very carefully. Any small blemish is noted and you'll be charged. Be careful.

Also, you can also use boxes to transport the gifts. I usually use the Uhaul "Dish Barrel" ones because I bring back olive oil. And rather than leaving a suitcase there, I just throw away the box once all the gifts have been distributed. They are about $8. Only downside is that we need to weigh it before sealing it at home. 50 lbs no charge, and up to 70 with i think a $25 fee. Nothing over 70 is permitted.

Above, all enjoy your time there. That is why we work so hard, so that when we have time to enjoy our money we do. You'll both remember this trip forever and I am sure fond memories will be made. Hopefully this will become a regular thing for you both!

[~Jackie~ 30]

We are now getting so excited about this trip! Mr Mohammed was leery about the cost, but it is time to go and see the family. I am trying to prepare for the weather, I am a spoiled woman and am used to furnaces. I'm for sure packing warm, fuzzy slipper socks.

If it is not raining I would love to go to Jerash again. When I was there it was 100 degrees and dusty. I want to take alot of pictures! Thank you for the suggestions on the rental car and boxing the gifts.

The memories we will create on this trip will be priceless. The atmosphere will be totally different, more relaxed knowing we will be leaving the country together. My work approved my time off just this morning!!! Inshallah we will fly out on Feb 24th and return March 6th.

Jackie

[Mandolin_68 0]

I figured I'd put in my two cents for this one since I grew up in Florida and lived in Jordan for a summer. I would definitely reccomend you go to Jordan if you can swing it financially - it WILL be more expensive than Florida. Florida is very nice this time of year - NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES go to Florida between May and September - even a Mid-Easterner will melt. I spent a summer in Iraq, a summer in Jordan and 18 summers in Florida - FLORIDA IS THE WORST! But a trip to Florida in the winter means no beach time - the water DOES get cold in the winter, even down there. The only other major attraction for FL is Disney World - I grew up about an hour from Orlando and Disney has gotten pretty pricey lately and VERY touristy. But hotels are pretty inexpensive in the winter months.

I recommend Jordan because his family is there and he has not seen them in a while. You gotta get back to the homeland every once in a while. I rented a car there in Amman last summer and it was about $250 for a week. It was a run down Hyundai with no CD player but it had AC and it got us all over Jordan (Dead Seas, Petra, Aqaba, etc...) so it was worth it. An apartment of course is expensive. We paid $500 a month for ours in Amman and that was a teriffic deal, but my fiance is Iraqi and can talk an Eskimo into buying ice so I'm sure he had a lot to do with our discounted price.

Hope I was able to help a little. Good luck!

[jordanianprincess 0]

but my fiance is Iraqi and can talk an Eskimo into buying ice so I'm sure he had a lot to do with our discounted price.

LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOO