Israel, Journey From Amman

 

                                                                                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amman Bus Terminal

 

My journey to Israel begins at 7:00am from The Amman Bus Terminal.

I am convinced my first impression of Israel would have been completely different had I entered the country at Tel Aviv.

 

However, I always appreciate my travels more when I can experience it like a local.

 

 

 

 

The border crossing gave be a better prospective of the everyday struggle that certain people here face for what others would consider a normal routine elsewhere.

40 YEARS 

The "Moses' Syndrome" is alive and well as I set off to enter

 

"The Promised Land"

 

 

 

 

 

6:20AM

 

At the main bus station I have a falafel and “Strawberry Fanta" for breakfast, JD$1.

 

We wait for enough passengers to show up before we leave for King Hussein Bridge.  I can take a taxi for JD$12 but the bus is only JD$3 plus JD$0.50 per bag.

 

Offer are made to exchange my dinars for sheqels. At JD$40 for NIS$100, it is no bargain.

 

 

 

 

As we leave the bus terminal, I am the only tourist on the bus with men sitting in front and women in the back.

8:30AM

 

At the Jordanian Border, I walk around to tourist side and start the Jordanian departure process. Bags are x-rayed in one building and then I walk freely with my bag to another building.

 

WINDOW-1 my passport is taken.

WINDOW-2 does something with my passport and tells me to pay JD$5.

WINDOW-3 I get a stamp and go back to. You guessed wrong.

WINDOW-2 smiles and tells me I will get my passport back on the bus and "To please take a seat in "DEPARTURE LOUNGE-1".

Half an hour later a bus arrives to take us to Israeli Border. This time it is JD$3 plus JD$0.50 per bag even carry ons.

 

As our passports are given back by an official who has not seen us before a humorous exchange takes place with a few Arabic ladies. Apparently, their passport pictures are too similar.

Two Checkpoints and King Hussein Bridge along with the Israeli Border comes into sight.

Last Jordanian Border Crossing

 

Technorati Tags: Jordan,Amman,Israel,Tel Aviv,Moses' Syndrome,The Promised Land,Strawberry Fanta,King Hussein Bridge,Sheqels,Dinars,Arabic,Checkpoints,Israeli Border,Jordanian Border