Thoughts on Group Leader
Sami is playful, intelligent, highly committed, proud of his country and his culture. He consistently exceeded what one would have expected from a group leader. It was a privilege to spend time with him.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I generally felt safer in Jordan than I do in Canada or America. Jordan demonstrates a level of hospitality and generosity we rarely encounter in the West. If you have any doubts about this trip, but feel like it might be something you’d like to experience, GO!There were more than enough blankets at the Wadi Rum camp, so if you’re tight for packing space you can ditch the sleeping bag, particularly at this time of year. I hadn’t realized just how toasty it can get in the South; Aqaba was 45 C due to a little heat wave. Drink lots, before you get thirsty. The heat and my asthma conspired to make some of the cycling in the desert difficult and I ended up riding the bus more than I would have liked, but the bus was always available and riding it was a positive experience in its own way. I arrived a week early to acclimatize and explore Amman. Despite what some guide books suggest, Amman is incredible and you can easily spend a week on foot in the downtown core just experiencing local culture, a mosaic of Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians, and Iraqis. I stayed at the Amman Pasha Hotel, which was cheap and wonderful and across the street from the Roman Amphitheater. The Exodus starting hotel is nice (with helpful staff, a pool and a gym), but in a somewhat isolated area. It’s ideal for the night before the start of the trip, but if you arrive early, you’ll find staying downtown a much richer experience.
