Wedding, men in the street and desert....

I had to go to an Embassy recently. It’s a hassle everywhere in this world, but the fact that it heats up in the morning does not make it easier… so I had all my documents handy and arrived there even too early. Embassies usually open at 0930. My advise, regardless what they tell you: always take an additional copy, all originals and some loose change in your pocket (no, not to bribe somebody… I tell you in one sec what you need it for…). Ok I arrived, too early and waited in the car until they opened. They opened at 0930 sharp but unfortunately I was not the only one waiting. They have a window in the court where they serve their customers. As soon as they opened everybody rushed to the window and I was “left behind”. As you already realized I was there by myself, without “my man” who usually takes care of these things for me… So I waited some minutes until the first rush was over and one person walked away from the window and left a small gap open. I stepped in and hoped to be asked what I needed. As it was not the case I looked at the first person and said that I wanted a visa. The person asked me all different things I needed to have handy and I was lucky to have everything. Everything except a second copy of the application form… she gave me all the papers back and told me to come back with a copy… hmmm, where to find a copy machine here around?

Wherever you go in Jordan (especially in Amman) and you see an official house, like an Embassy, ministry or whatever, you will spot men sitting under umbrellas, some of them on a tiny desk or in a car or just under a tree. In front of the Embassy there was a man in a car, door open and a big umbrella. Underneath a small table and a typewriter on the table. I approached him with my paper in my hands…how the heck will he produce a copy of my paper in a car? I asked him anyway and he opened the rear door and he had a HP Printer/Scanner/Copier on the seat plugged in to the lighter! He put the paper under the lid, pushed the button: all set! So keep in mind if you need anything from an official office and you need help: ask the gentleman in front of the building with his “office” on the sidewalk! The loose change is to pay for the service! My copy was 200 fils ;-) (not very expensive!). Those gentlemen are sitting there all day and waiting for people who need help with all the paperwork. They know best what to do and what is needed to get a visa or whatever you need from the Ministry or Embassy.

Saturday we were invited to the wedding of lovely, good friends. We arrived to a village close to Lugano (Switzerland) and we were invited to stay at the best friends parents house. Both are very nice and sweet. His mom did everything to make us feel home. She even offered to iron my shirts ;-) Saturday afternoon we went to the church and enjoyed a very emotional wedding ceremony. After the ceremony we were invited to a refreshment on one of the three castles of the city. It was just gorgeous. The weather was fantastic, warm with a very pleasant breeze. All around green hills and valleys and they served local food... You cannot imagine how it was for us to be there after three month of desert climate. But the nicest thing were the nice people. I met friends from back in colleague and we had a wonderful time. The bride and the groom were just beautiful. They so belong together. We love you guys. We wish you all the best in this world!

In the evening the newly weds invited us to a wonderful restaurant up in the hills with a breathtaking view down to the lake. Food, company and venue were just perfect. We so enjoyed the evening that I wished it would not have ended. But as everything it did finish and we left at around three o’clock in the morning after a delicious wedding cake and an extended dancing session (not really all did dance … ;-)

Thanks a lot P&M! We love you and are so looking forward seeing you guys here in Jordan!

We slept in the next day, had a nice breakfast, went for a quick walking tour downtown and then my friend brought us to Milano Airport where we took the flight at 1830 to Frankfurt, where we took the flight back to wonderful Amman. We arrived at around 2 a.m. and were in bed at around 330ish. I went to the office after a few hours sleep and it worked out well. Did not fall asleep in the office…

That was a wonderful, never forget weekend and we are thankful for having such friends. THANKS A LOT!!

This weekend we did an unbelievable tour through the desert east of Amman and visited some desert castles. The desert is amazing. Wonderful colors, especially as in that area a lot of volcanic rocks lie around and look like dark spots in the desert. (I put some pics on facebook). The ride was wonderful. I will tell you another day about it. In the meantime: enjoy the pictures… That’s all folks for this week.

Take care wherever you are in this world. A big hug from Amman!