The Wanderlust Compass: Amman: people, food & shopping

People:

The Jordanian people are friendly and helpful and appreciate tourist interest in his country and its history. They like to host on their land and that is reflecting in their treatment.
Muslim majority, the country is tolerant of other religions and the way to profess them. Here the women used to cover their hair, but is rarely seen absolutely black. By contrast, the thousand colors and designs of their scarves brighten the streets and even their costumes are bright colors and can be enriched with embroidery in gold.

Cultural Tips:
-If you're female, you'll notice right away that the Jordanian keep a respectful distance from you to speak (religion demands that they can touch only a woman of his family or his fiancée). This does not affect the good treatment and gallantry that usually provide to female tourists.
-If you are a man, do not be surprised to note that in contrast to the treatment expressed out to women, men are affectionate in their greeting everyday.

Meals:
As for meals, the table has an abundant arabic entrance: hummus, eggplant puree, vegetables marinated in oil, vinegar and spices are their specialties.
For main course, the chicken in small portions, sea fish in various sauces, cuts of lamb and beef eventually shredded and cooked with vegetables are the most common options. Rice, boiled potatoes and yams are usual complements, although they may be seasoned with a lot of cumin. The pig is not allowed, nor ham in all its versions, and that because Islam prevents them to eat an animal considered impure.
Tea, alone or with mint and obviously thick and strong coffee of the region accompanies every meal and even any stop along the way of the traveler.
The desserts deserve a separate paragraph: Turkish cuisine is famous for the use of puff pastry and pastry cream, all of Jordan is no exception. Baklava, little nests puff, mini cheese cakes, a lot of chocolate over fruits or ready for improvising an even richer sweet; everything is a temptation. The simplest sponge cakes tend to be very wet in syrup and may have some fruit compote on top as termination.
If there is any dessert prepared, the Jordanian will offer, especially at noon, a selection of fruit that are specific to the season: watermelon, orange, apple, banana are the most common in spring.

Tasting Tips:
-Appetizers: try the hummus spread on unleavened bread.
-Condiments: always ask first if they are included in the food, if you are like me regarding tastes, since I try to avoid eating spicy flavors. Waiters gladly show you which dishes can be strong abroad palate and which not.
-Desserts: they prepare the phyllo pastry as few in Arabia. Do not miss it.
-Tea: in hot, desert people do not remove their thirst for cold drinks, on the other hand, drinking hot tea or water with lemon short tempers thirst and body. Try it you too.
-Drinks: don't be surprise if there is not beer or wine. Alcohol is also prohibited by religion and in several spots, despite receiving and tourists occidental style, do not have to offer them to you. Fruit juice, mint and of course mineral water, are widely offered.
-Restaurant: I recommend asking for "Don Quichotte" or Tawaheen Al - Hawa. You can see my opinion and many more on TripAdvisor:

http://www.tripadvisor.es/ShowUserReviews-g293986-d1641029-r130186485-Tawaheen_al_Hawa-Amman_Amman_Governorate.html

What to buy:

Jordan people likes to sell and the game of haggling. One of the best works or crafts are mosaics, then the classic multicolored Turkish lamps are beautiful as well, blue pottery and pieces of wood and mother of pearl inlay are also highly recommended.

But Jordan is also home of semiprecious stones such as turquoise, lapis lazuli, malachite and coral. Throughout the country you will be surprised with refined or crude creations made with these wonderful stones.

In April 2012, a denarius was a little more expensive than the dollar: 0.70 dinar = 1 dollar. Currently the euro has a very fluctuating price and may not agree to the change. While making payments, the deniers and the dollars run almost at par, the euro is often not accepted everywhere.

Tips on what to buy:

-Dead Sea products: creams for the face, hands and body, shampoos, soaps, bath salts, the amount of minerals that provides the sea make their products unique rejuvenating and detoxifying because of the properties they have. There are for every budget: from five dinars to 40 for larger creams.

-pashminas: they come in all kinds and colors. Cost is at a range between 5 and 8 dinars.

-bracelets and rings: it is usually to weigh the piece in question, if it contains any silver work. Here prices can vary greatly. If you like, haggle and get a budget in mind to fight price purchase. Depending on the labor and material, you can be in a range between 25 to 200 dinars.

-dates and sweets at the airport in Amman: you will find the largest variety and best presentations if you want to take them as a present. Between 15 and 40 dinars as very expensive.

-bazaar recommend: visiting "Noumani Bazzar". There is everything for every budget. Address: 191 Al - Madeena Manaware. They page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Noumani-Bazzar/128925697176705