A new chapter of my nomadic life has just begun: two weeks ago I moved to Amman. While all three are absolutely lovely, they do not give Amman itself any credit. From the first settlements in the area that date back to 7, BC to its rich Roman and Byzantine history, Amman is a place where throughout history civilisations have crossed paths.
Even today, Amman remains a cultural melting pot. Jordan hosts refugees both from Palestine many of whom have been naturalised as Jordanians and more recently Syria; a fall out from the conflicts in the Middle East. If you add them to the Bedouins and the Circassians, you can imagine how rich the culture and the cuisine is, drawing influences from all over the Levant. Aside from hotels and some corporate buildings there is a sense of architectural homogeneity, as the majority of buildings are not very tall and are constructed with sandy colour exteriors.
Request a window seat on the plane over; flying over Amman is quite an experience. To navigate Amman, one has to become familiar with its circles. They effectively divide the city in neighborhoods. For example, the area around Abdoun circle is where all the Embassies are, while many galleries and fun restaurants can be found around the first circle. With its large avenues, Amman is not a pedestrian friendly city.
The most striking sights include the Temple of Hercules and the Ummayad Palace. Darat-al-funun β A small renovated hamlet on the Weibdeh slope, Darat-al-funun presents temporary exhibitions from artists from all over the Middle East. National Gallery of Fine Arts β on both sides of a park in Weibdeh, the Gallery presents the best Jordanian art has to offer from established artists.
As a friend put it the Venn diagram of places in Amman with both delicious food and alcohol is worth looking into. Wild Jordan β on the top floor of the Jordan Valley Foundation, this relaxed cafe has the most beautiful view of Amman. The food is inspired by the flavours of the Middle East.
