jordanWith only two days left in our Middle Eastern stay and with our classes having finished, my program spent today and yesterday in Aqaba, Jordan’s Red Sea resort city. Throughout the past month Amman has been quite cold with the average temperature hovering around the low 40’s; however, right on the Red Sea, Aqaba’s average temperatures are about 30 degrees higher than Amman’s. Luckily, the weather did not disappoint one bit.
I found myself comfortably wearing shorts during the afternoons of both days. Just like the weather, the water of the Red Sea was very warm and comfortable. The afternoon of our second day was amazing as we hung out on a boat all day and snorkeled. While the Middle East may not be the first thing that pops into one’s mind when thinking about destinations for snorkeling, it actually has amazing coral reefs and sea life. The views that I saw below the surface were simply breathtaking.
Another very cool part of the boat ride was the fact that from where the boat was anchored in the Red Sea you could see Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia all from the same spot. The Four Corners of America’s Southwest had nothing on this sight and experience.
After spending a full day in the sun and water, my group and I enjoyed the night life of Aqaba.
Aqaba’s nightlife certainly caters to foreign tourists and the more liberal minded members of Jordanian society. For example, there are many alcohol stores. In addition, night clubs dot every corner with some being a little shadier than others. Having not seen any belly dancers since we had been in the Middle East, my friends and I decided to go and try to find a club in Aqaba that had some; however, the place that we were told to go to was a little sketchy. The belly dancer, a Russian, was not that good. I wasn’t that surprised though as I was told the only good ones were in Damascus and Cairo. Either way though, the sketchiness of the club made the story a fun one. After this we went back to our rooms ready to return to Amman for our last day in Jordan.
