A visit to the Blue Mosque

View of the Blue Mosque

This week I visited the Mosque of the Martyr King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein, also known as the Blue Mosque because of the beautiful blue dome.

As tourist (non-Muslim), you are not allowed in through the main gate. There is a complete separate entrance, located "underneath" the Mosque. You have big signs so you cannot really miss it. We went through a typical bazaar (also doind charity work) with all kind of Jordanian souvenirs and handcrafts. This is where you pay the entrance fee (2JD - resident or not) and where women can borrow and put on the Abaya (traditional black clothing that women wear over their clothes). Note that this is not optional - as women (I was with other female friends) we needed to put it on. I will also say that it is synthetic and it's very very hot to wear - so I cannot imagine what it is like in the summer. 

 

We went up the stairs and arrive in the Gallery.

Main Entrance to the Mosque

This is an open yeard that has a capacity of 6000 worshippers. The floor is covered with octogonal tiles forming lines that direct worshippers toward the Kiblah (direction of Mecca, towards which Muslims turn in prayer). Engraved as well on the external walls are Quranic Verses.

We first visited the Women's Place of Worship - we were not sure that we were allowed into the Men's, but yes we were. The Women's area is quite small and can house 500 worshippers.

 To the right the Mihrab - niche that turns toward Mecca

We then went to the Mosque's Nave (Men's area). It can host 3000 worshippers and is very impressive. 

I could't take many pictures, because there were men praying, sleeping, sitting and talking and there was also a lecture going on. I didn't want to seem intrusive. You can notice the same kind of patern on the carpet that shows the prayer direction as outside.

Sorry about the quality of some of the pictures, but I was taking without flash (to not disturbe) and with Bibs wanting to run around it wasn't that easy!

When we bought our ticket we were given a very nice booklet that explains all there is to know about the Mosque and its construction (that is where I have taken most of the info from).

The last thing we visited was the Islamic Museum. There are other places to see like the Conference Hall or the Library, but Bibs was a bit fed up and hungry so we had to hurry.

 

 

Can anybody tell me what this is??

 It is a small museum, where there are antics, coins, stone engravings etc. all in relation to Islam.

It is an interesting visit to make, and I believe the only Mosque in Amman that can be visited by non-muslims. As usual I have more things to visit - a trend in Jordan for me - so I'll go back and look out for some more.  I hope I haven't made any mistakes with the translations and meanings - if I have please let me know!

One last thing, opening times: we visited between 12:30 and 2pm, and I know it opens in the morning (8am-11am, if not mistaken) - but I don't know if this changes during the year, as I doubt that one can visit during prayer times. Not really sure of this.

Breakfast from Crumz and a Chinese for lunch

Yesterday morning I decided to treat Bobs with a nice breakfast; I took Bibs and off we went to Crumz, to get fresh bread and croissants. Crumz is located in Abdoun, not far from Abdoun mall or fitness first. The bread is nice and soft and the croissants not bad at all! There is also a large in-door sitting area to enjoy breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. 

Entrance & out door terrace at Crumz

They even have special Halloween cup cakes, donuts and other cookies.

I then stopped at Starbucks for a coffee. This Starbucks drive through is just so handy, with Bibs in the car!

After a little swim - in-door now - as all the out-door pools are closed till next summer, we decided to try another Chinese restaurant, and we went to Chop Sticks in Swefeih, not far from Cozmo. Actually they serve Indian and Chinese food. Amazingly we haven't really given up finding somewhere to get our Chinese fix, but of course we were disappointed once more.

We had some dumplings, as usual made with chicken, they have a vegetable version as well. Then crispy chicken, which was indeed crispy, but hard as well, not that exciting. The best was probably the fried noodles, you can taste it was not a Chinese who had made them, but they were okay. The bill was 20JD. I guess it is the best we have tasted in Amman, but I doubt we will go back. Maybe the Indian food is better...

A week to go and we will have top Chinese food in Mauritius! So excited!
As usual, I have put the places on my map, the link is at the bottom of the page.

a shop in downtown: it's all about Christmas decorations

So today, we took a small trip to downtown Amman. I don't go to downtown as much I would like. It is always so hot, so crowded, dirty - so, I feel not really a place for Bibs. My Australian friend (yes her again) told me about this little shop where she ordered Christmas decoration; she needed to go back to pick up her order so she took me along, with one of the other mums but without Bibs. Located on King Talal street, it is a tiny place, but we received such a warm welcome by the Armenian owner, Mr. Kokozian.

The Shop

The owner and artist, Mr Kokozian

The paint

Work in progress

He blows the glass and does all the painting himself. It is possible to buy the things exposed in the shop or to make an order. Obviously for Christmas he is very busy, but he works all year round. I ordered some balls for the tree, one with Bibs' name on. Price-wise the small balls are 7JD, the bigger ones 15JD and the biggest candle holder is 30JD.

Some of the decorations below

This one is a gift from the owner, I love it!

I am sure that the decorations will look beautiful on our tree! 

The Ammani Guide

One of my Australian friends passed me this guide about Amman, and in a way it's really great. There is tons of very useful info about the city if you are new here but also good for those you have been in Amman for a while and are still trying to figure out where you can get this or that brand or what the emergency numbers are.

It is divided in sections - like fashion, home, maps, shopping malls, services and even take away menus. It is renewed twice a year I guess and costs JD2.50/copy. You have the number to order on the picture above on the left - am going to order one today!

The city is divided up in some small but useful maps

Map of Mecca Mall - quite handy!

It is only made of ads and lists of shops but one of the difficult things about Amman is that you don't just go to one area and find all the shops that you need/are looking for - like in London if you go to Oxford Street well you spend the day and know that you have all the shops you need. Here you'll have one shop on this corner and one shop on that corner, and you have to drive in between - so unless I know that there is something to stop for I rarely go and discover shops - it is nearly mission impossible with a baby and stroller. I found shops in this guide I didn't know existed and I love it! For a Jordanian guide it's not bad at all.

Some beautiful Art: a visit to Silsal

Next week my really good Danish friend is heading home to the cold, home to Denmark for good with Bibs' best friend. We (the mums from our baby group) wanted her to have something spacial and Jordanian to take with her, so she doesn't forget us that fast. Upon recommendation I went to Silsal. It is such a surprising place, with the most tasteful and modern ceramics. It is nested between the 4th and 5th circles.

You will find everything there and for most budgets as well (don't be fooled by the prices you see on their web page). Beautiful vases, salad bowls, lamps, coffee sets - they even have a Christmas collection.

If you are looking for a little something (or a bigger something) to decorate your home in Amman or for a gift to bring back "home" this is really a place in Amman to consider going.

My salad bowl... I love it!

This is my first buy at Silsal and definitely not the last. I absolutely adore this shop. I read in their small leaflet that you can also see the "atelier",will do that when I go without Bibs. She thinks this place is a bit too interesting.

2 years ago...

we got married... 

the best day in our life... before the arrival of our princess of course!