Thursday 19-Mar-2009
It's just 8.00 a.m. as I start to write this: at nine I'm being picked up to head off by road.
Some statistics:-
Population of Jordan 6 million
Population of Amman: 2 million
Literacy level claimed: 90 per cent (makes the U.K. look very Third World, doesn't it).
Religion: 93 per cent Sunni Muslim. Mayority of the balance Roman Catholic.
I check out just before nine and the driver from last night, Mr. Mamoon, arrives after a few moments. Outside, the sun is bright but there's a distinct chill, so I put a long-sleeved jumper on over my T-shirt. We set off south, along the road we came in on last night. I can't get over how modern Amman looks. It's also very hilly, with frequent rock outcrops.
We take a right turn onto a smaller road heading for the town of Madaba. Now we're in more open, rolling country. It's very green and there are extensive olive groves. They've also discovered the dreaded 'polytunnels' for cultivating all kinds of vegetables.
[To be continued]
