Caravan-Serai Tours

Jordan’s land was part of the territories of the Ottoman Empire as were the other lands of Greater Syria since the year 1916 when the Ottoman Sultan Saleem the First conquered those territories. Those lands were liberated by the forces of the Arab Revolt that came out of Hidjaz under the command of the Hashemite Sharif Hussein Ben Ali. Assisted by the British troops that were stationed in Egypt and advanced under the command of General Allenby to meet the Arab troops, they drove the Ottoman Turks out of Greater Syria. Prince Faysal, the third son of Sharif Hussein Ben Ali was crowned King of Syria as agreed with Great Britain before the Arab Revolt was launched.

Contrary to the agreement with Great Britain that pledged to have Greater Syria under a unified Arab Kingdom, the allies saw to it that the region came under allied mandate by decree of the newly founded League of Nations upon the defeat of Germany, the Austria-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire. A British geographer carved separate countries out of the Ottoman territories in the Near East, and Iraq, Transjordan and Palestine came under the British Mandate, while Syria and Lebanon came under the French Mandate. Additionally, the family of Al Saud, having consolidated their grip on Eastern, Central and North (Saudi) Arabia, advanced and routed the Hashemite Prince Ali family out of Hidjaz in 1924. Iraq was made a Hashemite Kingdom under Faysal, and Transjordan was made a Princedom under Prince Abdullah, the second son of Sharif Hussein Ben Ali in 1921. The Princedom of Transjordan gained independence in 1946 and was transformed into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Forces of the Hashemite Kingdom participated in the 1948 war and seized the southern part of the West Bank while the Hashemite Iraqi forces held onto the northern part. In 1950, the West Bank united with the Hashemite Kingdom, and the Palestinian natives of the West Bank as well as the Palestinian refugees that flooded Jordan in the wake of the 1948 war, became Jordanian citizens. The Kingdom lost the West Bank to Israeli occupation in 1967, and later disengaged with the West Bank in 1988, handing the responsibilities for its liberation from Israeli occupation to the Palestine Liberation Organization, PLO.

Jordan is approximately 37,300 square miles, or about the size of Indiana. About 94 per cent of its territories are arid and cannot produce food without irrigation. Its geography ranges from the Rift Valley, lying almost exclusively below sea level in the West to the flat steppe in the East with a mountainous strip paralleling the Rift Valley in between. Elevations range between 1230 feet below sea level at the Dead Sea surface to about 3612 feet above sea level at Wadi Rum in the south. Such Biblical localities and regions as Gilead, Ghadara, Moab, and the lands of the Adomites exist in the country and are, along with other ancient archaeological places, magnets of tourists and academic and professional excavations.

The population of Jordan (2001) is a little over 5 million people, with an average share of the GDP amounting to the equivalent of $1400 per year. The backbone of the country’s economy is in services. Tourism alone contributes about 12 percent to the Gross Domestic Product. Mining is the primary commodity export sector, with rock Phosphate and processed phosphoric fertilizer, and Potasium Chloride out of the Dead Sea being the primary export commodities. Agriculture accounts for 7 percent of the GDP, and the country imports about two thirds of the food its population consumes. Infrastructure of transport, water supply, electricity, irrigation, and others is well implemented and maintained. The country’s debt service is heavy and its foreign debt stands at $7 billion, and that burdens the balance of payments and the annual budget. Unlike its Arab neighbors, Jordan has no oil and relies on Iraq for its crude oil supplies that are trucked into the country to be refined and used.

After long years of running the country under the provisions of the Emergency Law, the Late King Hussein reinstated the regular governance in 1989. He had recalled the dissolved Parliament to reconvene in 1984, and launched the democratic process in 1989 with a free election of Parliament members. Muslim fundamentalists scored success in that Parliament (about 35 out of 80 members). Political parties were legalized in 1992. Full and overt multi-party elections took place in 1993 and the power of Islamic fundamentalists fell to 24 members. Elections of 1997 were boycotted by the Islamic Action Front on account of the Election Law that stipulated the one-person one vote system. The country governance is done through three branches of government headed by the King. The Executive branch is headed by the Council of Ministers that are formed by a Royal Decree upon recommendation of a Prime Minister who is assigned the task by the King. The Council of Ministers should win the vote of confidence of the Lower House of Parliament or else it would automatically fall. The legislative branch is composed of the elected Lower House with 80 members, and an Upper House or Senate of half the number of the Lower House, and the King appoints the Senate members. The Judiciary Council runs the Judiciary branch, and the King appoints its Chairperson. The three branches of government are separate and independent.

Jordan faced several demographic shocks as a result of the turbulence in the Middle East. The first shock was in 1948 when over one third of all the Palestinian refugees poured into Jordan over a short period of time. The next population increase came about over a longer period as a result of the unity between the Kingdom and the West Bank (1950-1967), the third shock came as a result of the June war of 1967, when over a quarter million Palestinians crossed the River into Jordan. The fourth powerful shock was a result of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait when workers with Jordanian citizenship were deported from the oil-enriched countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. This last shock took place shortly after the country started facing a monetary, financial and economic shock that rocked the economy in 1989.

Jordan became the second Arab country to conclude a Peace Treaty with Israel after Egypt. Jordan and Israel were engaged in serious peace negotiations under the Middle East Peace Process, and arrived at a peace Treaty in October 1994. Jordan’s occupied territories were returned to Jordan’s sovereignty, and its water rights in the shared water resources were recovered. King Hussein crowned his career with the realization of a dream, that of making peace in the Middle East.

The late King Hussein assigned the heir apparent position, that of the crown Prince, to his eldest son shortly before the King passed away. Today, King Abdallah, 38, reigns after his father had ruled the country at the age of 17 for over 46 years. He has been managing the domestic and regional crises with competence and patience.

Weather
The weather is Jordan is pleasurable for travel throughout the year. Amman is sunny and cloudless from May to October, with temperatures averaging approximately 25c (75F). During the spring, the most beautiful season in Jordan, fields and mountains are coated with rich greenery and exquisite wildflowers. In autumn, the weather is mild and pleasant. July and August are hot and dry, but not restrictive of tourist activities. The valleys and Aqaba are ideal winter resorts, with temperatures averaging 66-72 F between November and April. Rainfall is a rare occurrence in Aqaba as well as in the desert areas of Jordan.

What to wear?
Although the country is primarily Muslim, people generally dress according to their own preferences. In fact, many Jordanian women and men wear western-style clothing. Veils and headscarves are not required for women, however it is recommended that visitors dress in non-revealing clothing as a courtesy to the somewhat conservative climate of the Jordanian culture.

When visiting a mosque, women are required to cover their heads with a scarf, so bring a scarf that will stay on your head easily-silk scarves have a tendency to slip off without you even knowing it.

Business Hours
Banks open from 8:00AM to 3:00PM Sunday through Thursday. Business offices are open from 8:00AM to 1:00PM and re-open from 3:30PM to 6:30PM. Government offices are only open from 8:00AM to 2:00PM. Shopping hours, on the other hand, are flexible. Please note that earlier closings are in effect during the holy month of Ramadan.
Friday is a weekly holiday in Jordan, and all government offices and most businesses are closed. Many businesses are closed on Thursday afternoon. Travel agencies, airlines, and many shops close for the afternoon but department stores and supermarkets remain open. A few businesses are also closed Sunday afternoons.

Money
The Jordanian Dinar, the local currency of Jordan, is commonly referred to as the “JD”. One dinar is divided into 1000 fils. Prices are usually presented using the fils unit. For example, a price tag indicating a price of 4,750 actually means 4 JD and 750 fils. It is a good idea to carry small denominations and coins as merchants rarely have adequate change.

Foreign currencies and traveler check can be exchanged at major hotels and major banks, however you will get a slightly better rate of exchange at moneychangers than at Banks. Only traveler’s checks are charged a commission. Avoid moneychangers in the street. Exchange rates are set daily by the Jordanian Central Bank and can be found published in the newspaper.

Credit cards are accepted at most large hotels, restaurants, car rental companies, and tourist shops. You will need cash for shopping in the souks. The most widely accepted cards are American Express, Visa, Diners Club, and MasterCard.

With regard to tipping, many of the better hotels and restaurants will add a gratuity of about 10 percent to your bill. However, smaller establishments usually expect you to leave a tip in line with the service that you received. Taxi drivers are generally not tipped.

Food
Jordan food derives from subtly blended flavors of parsley, mint, cinnamon, allspice, yogurt, lemon, olive oil, bulgar wheat, tahini (ground sesame seeds) eggplant, various beans, and rice. Lamb, goat, chicken, and fish are the main meats served. Breads of all kinds, shapes, sizes and flavors can be found in shops, restaurants, homes, and street vendors. (However, it is recommended that you do not buy food from street vendors)

Breakfast usually consists of bread with olive oil and spices (za’tar) for dipping, white cheese made from goat's milk, hard-boiled egg, cucumbers, tomatoes, and black olives. In hotels, Western-style buffet breakfasts can be found.

The noontime meal is the main meal of the day. Several dishes may be served along with bread, rice, and sliced vegetables. Some of the more popular ones are:

mezza: "a little bit of everything" - appetizers
shourba: soup
hummous bi tahini: a sauce, (can be for dipping), made of garbanzo beans, olive oil, tahini, lemon
baba ghannouj: roasted eggplant, mashed and combined with hummous ingredients (see above)
laban: yogurt
kibbeh: ground and finely pounded lamb. Fried, boiled, grilled -- it can be cooked 100 different ways
tabbouleh: "parsley salad," containing bulgar wheat, lemon juice, olive oil, tomatoes, and sometimes cucumbers and mint.
khoubiz: bread, similar to pita.
sfiha: "Middle East pizza"
falafel: croquettes made of finely ground garbanzo beans and flavorings, eaten in bread like a sandwich with chopped lettuce and tomatoes
fatayer sbanikh: triangular shaped spinach pies
riz: rice
batata: potatoes

Desserts are usually very sweet. Pastries made of walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, or pistachio nuts, covered with rose or orange-flavored lemon/sugar syrup flavored is popular.

Baklawa: is one of these.
knafi jibni: shredded pastry with a type of cottage cheese
ma'amoul b'jowz: walnut or date-filled cakes

Thick, highly sugared coffee is prepared individually and drunk after dinner. Sweet tea is also consumed along with various soda pops particularly orange-flavored.

Liquor and Wine
Arak is an anise-flavored liquor similar to Greek ouzo and Turkish raki. It is always mixed with water which turns the drink milky white. It is consumed with salted nuts, toasted and salted chickpeas, and pumpkin seeds. Beer is available in hotels and restaurants. Western-style liquor (spirits) can be bought in hotels and is expensive.

Visiting a Private Home
When visiting someone's home, you might find the following routine:

Upon arriving, you will be given something to drink -- probably orange juice or orange drink, or soft pop. This will eventually be followed by solid food with sweet tea afterward. There may be more visiting. You will be served small cups of coffee. This is the signal that the visit is over. To be polite, do not linger after coffee is served.

Departure Tax
All non-Jordanian passengers departing from Jordan are required to pay a departure tax of JOD 5.000 (equivalent to U.S. $7.50) per person applicable to groups and individuals alike, regardless of the length of stay in Jordan or re-entries, paid in JOD cash upon departure by passengers and not by agents. This rate is as of June 2001.

Photography
In some societies, people are uncomfortable being the subject of a tourist’s photographs. It may also be forbidden to take pictures of people (particularly women), buildings, museums, etc. In particular, refrain from photographing anything that may be associated with the military. Always ask your guide or host, or the intended subject if it is permissible to take a photograph.

Be sure to bring plenty of film as it can be hard to find, and expensive. Also, remember to bring spare batteries for your camera.

It is also fun to bring a few photos of family and home to show people. Be sensitive to the conservative attitudes of the people you will meet and avoid bringing pictures of couples openly showing affection, people in swimsuits, and women in revealing clothing. It may well not be an issue, but it is better to be safe and avoid an embarrassing moment for both you and your acquaintance.

If you bring a Video Camera, you need declare it on your passport upon arrival; otherwise you will end up paying taxes at customs upon your departure. Your tour representative can help you with this.

Amman
Like Rome, Amman is built on seven hills or jebels. It was known as Rabath Ammon in the Bible, and the Romans called it Philadelphia. It is in the center of the country and no place in Jordan is further than a five-hour drive.

Historical places which you might like to visit include the Roman Amphitheater, built in 151AD which seated 6000 people and has been partially restored, the Citadel towering above Amman, and digs from Roman, Byzantine and early Islamic times. Also, the Temple of Hercules and the Umayyad Palace. Don’t miss the Archaeological Museum including beautiful Palestinian and Jordanian embroideries. Amman is the starting point for exploring the Jordan Valley. It is a recreational center with nightclubs, cinemas, theaters, race courses and other sports facilities.

Ajloun
70 kilometers. North of Amman, through a pine forest and olive groves, lies Aljoun, one of the highest points in Jordan. Year-round, it boasts of pleasant and delightful weather. Above the city on the top of the hill you can see Al-Rabath Castle with its magnificent view of the Jordan Valley. It is an Arab defense fortress built in 1184 to defend against the Crusaders. Experience its warren of towers, chambers, galleries and hidden staircases, in its very well preserved condition.

Aqaba
One of Jordan’s fastest growing cities, Aqaba is located at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba, which is the northern extension of the Red Sea. It has a natural harbor and is Jordan’s only salt-water port, supporting worldwide trade. Aqaba has a Marine Science Station and is the base of the Jordanian Federation of Underwater Activities. There are many snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities in this area in this seaside playground. Archaeological sites and a new aquarium are open for the visitor. Aqaba enjoys a balmy tropical climate in a spectacular setting of palm trees and orange and purple-colored mountains!

Beida
A five-minute walk along a rough dirt track southwest of Petra brings us to this early Neolithic (Late Stone Age) settlement. You can see remains of walls, staircases, millstones, plastered floors, and many other items from the period of 7000-6000BC, showing the transition from nomadic hunter/gatherer society to settled, agricultural village society.

Bethany
Also called Bethabara in some bibles an other ancient texts, has always been the geographical and spiritual pivot of this area. It anchored a succession of miraculous and divine events in the Old and New Testaments. This is the only place in the Holy Land that was touched by the person of Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Elisha, John the Baptist, and Jesus Christ, and where their collective legacies still converge. This is why it is a must to visit the Baptism Archaeological Park in Jordan it is such a moving a meaningful experience for Christians, Muslims, and Jews alike.

The Dead Sea
This is both the saltiest and lowest body of water in the world, lying 1,340 feet below sea level. Situated at the mouth of the Jordan River, the Dead Sea forms part of the border between Jordan and Israel. The high salt content makes the water very buoyant, allowing swimmers to float on it easily. Spas have sprung up along the shores of the lake, as many people believe there are medicinal benefits to soaking in its waters and mud pools.

The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which according to the Old Testament were destroyed because of their wickedness, are believed to lie beneath the lake. Some of the Dead Seas Scrolls were found in caves near the Dead Sea.

Desert Castles
In the 7th and 8th centuries the Umayyad Caliphs built the Muslim treasures known as the Desert Castles, east of Amman. There are six: Mushatta, Kharana, Muwaggar, Amra and Tuba in Jordan, and the sixth is at Khirbat Al Mafjar in Jericho. These were originally hunting lodges, but of course they were the height of luxury at that time. You may see beautiful mosaics and decorative carvings reflecting the rulers of the day.

Jerash
North of Amman, this is one of the Roman Decapolis cities, which has been well preserved and shows the lifestyle of that time. You may see public baths, theaters, and a hippodrome for chariot races, Hadrian’s triumphal arch and the Temples of Zeus and Artemis are also located here.

Kerak
South of Amman on the King’s Highway is the former Moabite capital of Kerak, which was important in Byzantine times. Visit the Crusader Castle of Baldwin, a famous Crusader leader.

Madaba and Mt. Nebo
"The City of Mosaics" is located south of Amman, and is particularly famous for the 6th century Byzantine mosaic map showing Jerusalem and other holy sites dating from the Biblical times. 10 minutes to the west, is Mt. Nebo the place where Moses looked out over the River Jordan to the Promised Land. Legend has it that he is buried here.

Petra
The ancient Nabateans City is hidden in a canyon that is I km and a camel’s width wide. You can visit the famous Treasury, Corinthian Tomb, Palace Tomb, and the Roman Theater. The city is sometimes called the Rose City for the reddish-colored stone the buildings are carved out of.

Wadi Mujib and Wadi Rum
Wadi Mujib is Jordan’s answer to the Grand Canyon. It is almost 3000 feet deep and is in the southern Moab.

Wadi Rum, called the "Valley of the Moon" was the route that Lawrence of Arabia took in WWI. 300 kilometers south of Amman, it displays early Paleozoic sandstone of different periods, textures and rich colors. There are many interesting walks, climbs and overnight camping here.

Man’s civilization dawned in the Middle East and three monotheistic religions emerged there. Following is a brief description of Judaism, Christianity and Islam as much as is needed to be observed by tourists.

Judaism: God revealed to Moses the 10 Commandments on Mount St. Cathrine in Sinai but he was not permitted to enter the Holy Land. King Solomon built the first temple which was destroyed by the Babylonians. The First and Second Jewish Temples were built on the mount, which now is occupied by the Dome of the Rock and the Agsa Mosgue. The Babylonians destroyed the Second Temple. Jews believe that the old retaining wall on the Mount, which is called the Western or Wailing Wall, is part of the Temple. Archaeologists have reconstructed a model of the Second Temple, which you might visit. Synagogues of the Jewish people can be found throughout Israel and Palestine. We know of no special protocols for visiting Jewish synagogues that you need to observe, however from Friday at sundown until Saturday at sundown the Sabbath, or day of rest, is observed, and visitors to Jewish houses of worship may not be welcome during that time.

A respect for all religions and the people practicing them is requested from people enjoying our tours. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask us.

Christianity: Jordan, Israel and Palestine are territories of Christianity. Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem, and the Jordan Valley are principal destinations. Approximately 5% of Palestinians and Jordanians are Christians. Churches can be found throughout all the countries in the area. Syria has many famous Christian churches, and you can even hear Aramaic, the language of Christ, spoken in Ma’alula in Syria and by Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem. Since Christian protocol remains essentially the same in the Middle East as the United States, behavior rules are the same in both places.

Islam: For Muslims (Moslems), God revealed his eternal truths in Arabic through the Prophet Muhammad (Mohammed), 570-632AD, who lived in what is today Saudi Arabia. The revelations were collected as the Qu’ran (Koran). Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad was transported in a miraculous journey from Mecca (in modern Saudi Arabia) to Jerusalem to Heaven and then home. The Dome of the Rock commemorates the spot where he rose to Heaven and returned. After the Prophet’s death, Islam was spread by his followers and eventually encompassed an area from Bosnia to southern Russia, east to China, and south to the Philippines, and west via North Africa to Spain. We therefore can find mosques (houses of worship) throughout the world as well throughout the Middle East. Many Christian churches have been converted into mosques. Some prominent examples are in Aya Sofia in Istanbul, and the Omayyad Mosque in Damascus.

When visiting a mosque, be prepared to leave your shoes with the doorkeeper. It is not necessary to tip him. Women wear a scarf to cover the hair when entering a mosque. Black and white scarves are common, but any subdued color may be used. Prayers may be in session and quiet respect is expected. Hearing the prayers chanted could be a thrilling experience. Muslims pray five times a day and they wash before praying but this is not required of visitors.

Islam follows a lunar calendar of 12 months a year, which is shorter than the solar year by eleven days. The holiest month is Ramadan (pr. Ra-ma-dan), strict Moslems fast during the hours between daybreak and sunset, and eat between sunset and daybreak. During the fast, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking during daylight hours. Breaking the fast at the end of the day is an important event. Visitors are not expected to observe the fast, but in consideration for those who do, please refrain from smoking or eating during the hours of the fast in public during Ramadan. You may plan to eat in hotels and restaurants as desired.

For many people in the world, there's no such thing as a Universal Product Code or price tag. The merchant sizes up the buyer, the buyer sizes up the merchant and each tries to obtain the best price.

Many Westerners dislike bargaining in foreign countries, and see it as a waste of time or, worse yet, an opportunity to be swindled. However, bargaining can be pleasant -- even fun -- if you understand the "rules."

In most places where there is bargaining, there are strategies employed on both sides that are understood to be simply that: Strategies. Each side jockeys for advantage. And while there are few strategies that hold true the world over, here are some suggestions to try on your trip:

1. Before going shopping, ask a local person how much you should pay for a particular item. This primarily applies to food or household items that residents might buy frequently. Or talk to your concierge if you're interested in a specific high-ticket item. Even armed with this knowledge, however, expects to pay a little above the locals' price -- it's often a matter of pride to get a better-than-average price from a tourist.
2. Offer much lower than you really want to pay. How much lower depends upon where you are and what you're buying. Generally speaking, offering a quarter to a third of the price quoted for souvenirs in most developing countries is a good start, but there are exceptions. If, for instance, you were buying a rug in Morocco, you would be foolish to offer more than a tenth the asking price (or to pay more than a fifth).
3. Be polite. This is where many tourists make a mistake. Insulting the seller by saying,: "Your prices are outrageous," or "Don't try to cheat me!" won't get you very far, and reinforces negative stereotypes about Westerners.
4. It's much better, in fact to humble yourself. Pick up an item you're interested in. "You like?" the merchant asks. "Yes, it's very nice." "How much you pay?" "Oh, I could never afford such an item." "Please tell me your price." "I'm afraid I'd insult you if I told you what I could pay. I can't pay what it's worth." "Go ahead, tell me how much you pay." Then you name a ridiculously low price. The merchant will counter with a price that's higher than what you said, but much lower than he might quote to other tourists. You can slowly raise your price, and he can slowly lower his; you've set yourself up well. Americans negotiate 50-50 by splitting the asking price, but this is not the rule in developing countries where less than 50% of the asking price can be obtained. Try to figure out a reasonable wholesale price and add a reasonable profit for the seller.
5. Don't denigrate the merchandise. Conventional wisdom says to point out flaws or defects to get a lower price. In practice, this is a rather transparent tactic, and the fact that you're bargaining for the item at all is a pretty good indication that you consider the defect minor. If there is a flaw you can live with, the better strategy is to bargain your best price without mentioning the flaw. Then, just before you're ready to hand over the money, you "notice" it. Say that you're sorry, but you don't want it with the flaw, and start to put it back. The price will almost always come down a little further to get you to take it. (Note: This won't work if there are similar items that are in good condition.)
6. Give the merchant excuses to lower his price. Say you can't afford the "normal" price because you're a student, you’re newly married, or recently divorced. You have 10 children. You must support your elderly parents. You just lost your job. You just started your job.
7. Good cop, bad cop. If you and your companion spot something you want, one of you should say, in front of the merchant, "Look at this! Isn't it great?" The other should look at it with disdain, say "Put it back," and walk on. The merchant will approach the one who showed interest and encourage him or her to buy. Then, no matter what price is quoted, the answer should be, "Gee, for something that much, I'd have to ask my wife (husband)." The price will keep dropping every time you make a move to get the other spouse involved.
8. Have a friend do the bargaining. Merchants can tell when you're truly hooked on an item, and will have no incentive to go lower after they've seen that gleam in your eye. But find a friend who is truly disinterested, give him a set limit to spend and wait somewhere out of sight. The friend should tell the merchant he is buying for someone else, and at a certain point in the bargaining, should tell the merchant that he simply has no authority to go above that price. There is little a merchant can say other than "yes" or "no." He can't move your offer.
9. Walk away - even out the door. Sellers may chase you down the street!

Most shopping will be in the large cities such as Amman. There are many different nationalities in the city so there are a wide variety of wares. Handicrafts and handmade articles are abundant, many of which come from the Bedouins in the outlying area. Some things you might look for are:

The language of Jordan is Arabic. Classical Arabic is used in all official correspondence, newspapers, and TV news; however, it is rarely spoken “on the street”. Colloquial (local dialect) Arabic is the spoken language and varies from country to country. For example, in North Africa other languages, such as Berber and French, influence it. In Egypt, the accent and pronunciation is changed. Therefore, spoken communication can be difficult between people from different countries. In Lebanon, French and English are widely understood.

Arabic is read from right to left. We list below some common expressions in Arabic spoken in the Levant (Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan). Words are gendered, having different endings for “male” and “female”.

ah-len wa sah-len: formal greeting
marhaba: hello
ma sa-laa-ma: good-bye ("Go in Peace")
sa-bah al hair: good morning
sa-bah-an-noor: good morning - response
kee-fik: how are you (feminine)
kee-fak: how are you (masculine)
nam: yes
la: no
shu-kran: thank you
af-wan: you’re welcome
wain___?: where is_____?
wain ha-mmam?: where is the bathroom?
kit-eer gha-li: too expensive
ah-roo-h he-nak___: I want to go___
dok-tor: doctor
bi kam? How much?

Numbers:
1. wa-hid
2. ith-nain
3. tha-la-tha
4. ar-baa
5. kham-sa
6. sit-tah
7. sa-ba-ah
8. tha-man-i-ah
9. tis-sah
10. ah-sha-ra

Arab Music is a unique form of music heard in Arab countries from the Gulf to the Meghreb. Traditional or Classic Arab music is performed by acoustic instruments. In recent years electric instruments which can produce quartertones have been introduced.

Arab music scales are not chromatic like the major and minor scales used in occidental music. It is the quartertone, which makes this music so unique and expandable. Because of this quality, Arab music has a variety of scales unfamiliar to the Western ear. These scales represent a mode, a human emotion, or a feeling. Some are suitable for morning listening, some for late night. These scales are called Maqaams (positions). Some of the common Maqaams are Hijaz, Bayaat, Saba, Siga and Kurd, and most Arabic songs utilize several Maqaam to express the various emotions introduced in the poetry of each song.

The historic origin of this music is extremely heterogeneous. Early Arab musicians borrowed from the Egyptians, Assyrians, and Sumerians. Many of the instruments now used are direct descendents of those that appeared in wall paintings and carvings of those civilizations. Greek music theory was translated into Arabic in the 8th and 9th centuries as the science of music became one of the courses of the quadrivium, and was studied by most students of the period.

Seven treatises of music theory appeared under the name of Al-Kindi (d. 874) and three have survived in print. After Al-Kindi there was a gap of about a century in documentation. Following Al-Kindi, the great theorist Al-Farabi published his book Al-Kitaab Al-Kabeer which included immense and detailed information on music and music instruments of that era. Being a good mathematician and physicist, Al-Farabi was able to handle the physical bases of sounds by making valuable contributions to physiological acoustics, i.e. the sensation of tone, which is part of Greek music theory.

OUD, al-‘Oud (meaning "wood") is a highly ornate instrument made of wood with six double strings, pear-shaped body and non-fretted neck. It is plucked with an eagle feather or a pick. The ‘Oud originated in Ancient Egypt and was later adopted by the Persians, who brought it to the Arabian Peninsula. The great Iraqi musician, Zeriab, introduced the 'Oud to Spain and later to Europe when he sought refuge in Andalusia.

QANOUN: al-Qanoun (meaning "rule", "law") is a descendant of the old Egyptian Harp. The form of the Qanoun is a trapezoid-shaped flat board over which 81 strings are stretched in groups of three, with 24 treble chords consisting of three chords to each note with movable frets called ‘Urab. The Qanoun is placed flat on the knees of the musician: the strings are plucked with the finger or with two plectra, one plectrum attached to the forefinger of each hand plucking separate octaves.

NAY: A Persian word used to describe a single reed pipe. It is one of the oldest instruments in the Middle East. The Nay has 6 holes in the front for the fingers to play, and 1 hole underneath for the thumb. Fine, mellow tones are produced by blowing gently through the orifice of the tube while manipulating the fingers and thumbs: the force of blowing scales (Maqaams) generates octaves by utilizing Nays of various lengths.

MIJWIZ: (means dual) is a type of double reed clarinet played by breathing gently through a circular aperture and by manipulating the fingers over the holes down the front of the tube. The sound it produces may reflect a musical dialogue between two moods

DAF: also known as the Rikk, which corresponds to the English tambourine. It consists of a round frame covered on one side by goat or fish skin, with pairs of metal discs set into the frame that jingle when the hand strikes it. The sounds of this percussion instrument set the rhythm of Arab music.

TABLAH /Darbouka: is also a percussion instrument; made of clay or metal with goat or fish skin stretched over its larger opening. It is placed on the leg; beaten with both hands yielding different sounds: when beaten near the edge it produces sounds like (tic), or near the middle the sound is more like (dom), establishing several rhythmic scales to accompany the meter of sounds produced by accompanied instruments.

Tradition dictates that if you admire an item belonging to another person in an Arab country, it will be automatically given to you. Now technically, you may say, “That necklace on you is lovely,” but not, “What a lovely necklace that is.” The inference is that you admire someone’s taste as a pleasant object, but not admire it because you want such a thing. Please remember to try not, either directly or indirectly, to give an Arab person cause to think you would like any of their possessions, including jewelry, clothing, souvenirs, etc. This can result in cultural misunderstanding and embarrassment. This can also cause you to be the recipient of an article that you really may not want! Please be very careful of this traditional practice in this culture. Thank you.

When traveling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. In most countries of the world it is illegal to deal in drugs. If you are caught in possession of illegal drugs, you will be arrested. Drug dealing, particularly in the Arab world, is a very serious offense and the penalties are severe. Foreign jails are not pleasant places – most require that you supply your own food and necessities.

Do not rely on our consular corps to bail you out. They are there for diplomatic purposes, and some help. They do not loan money or buy tickets. In most cases they will only be able to visit you in jail to verify that you are not being treated inhumanely, receive due process of the local law, and pass messages to family.

It is reported that AIDS is widespread throughout the world. We urge you to take all precautions in this regard.

Removing antiquities from most countries is not allowed any longer. Do not rely on the advice of the seller of antiquities. If you plan to buy antiquities, check with proper authorities.

We would like you to abide by the laws of the countries we visit and have a fun time while you are there.