* If there's anything Jordanians love more than their current king (Abdullah II), it's their late king (Hussein); royal photos are blown up on just about every wall in Amman.
* Khafiyas (traditional headdresses) are infinitely comfortable.
* I know enough Arabic to make halting conversation with Jordanian taxi drivers and/or salespeople. Marhaba! Esmi Jessica, ana amerkiyye, men Utah. W enti mneen? Qadesh il buzza? Wahaad dinar? Shukran w salam aleikum!
* Don't tell Jordanian taxi drivers you're studying in al-Quds (Jerusalem) unless you want an awkward anti-Israel rant.
* The late King Hussein had a lot of expensive cars, and for three dinars, you can see them in a museum downtown. It's worth it.
* American food tastes six million times better when you manage to find it in a refreshingly Western mall in Amman.
* Swiss ice cream is the best in the world.
* Parisian pastries are divine.
* Both of the above can be found in Amman, a city both diverse and surprisingly modern.
* Two of the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed in a sketchy little museum near the Temple of Hercules at the Amman Citadel, along with replicas of a Nabatean god that bears an uncanny resemblance to Spongebob Squarepants.
* There is approximately eight hundred percent humidity in the Jordan River Valley.
* The beautiful Roman ruins at Jerash are incredibly underrated (at least, I had no idea about them until my visit).
* Petra is absolutely unbelievable.
* Petra contains much, much more than just the famous Treasury you see in all the textbook pictures.
* The little Bedouin children who sell jewelry at Petra are seriously convincing. I spent far too much.
* In some mosques, there are rooms full of long, black robes for unsuspecting infidel tourists like me to wear inside, which make for impromptu "Emperor Palpatine" impersonations.
* Arrested Development makes any bus ride fly by.
Bottom line: Jordan is beautiful and I had a great time. Here are some pictures...
I'm overlooking a Crusader castle...
Being actively stunned by the Monastery at Petra (quite a hike, but worth it!)...
Letting Bedouin children stick flowers in my hair...
Taking in the immensity of Petra's famous Treasury...
Being held for ransom in front of said Treasury...
And being intensively modest in a Jordanian mosque.
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