Jordan is tiny, poor, and it stinks. Give it up people!

It is important for people to have national pride. It forms their identity and it announces to the world their allegiance to a nation. Also, it gives them a sense of belonging. However, Jordanians go too far in many ways. 

I mean the country is tiny, poor, and if you have been to Zarqa, it stinks! 

Jordan is so tiny that you can drive from extreme north (Ramtha) to extreme south (Aqaba) in about 4 hours; less if you don't count a couple of check points and peoples' urge to take breaks as if they're driving the whole length of Hwy 80.  I remember those school trips we took to Aqaba in the early 90's, when, at arrival, students would race to the main post office to call home and yell at the top of their lungs that everything is OK and they arrived safely. I did that too. But to think of it, you just saw your family three hours ago. Is it necessary to call them right away as if you flew across the atlantic. Give it a rest. they are probably happy they got you out of the house. 

And, don't get me started on the Dead Sea. On a visit to Jordan I asked if anybody wanted to go the Dead Sea "now." The look on their faces was like a little kid being told there is no Santa, you're adopted, or "let's go to the dentist." 

Let's leave it to the weekend, they would say after the shocking looks on their faces have subsided. Have in mind that the Dead Sea is less than 30 minutes away from Amman. A 30 minutes trip does not require the devotion of a whole weekend. 

I guess my family's idea of a trip is waking up at 4am, cook magloubeh and sfee7a, and ride donkeys and camels until we reach El Ghour in time for lunch, then pack up and head back. 

Jordan is so poor, thanks to الحكومة الرشيدة و المسؤولين الكفوئين . Think about it. I remember paying 3.15 JDs ($5) tuition for a whole year of public schools' education. Textbooks included. You might say that this cost is more expensive than that of US public schools, which are free. But, when your family "qualifies for a discount" from that 3.15, then you're poor living in a poor country. 

Jordan stinks so bad. I had the unfortunate experience of living in the stinkiest parts of the of the stinkiest city. I lived in the area surrounding the only refinery in the country. Aside form the dreadfully polluted air, the daily, very loud 7am horn sound, and the slippery and dangerous streets going in and out of the refinery and it's neighbour: King Hussein electric station, Aside from all that is محطة السمرا للتنقية. Imagine those hot summer nights' breeze bringing you the pungent aroma of what used to be the above mgloubeh! 

I also had to go through the Zarqa transportation complex. Anybody who was ever courageous enough (or had no other option) to cross into the complex on a daily bases deserves وسام الاستقلال من الدرجة الاولى more than those disappearing ambassadors. 

There you have it. Jordan first or not, sometimes you have to sit back and take a look at your country and stop electing your second cousin's uncle's brother in law to the parliament and elect somebody who has the guts to demand change!