#31 blog post challange for OCT.2022 #day7

                           Mansaf

Mansaf is a traditional Jordanian dish made of lamb cooked in a goat milk yogurt and served with rice and topped with almond slices . it is very mild taste dish. This yogurt is prepared by the boiling of sheep or goat milk. This sauce has a very distinct fermented and salty flavor. It is Jordan's national dish.

When we traveled to Jordan last year we had a unique experience of Jordanian hospitality while eating this famous dish Mansaf. 

It was a day before we flew back home and me and 2 more friends wanted to eat this famous dish. 

We searched one restaurant in the market area  and went there. One of my friends can talk Arabic so she talked with the cook and asked how to eat this dish and ordered accordingly for us. The yogurt sauce and rice is served separately and we have to take a scoop of rice and then add the sauce and some roasted nuts  on the top in each plate and eat it. 

So we 3 were eating it and speaking in English and having fun. There was a young man sitting on the next table alone and eating and also looking at us every now and then. But we did not really pay much attention to him. After some time he finished his food and came to out table and spoke in very good english to us. He said Hello and asked us if we like the Mansaf . we said yes for sure. He politely asked us if he could give some more details of this dish and explained a bot more. We thanked him and he wished us good time and turned and started walking downstairs and while going down he told us by the way I have already paid for your food. We were so surprised and stunned that we could just say Thank you it is really not necessary to pay for us. But he did not give us chance to say anything more and said you all are our guests and welcome in my country. This is a Jordanian welcome to you and went out. 

We 3 were really speechless. Mansaf tasted even better after that 😃In Jordan we met such nice people many times. We don't even know that young man's name but we thank him from bottom of our heart .

Travel is all about taking different experiences and  I am very lucky that all of my travels till now made me rich with many beautiful, interesting experiences.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#31 blog post challange for OCT.2022 #day3

           Pandemic Travel PCR Test Fun (Part2)

During the pandemic, I had several interesting and amusing encounters with PCR tests and their timings. I can't even count how many times I took these tests or how much I paid for them. One such memorable experience occurred during my trip to Jordan in January 2022.

I had a fantastic trip in Jordan from December 25th, 2021, until January 6th, 2022. Finally, it was time to fly back to Germany. On January 5th, I took my test at 10:30 in the morning, and my flight was scheduled for the night of January 6th, technically making it January 7th. I thought it would be fine since the test couldn't be older than 72 hours.

I arrived at the Amman airport well in advance, but during check-in, the staff asked for my vaccine pass, which I didn't have. I informed them that as a German national, I was allowed to travel with a negative PCR test instead of a vaccine certificate. I even showed them the official website information to support my claim. Eventually, they accepted this, but when they examined my test certificate, they said it wasn't valid because the 48-hour limit would exceed by the time I reached Frankfurt. I argued that the rule stated a 72-hour limit, but they insisted it had just changed.

Feeling frustrated, I escalated the situation to the manager. They informed me that they would contact the German consulate for guidance. My passport details were sent to the consulate, and I had to wait anxiously. The time for my flight was approaching rapidly, and I feared I would miss it and have to book another one. However, around 11:40, the manager informed me that I had to take another test before I could proceed. Luckily, the test center at Amman airport was open 24 hours, so I hurried outside and paid 80 euros, even though the regular price in Jordan was only 30 euros. At that point, I was in a rush and desperate, so the cost didn't bother me much. The next hurdle came when the test center staff couldn't guarantee that I would receive the result within an hour. I panicked and explained that my flight was in 40 minutes, but I had no choice but to accept their response. At that moment, I almost lost hope of making it onto the flight.

After taking the test, I returned to the check-in counter and shared my concerns with the manager, explaining what the test center staff had told me. To my surprise, the manager remained calm and assured me, saying, "Don't worry, you'll get the result on time. I'm sure of it." I began to wonder if all this was just a ploy to extract money for the test. Miraculously, I received my negative test result within 15 minutes, and I was able to check-in immediately. I boarded the flight to Doha as the last person, rushing through passport control and security. Finally, I made it back to Frankfurt from Doha.

One positive aspect I noticed in Jordan was that whenever we needed a PCR test, a person would come to our hotel to conduct the test, which cost only 30 euros, and the results would be sent via WhatsApp within three hours. In contrast, in a so-called first-world country like Germany, PCR tests were much more expensive at almost 80 euros, took more than 24 hours to obtain results, were not available as home or hotel services, and the test centers were not open 24/7 (although I recently saw a test center open at Frankfurt airport during the night). There is some progress happening. Germany is lagging far behind in terms of digitization compared to a country like Jordan, where everything was quick, easy, and digital, with payments made through credit cards. The process was user-friendly and efficient.

Despite the challenges, I thoroughly enjoyed these experiences and am ready for new adventures

 

#31 blog post challange for OCT.2022 #day2

            Pandemic travel PCR Test Fun Part1

I have a deep passion for traveling, but the pandemic posed numerous challenges for me. I made a personal choice not to get vaccinated, and I stand firm in my reasons, regardless of others' opinions. But any way the time when i was not vaccinated and still was traveling a lot ofcourse had to do tests all time which is fine and i don't mind paying 80 euro for PCR test before flying . Also even doing quick tests every 2 days . I was fine with all this than taking a vaccine.

        In November 2021, I embarked on a holiday trip to Cyprus. It was a marvelous vacation, and when the time came to return home, I adhered to my routine of taking a PCR test. I made sure to time it correctly, ensuring that the test was conducted 30 hours prior to my flight. Fortunately, the test result came back negative, and I was all set to fly back. However, as soon as we boarded the flight, we encountered a technical issue that prevented us from taking off. After three hours of waiting inside the airplane, we were informed that the flight was canceled, and the airline would arrange accommodation for us in a hotel. We were assured that we would receive an email with the details of our re-booked flights. It was already late at night, around 11:30 p.m. Concerned about the validity of my PCR test until I reached Germany, I approached the staff for clarification. Unfortunately, they couldn't provide a definitive answer and promised to consult with their manager, which they never did.

The next day, I was re-booked for an early morning flight through London instead of my original direct flight. When I reached the British Airways counter in the morning, I expressed my concerns about the validity of my PCR test. The staff reassured me that it was still valid. Although I was willing to retake the test, I discovered that the test center was not open at that hour. Consequently, I proceeded with the flight, confident that my test result remained valid until I reached London.

Upon arrival at London airport, I proceeded to the next terminal for my Frankfurt flight. As I approached the check-in counter, the staff asked for my test certificate. I presented it, but they informed me that it appeared to be invalid. I promptly shared the entire story and even offered to take another test on the spot. However, they informed me that the test center is located outside the airport premises, making it impractical. Determined to find a solution, I asked them for alternative options.

After consulting with their colleagues, they gathered around with pen and paper, meticulously calculating the various time zones involved. After careful consideration, they eventually delivered the news, "Well, you made it just in time." because I did the test in Cyprus which has different time zone than UK and then now I am in London again another time zone and then going to Frankfurt which is one hour ahead of UK so after calculating all the time differences As per UK time I will reach Germany in time and so my test result is still valid 😊 Consequently, according to UK time, my test result would still be valid upon my arrival in Germany. This realization brought me great relief and a sense of accomplishment.

In the end, everything went smoothly, and I arrived in Germany without any further issues. Throughout this journey, I have accumulated countless amusing experiences about these tests. I have lost the count of money I spent on these tests. I firmly believe that life is enriched by such diverse experiences, and I embrace each one with joy.

 

#31 blog post challange for OCT.2022 #Day1

                             Pandemic Travel

In 2020 pandemic hit all of us and life changed completely. In 2017 I decided to see new years firework every year from a different country and also manged it till 2019 but in 2020 i was not sure if will be able to keep my promise to myself. But I was lucky and could fly to Madeira island in Portugal. it was very new style of flying or travel in general because of pandemic.

First I did a PCR test 1 day before flying . For that we had to go to Frankfurt airport as It was not available that easily anywhere else. for this I Had to take online appointment and pay online and then go to the airport for the test. but I must say all went relatively smooth considering the large number of people and everyone confused, changing rules everyday . 

Going to airport with public transport , doing the test and then come back home by public transport and then fly after 1 day ....how this can show I am still negative at the time of flying  was beyond my understanding but hey whatever govt. says you do . I was happy i was able to fly and celebrate new year in different country.

Few days before my travel date there was a curfew in Germany and we were not allowed to go out after 8 p.m.  and my flight was early morning at 5 that means I need to take a train around 3 in the night . It was not possible to go out of house at that time so finally I decided to take a train just before 8 in the night and then stay at the airport for the whole night.  No nearby hotel was allowing tourists to stay in the hotel as a govt. rule . Only business travelers were allowed. So only option was really to stay at the airport.  But that was not so bad. airport had good toilets , some food stalls and free WIFI.... what more you need 😊 But one uncomfortable thing that we had to wear masks  all time . 

After all these small and big problems finally I flew to Madeira next day and the trip was wonderful.

Not that many tourists there so travel was smooth , hotel was great, better weather than in Germany and not so many restrictions as in Germany. So it was really nice holiday.  Also I was able to do all tours like a private tour but for very cheap price.

Finally on 31st Dec. 2020 watched the best fireworks directly from the balcony of my hotel room in the sea. well it was sea view room so I had the best view. And I kept my promise made to myself to celebrate new year in new country every year even during pandemic. 

I feel really grateful and blessed that I was able to travel and without any health issues during that difficult time.