First of all...I'm convinced that Jordan imported the horn and then had to import a car to carry it.
Jordanians (or at least those that live in Amman) love horns. I think they mostly honk out of frustration. "Move over dammit" and "Hurry up you jerk."
But I hear them as well in the middle of the night when there are few cars about. Why are they honking? And why is it so loud?
Taxis also honk at me and anybody else they think should be taking a cab...and they keep honking.
About speed limits - I don't think there are any. There certainly aren't many signs in town with limits posted.
We asked a cab driver on our first day about speed limits since he seemed to be going a little fast - in our opinion.
He just pointed to the speedometer. But, we could see how fast he was going; instead we were wondering how fast he was allowed to go.
Turns out, we think, that he meant to point to the top speed marked on the gauge...that was apparently how fast he thought he was allowed to go.
And why not? We had seen no police cruising the streets and the ticket for speeding is 20 JD or about $30...so what the hell.
There aren't a lot of signs of any type on the road - at least in Amman. On the road going south signs were posted indicating "no passing." At least that's what they appeared to be: Two cars moving along the road side by side, with the one on the left darkened - "no passing."
Mind you, this was a completely straight road with desert on both sides. One could see for miles in either direction, including along the road.
On this same high-speed, but two lane, road we had to be on the lookout for the random speed bump (???) in the middle of the road and in the middle of nowhere. No nice "speed bump" sign as warning. It made our driver nervous...me, too.
Parking is an issue that Jordanians don't seem to take seriously.
Parking along the street is pretty much where you stop the car.
On the curb or halfway into the street.
And revisiting the parking lot outside school (originally pictured in my post "Curious Stuff")...
You see the problem that's brewing...several cars are blocked in.
At least one owner also spotted the problem.
The fellows eventually started arm-wrestling on the trunk of the black car -whether for the parking space or egress, I'm not sure.
One thing that complicates driving in Amman is the placement of concrete "islands" along many of the major roads. This means, of course, that casual left turns can't be made. Which sounds like a good thing -- maybe.
But here we have a major intersection...and it is replete with these concrete barriers...which means in order to get from Point A
to Point B, it's necessary to make a U-turn...a sharp U-turn. Possibly several.
Like here...the SUV on the right is about to make U-ey around the end of the barrier...
Sometimes there's a donkey and his owner moving through the traffic.
And then there's the odd horseman making their way to town.
Jordanians (or at least those that live in Amman) love horns. I think they mostly honk out of frustration. "Move over dammit" and "Hurry up you jerk."
But I hear them as well in the middle of the night when there are few cars about. Why are they honking? And why is it so loud?
Taxis also honk at me and anybody else they think should be taking a cab...and they keep honking.
About speed limits - I don't think there are any. There certainly aren't many signs in town with limits posted.
We asked a cab driver on our first day about speed limits since he seemed to be going a little fast - in our opinion.
He just pointed to the speedometer. But, we could see how fast he was going; instead we were wondering how fast he was allowed to go.
Turns out, we think, that he meant to point to the top speed marked on the gauge...that was apparently how fast he thought he was allowed to go.
And why not? We had seen no police cruising the streets and the ticket for speeding is 20 JD or about $30...so what the hell.
There aren't a lot of signs of any type on the road - at least in Amman. On the road going south signs were posted indicating "no passing." At least that's what they appeared to be: Two cars moving along the road side by side, with the one on the left darkened - "no passing."
Mind you, this was a completely straight road with desert on both sides. One could see for miles in either direction, including along the road.
On this same high-speed, but two lane, road we had to be on the lookout for the random speed bump (???) in the middle of the road and in the middle of nowhere. No nice "speed bump" sign as warning. It made our driver nervous...me, too.
Parking is an issue that Jordanians don't seem to take seriously.
Parking along the street is pretty much where you stop the car.
On the curb or halfway into the street.
And revisiting the parking lot outside school (originally pictured in my post "Curious Stuff")...
You see the problem that's brewing...several cars are blocked in.
At least one owner also spotted the problem.
The fellows eventually started arm-wrestling on the trunk of the black car -whether for the parking space or egress, I'm not sure.
One thing that complicates driving in Amman is the placement of concrete "islands" along many of the major roads. This means, of course, that casual left turns can't be made. Which sounds like a good thing -- maybe.
But here we have a major intersection...and it is replete with these concrete barriers...which means in order to get from Point A
Like here...the SUV on the right is about to make U-ey around the end of the barrier...
...even though it is clearly marked - No U-turn. But then this "rule" doesn't seem to be enforced, so...
This interesting arrangement also means when hailing a cab, it's important to be on the "right" side of the street - otherwise the increase in fare could reflect the extra maneuvers the cabbie had to take to get going in the "right" direction.
Pedestrians complicate the traffic problem. Many walk in the street and have total disregard for cars and the damage a car could do to the human body.
People cross the street whenever they're ready - whether cars are coming or not. Trusting, of course, that they won't be hit. And they're not. The cars slow down or veer around and the world goes on.
I'm usually not so trusting, however. I find myself waiting and waiting for a break in the traffic, or some kind soul slows and lets me through. But sometimes I simply take a deep breath and start walking. So far I haven't been hit.
I do get the feeling sometimes that a car or two has aimed for me or stepped on the gas on seeing me step into the street. Maybe not, but it's worrisome. Crossing the street in Amman is not for the faint at heart.
And...unlike in Saudi Arabic, women are allowed to drive in Jordan. Everyone texts and drives.
Pedestrians complicate the traffic problem. Many walk in the street and have total disregard for cars and the damage a car could do to the human body.
People cross the street whenever they're ready - whether cars are coming or not. Trusting, of course, that they won't be hit. And they're not. The cars slow down or veer around and the world goes on.
I'm usually not so trusting, however. I find myself waiting and waiting for a break in the traffic, or some kind soul slows and lets me through. But sometimes I simply take a deep breath and start walking. So far I haven't been hit.
I do get the feeling sometimes that a car or two has aimed for me or stepped on the gas on seeing me step into the street. Maybe not, but it's worrisome. Crossing the street in Amman is not for the faint at heart.
And...unlike in Saudi Arabic, women are allowed to drive in Jordan. Everyone texts and drives.
Sometimes there's a donkey and his owner moving through the traffic.
And then there's the odd horseman making their way to town.
So you've ridden a horse and a donkey; I think it's time you really showed your courage by driving a car.
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