I don’t quite understand the “no liquids” on an airplane rule. Couldn’t they give us lip balm or lotion on the plane? Or at least offer us more water? It was tortuous going so many hours without. Sama and I were so dehydrated In Frankfort we had to refuel with a couple Red Bulls and were using the testers in the Duty Free Stores. Sherry and Wendy met us at the gate and we headed to Amman.
Sama’s father, Dr. Alshaibi is waiting for us with Rozalinda. She’s having a slight problem with her visa. As a Romanian, she has to apply for a visa every place she travels. As American citizens (Wendy has a greencard) we just pay the fee and don’t have a problem. I can’t tell if she’s tired or frazzled, but someone in charge has taken her passport. One of Dr. Alshaibi’s students happens to work there and is taking care of it.
Rozalinda gets her passport back and we head to the baggage claim. Dr. Alshaibi’s wife, Intesar, is waiting with the two boys and friends. She is a tall, beautiful woman wearing a nice suit and heels. Her home is in Iraq, and these past few months have been very difficult for her. She is nothing but gracious to us.
Bags start to emerge, all except for mine. My bag along with all of my installation equipment and gifts was lost by United. Either the Germans or the Americans never put it on the plane. Royal Jordanian (in the Amman airport) cut me a check for $70.00(around 50 dinars. 301.10 shekels) on the spot for my “inconvenience.” In the U.S. if you’re lucky, they give you toothpaste. I have a feeling I’ll be winging it with one pair of pants for 2 weeks.
Walking outside to the car and my feet feel different. Beneath them is a smooth white marble, not concrete…..marble.
We pile into two cars, pick up some fresh, just-fried falafel, then head home to get some sleep before we try to cross the bridge.
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