Thank goodness for taxis

Bless Todd's heart. He really tried to make sure everything was ready for us when we arrived back from the States. One of the things he tried to make sure we would have when we arrived is transportation. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, our transportation fell through.

The last 2 times we'd flown into Jordan there was a small bus waiting for us and all our luggage. This was arranged through his work. We tried to get the bus again to take us back to our villa but this time we got two trucks. This wasn't a big problem as we were able to fit all our luggage in the back and our bodies in the front. The only problem was once the trucks dropped us off we really didn't have a way to get around town. We don't live within walking distance of a grocery store. Well, you might say we live within walking distance but you have to cross a major road (if not THE major road) that leads to the city of Amman. It's called Airport Road. Todd describes crossing this road as a real life version of Frogger. We've seen people do it. And luckily we've never witnessed nor hope to witness anyone not making it. Fortunately the taxi service around here is good. Todd had the number of a taxi driver who really came through for us those first couple of days.

So just after we arrive at the villa Todd gets a text from the manager of the rental company we used in Kuwait. Todd had been trying to get a hold of this guy because this guy said he'd have a car for our family when we arrived in Jordan. This text says there is a car big enough for our family waiting for us at the airport. Here in Jordan we don't live 10 minutes from the airport like we've lived for the last nearly 15 years. So this was a big inconvenience to have to go back to the airport. But it needed to be done. We did decide to wait til the next morning as it was late and we had to set up shop here at the villa.

The next morning Todd did walk to the small store (it's like a mini mart) but he took the long route as he wanted to return to us in one piece. Then as Todd was on the phone arranging things with the school they informed him today was orientation. 10 o'clock for Cricket's agegroup and noon for the older kids. Since we knew so little about this school and what we're supposed to do we thought it important to go. Zaid, the aforementioned taxi driver, took Cricket and I to the school then Todd to the airport to pick up the car. Zaid then returned back with Todd and they picked up Cricket, took her to the villa and Zaid brought the older three back to the school and Todd stayed home to babysit. Orientation will be another post. This one is already too long.

Basically Todd's experience at the airport was a waste. He went looking for SixT, the company we used in Kuwait. He couldn't find their booth. He called the Kuwait manager, said he was at the airport and where was the booth. The manager said it was right next to Avis. Todd still didn't see it. The manager explained Todd must be in the wrong terminal. So Todd went to the other terminal. Still no SixT. Todd went back to Avis and asked if they knew where the SixT booth was. Avis explained there was no SixT booth at the airport but Avis did have the Jordan SixT manager's number. So Todd called. They had no booking for us and no car big enough for our family. They'd never heard of us. Todd calls the Kuwait manager to ask what's going on. The Kuwait guy says "where are you?" Todd, frustrated at this point, tells him he's in the Queen Alia Jordan airport. The guy is quiet then says, "You're in Jordan? I thought you needed a car in Kuwait." Yes, there was a big car all ready for us in Kuwait.

So we had to start from scratch trying to locate a car here in Jordan. It's not as easy as it seems. In Kuwait SUVs and other large cars were a dime a dozen. Here in Jordan gas is much more expensive and people aren't as wealthy so they drive much more affordable cars. The rental prices here are also much higher than they were in Kuwait. Rental companies don't have Suburbans and big vans. In fact I don't think I've seen even one Suburban here. I'm sure they exist because I've heard they do but they are certainly a minority. And the vans you see are maintenance vehicles so they don't have all the seats we need for our family.

We were able to locate this one van. It's a manual transmission but I'm getting used to it. Thanks Dad for teaching me how to drive one or I'd really be in trouble as there are lots of hills here. It only has one sliding door which has been hard to get used to. The funny thing is is that the paneling on the inside has come loose so when you open this door it hooks and won't open. Someone from the inside has to push on the paneling to unhook it so the door will fully open. The kids either have to crawl from the front to the back to push on it or Todd or I have to reach our arm through the front door toward the back and if we give it a good smack in just the right spot then it will open up. Not all the seatbelts work which worries me. But at least we have transportation.

We're working on getting our residency so that we'll be able to buy a big car and Todd's company will arrange for a small car to rent for him. Here's the van.