![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Usama-and-Jess.jpg\")
<\/a>Writer Jess with the legendary Usama in Wadi Rum<\/p><\/div>\n
Modestly, he credits Jordan\u2019s tourism curriculum, along with Intrepid Travel\u2019s training program, for his success. \u201cThrough the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, you must learn all aspects of Jordan,\u201d says Usama. \u201cYou must know about history, archeology, politics, economics, religion, ecology. And, of course, you must study how to interact effectively with visitors.\u201d He laughs about role-playing exercises during a course for managing difficult situations. I ask how often those teachings come in handy and he smiles. \u201cIt\u2019s all part of being a guide,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT INTREPID’S LOCAL LEADERS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n As he talked about his education, I couldn\u2019t help but think that many qualities which make him such a stellar guide, are ones that can\u2019t be taught. Take his insatiable curiosity. If you ask him a question about Jordan that he can\u2019t answer, he won\u2019t rest until he uncovers the information. And, perhaps, most strikingly, is his openness and flexibility with different personalities and situations. He shrugs off that compliment and says most Jordanians are open. \u201cIt\u2019s who we are as a people,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n Usama in action<\/p><\/div>\n One afternoon while perched on a massive rock formation, waiting on Wadi Rum\u2019s spectacular sunset, I ask what he wishes visitors understood about Jordan. In classic Usama style, he darts from food to religion to landscape. Suddenly, he stops and says, \u201cBasically it comes down to this, the most important thing for any traveler to our country is to come with an open mind. I hope people come to our country to gain an experience,\u201d he adds. \u201cI guarantee they won\u2019t be disappointed.\u201d<\/p>\n Here are 4 things Usama wishes YOU knew about Jordan:<\/p>\n Before arriving, I read tales of unparalleled hospitality, inspired by traditional Bedouin culture. Within minutes of landing in Amman, my husband Matt and I came face-to-face with that legendary trait in the form of a taxi driver who invited us to his home for dinner. We declined, saying we were exhausted from the journey, but thanked him profusely.<\/p>\n To our surprise, when we arrived to our hotel, the driver parked and accompanied us inside to make sure our reservation was in order. He asked nothing extra in return, but suggested we keep in touch. Over the following days, he became our virtual guide (via WhatsApp) to local food, sending photos of must-taste dishes and addresses for recommended restaurants.<\/p>\n Did I mention how delicious Jordanian food is?<\/p><\/div>\n When we told Usama about this exchange, he scolded us and said, \u201cYou should have gone to dinner.\u201d And, we knew he was right. This soul-filling interaction was only one example of over-the-top kindness we experienced. Walking in villages around the country, we were greeted, openly and often, with smiles and the phrase, \u201cahlan wa sahlan<\/em>,\u201d meaning welcome<\/em>. Usama says Jordanians believe it is shameful not to treat guests to the country like you would treat a guest in your own home (let that concept sink in for a minute). During our travels, that belief lit up nearly every interaction.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO INTREPID’S NEWSLETTER FOR TRAVEL DEALS, GIVEAWAYS, TIPS & STORIES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIn Jordan, we are all neighbors and friends,\u201d says Usama. One of his favorite topics is the intersection of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Interfaith dialogue is a significant part of guide training in Jordan. He says guides should explain history from the perspective of the Old and New Testaments and the Koran. \u201cI\u2019m trying as much as I can to connect historical sights and stories and show the overlap where it exists,\u201d he explains. For our group, these discussions were endlessly enlightening.<\/p>\n Memorable group moments in Petra<\/p><\/div>\n He also says it\u2019s important to understand that Jordan has long been a haven for refugees. Refugees from Palestine, Iraq and Syria now figure significantly into the country\u2019s population.\u00a0 While the mix isn\u2019t without economic and social issues, the innate inclination to welcome strangers and neighbors while living in harmony is clear to all who visit.<\/p>\n While falafel and hummus can be found for breakfast, lunch and <\/em>dinner, there\u2019s much more to the culinary scene. Have you heard of the aptly-named fuul<\/em>? It\u2019s a soupy fave bean dish with loads of olive oil, chili and lemon juice and it alone is worth the flight.<\/p>\n READ MORE: 7 FOODS YOU SHOULD TRY IN JORDAN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n According to Usama, Jordan\u2019s cuisine is unique for mingling Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors and traditions. There\u2019s mansaf<\/em>, a rice and lamb feast, topped with a sour goat yogurt, which is considered the national dish of Jordan. And, ooh, moutabel<\/em>, a craving-worthy roasted eggplant dip; t<\/em>abbouleh<\/em> salads heavy in parsley and garlic, manakish<\/em>, commonly called Arabic pizza, this list could go on and on.<\/p>\n It’s not just about the food, it’s about the local hospitality too<\/p><\/div>\n For one of the most unusual and delicious combinations, Usama suggests Amman\u2019s famous pastry shop, Habibah Sweets<\/em>, for kanafeh<\/em>. Soft and crunchy, sweet and salty. Pistachios sprinkled over cheese, baked in dough, then covered in sticky syrup, this pastry is one sweet surprise.<\/p>\n Weird fact: Jordan is slightly smaller than the state of Indiana. Which makes it all the more amazing that this small country in the center of the Middle East contains such diverse terrain.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought Jordan was all desert, they tell me\u201d Usama says. \u201cI hear this from visitors all the time. They are astounded once they travel around the country.\u201d He proudly calls the Trek Jordan<\/a><\/strong> itinerary his baby. \u201cI helped design the route based on my experience trekking these places and to show off the diversity,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n READ MORE: WHY TO CONSIDER A TREKKING TRIP IN JORDAN (AND WHAT IT’S LIKE)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Trekking to the Dead Sea<\/p><\/div>\n Naturally, a visit to Petra, one of the 7 New Wonders of the World<\/em>, is a centerpiece of the itinerary, but Trek Jordan takes a distinctive path. The route includes hiking 20 kilometers along the back trail from lesser-known Little Petra to the UNESCO site\u2019s famous Monastery. Along this trail, we saw more goats than fellow trekkers.<\/p>\n Likewise, descending from the lunar-like cliffs above the Dead Sea to palm-fringed beaches and through the vast ochre sands of Wadi Rum \u2013 both routes crafted by Usama and exclusive to Intrepid Travel \u2013 introduced us to off-the-beaten-path and wildly-different places.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, you must see Jordan for yourself,\u201d says Usama. \u201cIt surprises almost every visitor who comes.\u201d<\/p>\n Ready to experience the wonders of Jordan with a local leader? Check out Intrepid’s small group trips in Jordan.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n —<\/p>\n![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/IMG_0529-e1555279258603.jpg\")
<\/a>Jordanian hospitality is woven into the culture<\/h3>\n
![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/local-delicacy-knafeh-e1555279760233.jpg\")
<\/a>Jordan is a symbol of peaceful coexistence<\/h3>\n
![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/our-lovely-intrepid-group.jpg\")
<\/a>Jordanian cuisine is full of tasty surprises<\/h3>\n
![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Dinner-at-local-home-night-two-of-petra.jpg\")
<\/a>Jordan boosts a richly diverse landscape<\/h3>\n
![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/almost-there-trek-to-dead-sea.jpg\")
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