Aqaba: Sunstroke, Sand, and Seriously Strong Coffee
okay, so aqaba. it’s…a lot. i’m a freelance photographer, and honestly, i usually chase the mood, you know? the light, the grit, the stories etched on faces. aqaba throws all that at you at once, and then asks if you want fries with that.
i landed with a code - 250303 - scribbled on a napkin (don’t ask, long story involving a lost bet and a very insistent taxi driver in amman). the air hit me like a warm, slightly dusty hug. the weather? i just checked and it’s…basically a furnace with a breeze right now, hope you’re into that. 14.14 degrees celsius, feels like 12.37, pressure’s normal, humidity’s low, sea level’s…well, it’s aqaba, it’s by the sea. the ground level is 884, which honestly doesn’t tell me much except someone measured it.
i’ve been wandering around, mostly trying to avoid eye contact with the guys trying to sell me camel rides. seriously, everywhere camel rides. it’s a bit much. i did find this amazing little coffee shop though, tucked away near the *port. the coffee is…intense. like, will-keep-you-awake-for-three-days intense. i think they grind the beans with rocks.
someone told me that the seafood restaurants down by the beach are overpriced tourist traps. apparently, you’re better off going a few blocks inland and finding a place where the menu is only in arabic. that’s usually a good sign, right? i also overheard a group of divers complaining about the visibility at the japanese garden dive site - something about a recent sandstorm stirring everything up. you can find more info on diving here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g293986-Activities-Aqaba.html.
i spent an afternoon just getting lost in the souk. it’s a chaotic, beautiful mess of spices, fabrics, and questionable electronics. i managed to haggle for a really cool vintage scarf (score!), but i think i also accidentally bought a bag of something that’s definitely not cinnamon. i’ll let you know if i survive.
the neighbors? well, if you get bored, petra is just a couple of hours away, which is…kind of a big deal. i haven’t made it there yet, but it’s on the list. i’ve mostly been hanging out with the stray cats. there are a lot* of stray cats. they seem to run the place, honestly. i’m pretty sure they’re plotting something.
i heard from a local that the best falafel is at a place called “Hashem” - apparently, it’s been around for generations. i’m going to check it out tomorrow. i’m also trying to find a decent place to get my camera cleaned. it’s covered in sand, and i’m pretty sure a camel sneezed on it.
i’ve been checking out local events on this board: https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=399119. it's a bit of a mixed bag, but you can find some hidden gems.
honestly, aqaba is exhausting. but it’s also…captivating. it’s a place that gets under your skin. it’s not pretty, it’s not polished, but it’s real. and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need. i’m thinking of extending my stay. or maybe just hiding in that coffee shop until i regain the will to live. you can find more reviews on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Restaurants&find_loc=Aqaba%2C+Jordan. and if you're looking for tours, check this out: https://www.getyourguide.com/aqaba-l238/.
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