"Qas'r Amra" a Qasr `Amrah Travel Page by triplehelix

Qas'r Amra is known for its fabulous fresco's decorating its ceilings, stretching down onto the walls. Perhaps the most popular of the several forts, pieces of clay and pottery can be see strewn about the grounds outside.

Not much is known but it may have been built early in the 8th century by Umayyad caliph Walid I whose dominance of the region was rising at the time. Qas'r Amra is one of the most important examples of early Islamic art and architecture.

For some time, the fort was used as a "summer home" by the wealthy caliph and his entourage. After his influence fell into decline, so did the condition of the fort. Through years of decay and graffiti, a lot of the fresco's were destroyed. In recent years, the Jordanian government has put forth an effort to restore what was destroyed by time and human doing.

This is where it got bad... I just booked a shared ride through the Farah Hotel in Amman. While I wasn't staying there, they act as a popular backpacker meeting hub with lots of free tea. I met 2 girls from the UK who were studying Arabic in Damascus and a older French woman who seemed the world wandering hippie type. I booked a driver to take me to the Desert Castles and I thought they did as well. Before leaving, we confirmed with the hotel owner our plans and he told me "yes, desert castles". Everything was going well until the French woman started a commotion outside Qas'r Amra. When we asked her what was wrong, she said she was upset and it was because I was a man! I immediately got in her face and asked her what her problem was. She said the hotel owner sent us (the women) on this tour because I was the only male and he gave me preference. I told her I had no idea what was going on but she was convinced I had some plot to overthrow all women in the world! Good thing the British girls backed me up on it as they didn't realize they were going in the wrong direction. They had originally booked a driver to visit other parts of Jordan, stuff I had already done. We agreed to do a part of my tour and a part of theirs.

Long story short, we went back to the Farah late at night and had it out with the guy at the desk who tried to back out of giving our money back. Where did our French friend end up? Sitting quietly drinking their free tea while we eventually got our money back. The girls ditched the hotel and I wandered around the back alleys of Amman for a bit waiting for a taxi to come by.

It wasn't all bad though, I got a nice story out of a bad experience and made friends with the three of them (yes even the maladjusted French woman in the end lol). This picture is where we spent most of our time sorting our problem out. The nice man who's shop is here had a girlfriend in Austria where he once lived. We exchanged stories before finally getting our ride deal finalized.