T&L runs a piece about Jordan…no, not Michael, but that zig-zaggy little country in the Mid East. The land of the bedouin, the land of Petra. The author spends time with the locals, soaking up the rich Arabian ambiance, and finds Amman a lively capital whose culture poses a challenge to Beirut as the symbol of modern Arab life. Jordan has long been on my list of places to go, and not only because of Petra, but because with an English-speaking, very literate population, it is welcoming to foreigners…even if there are nasty political issues right now with the US that might make some Jordanians feel less welcoming of Americans. That said, the Jordanians are said to be remarkably gracious and hospitable. I suppose it’s well worth finding out for oneself.