Leaving work on Wednesday was surreal. Knowing that I wasn't going back there but I was going on a one year holiday and not going to a new job. Not going to lie, it made me feel a bit sick. But a netball win later with the girls (I definitely think a pre game drink is the way forward), followed by a lie in yesterday and some last minute shopping, I got comfortable with it pretty quickly. 

I made the ridiculous decision to sync my phone this morning. Terrible decision. The whole process froze my phone and I had to restore it to factory settings and I now have no apps or music on my phone. ( don't worry though Al, the camera and battery are working fine). As soon as I get some decent wifi in my life I’ll restore the backup. 

Mum, Kim and Jade came to see me off. I cried.

Nana text me. I cried. 

Flight was ok. No complaints about Royal Jordanian. Although, powdered creamer gets a no vote from me. 

I watched Judge. Cried

I watched Before I Go To Sleep. Cried. Again. Hello emotional. 

My taxi driver, Baher, was waiting at arrivals for me. As we drove from the airport to the hotel I asked where abouts we were. He replied ‘Jordan’…I thought he had misunderstood. He hadn't. He was taking the piss. (We had just entered the road Baher called Government Road which is the road all of the embassy's line. Syria’s is practically opposite Saudi Arabia’s and they couldn't have been any more different.) He then asked if I could see the bottle of water by my feet, I answered ‘yes, do you want it?’… ‘No. I'm just asking about it’s whereabouts… Of course I want it’. Well, aren't we sassy. I knew we’d get on. The conversation moved to food and we ended up going for shawarma. Best. Taxi. Man. Ever. 

However, turns out Baher didn't know where the hotel actually was so we walked up and down the street for 15mins which he kept apologising profusely for and insisted that he knew Amman like the back of his hand. Evidently not Baher, evidently not. 

Anyway, we found the hotel (Art Hotel www.arthoteljordan.com) and it's lovely. They didn't have my reservation for this evening- not the best start but once I showed the guy on reception my confirmation from Intrepid he fixed me a room really quickly. 

It's so strange to think that over a year ago I've been planning this trip and now I'm here. Day one done xx