Toronto-Chicago-Amman-Cairo

Hi everyone,
Well, we made it!
Laura and I met in Chicago Sunday afternoon. Got to chill in the First Class lounge due to my bazillion miles with AA....so that was a good thing. Got on a packed flight to Amman at 9pm. Many people were trying to get to Europe via the Middle East but when we got to Amman saw that all flights to Europe were cancelled. Luckily we were not affected. Arrived in Amman at 5pm....got our JBCP (Jordan Breast Cancer Project) bags which were picked up by their driver..then off we went to the Royal Jordanian first class lounge (again due to my AA status) and we chilled there for an hour. Really nice. Free drinks, free food, TVs, etc etc....brand new. Arrived here at 9pm to 90 degree heat. Somehow met up with a guy named Mohammed....big surprise. He owns a tour guide company and "taxi". So off we go to the parking lot...as he was warning us not to go anywhere with strangers...uh, hello....and what are you?? He is telling us he is good friends with Dr. Phil (OK...now I feel really scared cuz I hate Dr. Phil...except for his famous line "so how's that working for you?"....anyway...he seems OK cuz he is wearing a suit....I read that in the idiots guide for "How to Tell You Can Trust a Man". So he lead us to a clunker and said "Hope you don't mind, my car is a bit old"....old? It didn't have fenders! Then he laughs and pops the trunk to his Mercedes which is right next to the clunker. OK, now I feel better but like an idiot ask him "Are you sure we can trust you?". He laughs. Not a good sign. Laura looks a bit panicked...but we get in anyway (Mom, are you having a heart attack yet?...just so you know, Laura made me do it!!) The traffic is terrible! Cars crossing lanes...almost smashing into each other...and I ask stupid question #2...."Are Egyptians good drivers?".....as he proceeds to drive down the middle of the lane divider...as everyone else is doing...and over the next 30 minutes almost runs over about 100 people. Well, we finally made it to the hotel which is an old palace. Amazing. Good thing I cashed in miles for this too as it is VERY expensive. Our room is beautiful, overlooking the Nile. Beautiful gardens/grounds/buildings. A harpist plays in the lobby. Rich looking people wandering about. Very elegant. We'll try to fit in somehow. We unpacked and decided to go to the outside bar for a glass of wine. It was packed at 11pm. Tons of men smoking shisha (hookas)...never saw that before. We sit and have our one glass of wine then choked on the last drop when the bill came. $18 each!! Time to quit drinking! Anyway...off to bed and a good night's sleep. More later!