Last night (Nov. 13)
at around 10:30 pm my host sister Jude just came into my room and asked me if I
had received a call or a text from CIEE.
I looked at her for a second trying to figure out why she would ask that
as I know CIEE would only contact me if there was some kind of problem. She went on to explain that because of the
increase in the price of all gas and oil that there were protests starting in
certain parts of the city. This happens
all the time but never on a Tuesday. She
told me that the riots were getting pretty big and just wanted to make sure
that I was aware of them.
I
checked my email to find a message from CIEE explaining the situation a bit.
"As many of you may be aware, the Prime Minister went on Jordan TV tonight to make the price hikes on fuel derivatives official. As many of you may also be aware, there is a substantial demonstration going on right now in Dakhliyya. There are likewise demonstrations going on at this moment all over the Kingdom. "
Around
midnight there was a message on the CIEE facebook group telling us that "due
to ongoing protests and calls for a general strike, CIEE will be closed
tomorrow. Stay in your homes. We will keep you posted as things develop."
People
also posted on Facebook that lots of people were tweeting in English and Arabic
about the protests and some were also including pictures. Others posted that there were websites where
we could stream live video of the protests.
I stayed up until around 3:30 following the events unfold.
Around 10:40am Nov. 14 we received an email telling
us what we are permitted to do and what we are not permitted to do regarding
travel during our long weekend coming up:
The developing situation in the country warrants the following action. These measures are taken for your safety and are non-negotiable:
1.) If you are traveling for the long weekend by air, there is currently no need to alter your plans. Air traffic is moving normally, and private transportation (by taxi) to the airport remains safe and accessible. As always, we advise you to arrange with Taxi Mumayaz, the number for which is in your handbook. BE ADVISED: you should have a contingency plan in the event that borders close and you are unable to re-enter the country.
2.) Travel by land to Palestine and Israel is now off-limits. The areas near the border crossings were the scenes of very heavy demonstrations and road closures last night. Both public and private transport to and from the border crossings is too unpredictable right now. Likewise, the border itself, which is always unpredictable, is more so now. The risk may be too great that if you try to travel, the border may close and you would be stranded. Again, travel by land to Palestine and Israel is now off-limits. Sorry.
3.) Travel within Jordan is also now off-limits. The worst of the demonstrations are going on outside the capital and the transportation situation is unpredictable. Do NOT travel outside of Amman.
Around 1:00pm an email
was sent to all of our parents and home institutions updating them on the
situation in Jordan right now. They were
told that we have all been contacted and are all accounted for. They also informed those back home about our
lack of classes today and our cancelled travel plans.
The next round of
protests are scheduled to start in about 40 minutes and this time will be led
by the Muslim Brotherhood. So it will be
interesting to see how tonight's events unfold.
Below are some links
for more information regarding the situation right now.
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