Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 3:55 am Post subject: JORDAN SHOPPING : Go shopping in Jordan Guide
JORDAN SHOPPING : Go shopping in Jordan Guide
Amman has shopping facilities ranging from ::I to boutiques. You may find such diversity as haute couture from Paris, leather goods from Turkey, casual clothes from Italy and traditional dress from the Bedouin tribes' people. Craft shops specialize in many handmade items, varying from old jewelry and hand-stitched fabrics to sand-painting and hand-blown glassware.
Some of the better shops sell kaftans, many of which are splendid garments, sewn with gold or silver thread and beautifully hand-embroidered. Some machine-work is done on these garments, but most are completely hand-sewn and are made in local villages.
Amman is also famous for its downtown gold souk (market) in the centre of the city and bordering on King Faisal Street. Few of the narrow walkways in the souk have names and many of the shops are not numbered. All are within easy walking distance of each other, however, and the area is easy to locate. Here the price of gold is at a fixed rate per gram, based on the current world market. The cost of workmanship on a particular piece is added to give the retail price.
Bargaining is a dying custom in Amman, and in the Kingdom generally, as most shops have fixed prices. Keepers of souvenir shops and in the downtown souk, however, still welcome the opportunity to haggle over prices.
Traditional Jordanian and Palestinian crafts are sold in many shops throughout Amman. The following offer some of the best quality and selections in the country.
Jordan River Designs, near First Circle, Abu Bakr al Siddiq (Rainbow) Street (tel. 06/461-3081), sponsored by Save the Children, sells a wide range of Palestinian and Jordanian embroidery, including pillowcases, quilts, wallets, and purses. Quality is very high, and proceeds go to the women who produce these beautiful items. Most of the hand-woven rugs are contemporary interpretations of traditional designs done in soft, attractive colors. Look for traditional kilim rugs, pillowcases, and wall hangings of the formerly nomadic Bani Hamida tribes, who have been settled in villages near the Dead Sea; the rich desert colors and textures produced by the special Bani Hamida dyes and wool are extraordinary.
Al Bawadi House is located between Mecca Street and Ash Shahid Wafsi al Tal Street. Sponsored by the Queen Alia Social Welfare Fund, this shop displays a careful selection of traditional crafts, including weavings, kilim rugs, and ceramics.
Al Aydi, located near the Intercontinental Hotel (tel. 06/464-4555), carries a selection of fine quality Palestinian embroideries, antique silver, jewelry, Bedouin woven carpets, and inlaid mother of pearl and olive-wood items.
Artisana Jordan Arts and Crafts Center is near Second Circle (tel. 06/464-7858). Filled with an especially attractive collection of traditional and contemporary crafts, this is always a worthwhile stop. Signs at the Second Circle direct you to the shop; closed Fridays.
Shops in Amman, Jordan
Safeway Jordan
Established in 1991 as a pioneer in retailing services, Safeway is the largest and oldest superstore in Jordan; offers high quality products and services to clients of diverse needs. The Safeway professional team works as one unit with the aim of producing customer satisfaction. Safeway is divided into many departments so as to fulfill your different needs and wants at one place and one time. Why go to different stores when you have a place like Safeway? Our sections include a bakery, a deli counter, fresh produce area, grocery aisles, a household department, hardware department, an area for kids, in addition to investors shop's " clothing, toys, shoes,..." and many others waiting for the pleasure of serving you
Arab art gallery featuring a collection of original oil paintings which reflect a traditional arabic life style and islamic art work Top Art: Jordan, Amman, Assweifiah, behind Leewan hotel, Tel: ++ 962(6)5857759. Art World: Jordan, Amman, Gardens street, Tel: ++ 962 6 5674240 Fax: ++ 962 6 5863260. Almaraya: Marj Alhamaam, Alia housing, Tel: ++ 962 6 5734343. Masterpiece: Seventh circle, Tel: ++ 962 795739737. P.O Box: 8574 Amman 11121 Jordan
Serving the electrical distribution needs of the Middle East since 1972. Founded in 1962 by the Farraj Family, headquartered in Amman Jordan. Since 1975, the Farah Trading & Contracting Company has been the exclusive licensee of Westinghouse Electric and now its successor company Cutler-Hammer for electrical distribution products in the Middle East, continually investing in warehousing, manufacturing, modification and test facilities
Markets
A typical Middle Eastern market is the downtown “suq,” where you can buy almost anything. Shopping areas in Amman are less crowded now, with new neighborhoods developing and establishing their own shopping areas.
The following areas should cover almost all your shopping needs: downtown, Emir Mohammed Street (from Third Circle to the City Centre), Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq Street (known as Rainbow Street), Wasfi Tell Street, better known as Gardens Street (from Safeway to AI-Waha Circle) and the shopping areas of upmarket Suwayfiyya and Shmaysani Bargaining is gradually losing ground in Jordan as more and more shops have fixed prices. You should, however, certainly attempt it in souvenir shops and in the suq downtown.
Ceramics: For mugs, plates, bowls, cups and tiles, try Boys' Town and AI-Shami Bazar in Amman. Pottery Workshops, has some of the most artistic (and pricey) ceramics. Other artisans are to be found in Madaba.
Pottery: The common pattern of pale-colored pottery with Arabic script designs is produced mainly in Amman. Silsal Pottery as well as at AI-Aydi, the Noor AI-Hussein Foundation Its products are on sale at the workshops, and at the airport duty-free shop.
Visit Bani Hamida House near First Circle, Jebel Amman. They sell a variety of rugs ranging from the famous Bedouin-made rugs to modern design. Open 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., closed Friday. AI-Aydi also has a large stock of Bedouin rugs in authentic patterns and colors and there are a number of shops in Madaba where many are actually produced.
Hebron hand-made glass: Look out for carafes, bowls, jars, vases and mugs made in Jordan by a family originally from Hebron who now live and work in Amman, from the traditional dark-blue glass, there is also clear glass, light brown, green and yellow. It is sold at AEAydi, where you will find a variety of colors, but many souvenir shops also stock it. For the best prices, go to the workshop in Na'ur where you can see the glass-blowers at work.
Basketry: Produced in Mukhayba, north of the Jordan Valley. Available at AI-Aydi, where you will find some of the finest new and old pieces, and at the museum shop in Umm Qais.
Gold: Cheaper here than in the West and there is a huge variety available in the suq downtown. Know has branches in Shmaysani, Gardens Street, on the main street in Jebel Al-Hussein, on the main road between Fifth and Sixth circles as well as downtown. Zalatimo is another famous brand.
Their shop is in the Amra Hotel shopping arcade and they also sell at the airport.
Wood inlaid with mother of pearl: In most souvenir shops, you will find boxes with Dome of the Rock designs, mirror and picture frames and sometimes chairs and chests of drawers.
Olivewood: From kitchen utensils to Christmas Nativity scenes, eggs and other miscellaneous kitsch. On sale all over the country as well as in the West Bank where it is produced.
Copperware: Stocked at most souvenir shops.
Antiques
Try AI-Afghanf (tel: 625992, 635758, 676670). Branches in Jebel AI-Luwaybida, opposite Khalaf Supermarket, AI-Hawuz Circle, and Jebei AIHussein. Only some items are antique. Art: See Art Galleries.
Export Procedures
There are no export restrictions except for antiquities, i.e. items more than 100 years old. Shopkeepers can post your purchases to the US and Europe.
Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 10:46 am Post subject: [spam word detected] for Shopping !!!
This is something you might be interested in.
We have an urgent requirement for freelancers for our assignments in your city, where you can [spam word detected] for shopping!!
This is a part time Job requirement and can be done in your free time.
Your task will be to visit shops in your city and to evaluate the shop on various aspects. After visiting the shop you will have to fill out an internet-based online English questionnaire. The shoppers MUST be able to read and report (write) in English and have access to internet.
Do let any of your friends who are interested in earning something extra while still studying/ working. _________________ Neha Gupta
Recruiter
Bare Associates International
Register
Log in
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
