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-   -   Jerash Chariot Races??? (https://www.fodors.com/community/africa-and-the-middle-east/jerash-chariot-races-821723/)

connieyonan Jan 14th, 2010 11:50 AM

Jerash Chariot Races???
 
The Jerash Cheriot races sound like a riot!!! They are in the Hippodrome and look like a Ben Hur movie online. Has anyone been to it?? I know they're probably hokey but we are a fun loving family - 2 sons 27 and 29. and parents.
Love your input if you've been there

doctorjohn Jan 14th, 2010 01:02 PM

I haven't been but I have seen it on TV. It looks cheesey. That being said, if I were there, I would probably go on one. Your family can race eachother!

worldgypsy Mar 22nd, 2013 06:38 AM

Hi: does anyone know if this is up and running for Late March? I heard it only opens in the summer but I can't imagine they would miss the High Easter season?! I can't get anyone on the phone and we are headed there next week. Thanks for any info!!

colduphere Mar 22nd, 2013 07:29 AM

We were there last week and didn't see or hear one word about it.

worldgypsy Mar 23rd, 2013 11:04 PM

Oh No! That's not good news! I will try to contact them again. Thanks,

thursdaysd Mar 25th, 2013 06:20 AM

Why would a Muslim country care about Easter?

colduphere Mar 25th, 2013 06:48 AM

Great timing Thursdaysd. I just got a text from our (catholic) daughter in Turkey asking when Easter is this year. She said she hasn't heard one word about it.

P_M Mar 27th, 2013 04:27 PM

I saw the chariot races in Jerash and I didn't think it was worth the time or the money. The others in my group agreed. However it sounds like you are already sold on it so I don't want to discourage you, as I'm afraid you will leave Jerash feeling like you missed something. If it interests you then go for it.

I pulled up a holiday calendar and much to my surprise Easter is mentioned.

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/jordan/

P_M Mar 27th, 2013 04:38 PM

In taking a second look at this holiday calendar it indicates Easter is observed but not a national holiday. I doubt there will be any closures.

worldgypsy Mar 28th, 2013 08:39 AM

Hi: I contacted the 'visit Jordan' office in Amman and they said it won't start until May 1. There are lots of Jordanians who celebrate Orthodox easter which falls a bit later. I am enroute to Egypt thru Jordan and Easter is VERY big there and all my rates [hotels/package/nile cruise] have gone up because of it.???? It is HIGH season there and last I checked, it is also a Muslim country. SO I just assumed Jordan would also observe the high season, if only for the influx of tourists this time of year. But in any event, it is indeed closed until May 1. We will check it out at another time for the kids' sake as we live in Jerusalem and it is not far for us. THANKS to all who replied.

thursdaysd Mar 28th, 2013 09:12 AM

Egypt has a significant population of Coptic Christians. I am not aware of a similar population in Jordan.

thursdaysd Mar 28th, 2013 09:14 AM

Although, now I think about it, I did see both a Coptic church and a Greek Orthodox church in Amman. The Coptic was more popular.

worldgypsy Mar 28th, 2013 10:14 AM

Yes, thanks. We will visit a Coptic Church on Easter sunday in Cairo. Orthodox easter is may 5th, i think this year. Last year in Jordan the resorts were packed for Ortho EAster which fell closer to Christian easter. Meanwhile we are in the middle of Passover here in Jerusalem and Easter simultaneously!


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