connieyonan

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

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

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

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

worldgypsy

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

thursdaysd

Why would a Muslim country care about Easter?

colduphere

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

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

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

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

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

thursdaysd

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

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!