SADJ 7#3

SHOW COVERAGE
SHOW INFO: Sofex 2014
DSA’s Designated Marksman Rifle entry. The
“DMR” is dressed with an ACOG 4-32, and the B&T
bipod and foregrip.
Location:
King Abdullah I Airbase in Amman in the
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. GPS Coordinates:
+31° 58' 19.64", +36° 0' 15.62"
Show website:
www.sofexjordan.com
Promoter contact info:
iinfo@sofexjordan.com
Telephone: +962 6 562 7301 or +962 6
5605089 or +962 6 5650198
Fax: +962 6 569 1137
P.O. Box 6384, Amman
11118 Jordan
Date & Location of next show:
10-12 May, 2016 in Amman Jordan
Focus of show:
Special Operations weapons, equipment,
and training.
Dress:
Business casual when away from the
booths, but business or military dress
should be adhered to for best appearances.
Temperature will be warm in Amman;
the show buildings are air conditioned but
open to outside.
Hotel hints:
There are many modern hotels in Amman.
Westerners should look for “Western” facilities,
en suite, and should not have trouble
finding this. Check in with the tourism
site for more information. There is a very
nice Intercontinental with reasonable
rates, as well as most other quality chains.
Power & Plug types:
220volt 50cycle. UK three prong style,
but European outlets are generally
available in hotels.
Country warnings:
As in most Muslim countries, there are
travel restrictions on Israel and Palestine,
which border with Jordan. It is not recommended
to cross borders without paying
attention to what is on your passport.
Visas are required, and may be obtained
at the airport. If you plan on leaving Jordan
for a day or two, you should arrange
a multiple entry visa. Syria is to the north,
visas are needed, Saudi Arabia (visa) and
Iraq (visa) are also bordering countries.
Do NOT travel to Syria if you have Israel
on your passport; you will not be allowed
to enter.
Cultural hints:
Jordan is a country that traditionally has
had a respectful way of looking at others.
There are large Christian communities as
well as Jewish ones that commingle with
the Islamic community. One primary concern
for Westerners is women’s clothing.
Jordanian women generally cover their
arms, legs and hair. Western women are
not subject to these customs, but very revealing
clothing is never appropriate, and
conservative dress is advisable for both
men and women in the old part of Amman
(downtown), and outside the cities. Shorts
are rarely worn by either sex, and would
be out of place in downtown Amman area.
Religious sites will require a shawl for all
women who wish to enter, the same as in
any European religious site.
Show food:
There is a large tent on the back side of the
parade grounds, opposite building 6, that
has a number of excellent options with
Döner, sandwiches, a full buffet, and many
salads available.
Tipping:
Not required for taxis other than a “roundup”
to the next Dinar and baggage tip.
10% should suffice in restaurants, which
have usually included it, but a good
rule is one JD at breakfast, two JD at
lunch and dinner. Tip one JD per bag at
airport and hotel.
Currency type:
Jordanian Dinar are generally worth
about 1.40 USD, 1.04 GBP, and 1.10
Euro each. Check www.xe.com/ucc/ for
currency rates.
Getting around:
Driving is done in the U.S./Euro style on
the right-hand side of the road. There are
plenty of petrol stations, but if you travel
south to Petra or further, be sure to have
a full tank and plenty of water. There are
new, modern service areas on that route
now. Taxis are abundant in Amman; most
hotels have reasonably priced limo services.
Tour guides with limos are available
for day trips in almost any language. Be
sure to arrange for your transport from the
show at the end of each day, there are now
buses to the hotels so be sure to coordinate
ahead of time, but no official taxi line.
Military Museums to see:
There are many sites in Jordan, but there
is one exceptional museum that you must
get permission to enter, the new Altala al
Shaeed Museum in Amman. It is worth the
effort to look up.
Tourism:
Visit the website www.visitjordan.com for
an excellent look at the many tourism opportunities,
from the ancient city of Petra,
to the Roman ruins of Jarash, as well as all
of the historical sites that are seminal to
the basic formations of Islam, Christianity,
and Judaism. Jordan is a tourist friendly
country. Also, be certain to visit the Royal
Automobile Museum in Amman www.royalautomuseum.jo.
It is a superb collection.
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