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Using your Cell Phone Overseas

May 31, 2011 By 2 Comments

using cell phone overseasTake a look at your current phone and try to find out if it is one that uses GSM (Global System Mobile) technology. T-Mobile and some AT&T phones are equipped with this technology, among others. If you are buying a new phone make sure that GSM technology is integrated.

Most cell phone service providers electronically ‘lock’ the phone so that it can only be used with their service. There are obvious reasons why they choose to do this – in particular, to force you to pay what are usually very high roaming charges when you take your phone out of their network and use it elsewhere in the world.

Fortunately, this locking is reversible. With some phones, it is possible to simply enter an unlocking password code into the phone and it is immediately then unlocked. Other phones need to be connected up to a special unlocking data terminal.

For $5, you can get the codes from thetravelinsider.info.
You will need a country-specific SIM card to buy pre-paid minutes for the country in which you are traveling. You can buy pre-paid minutes from telestial.com. The company will send you a SIM card that you use to replace the current SIM inside your phone.

If you have valuable data on your SIM card you can get a SIM Backup and Saver Unit, this will help you transfer all your date safely from one phone/ one SIM card to another.

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Filed Under: Alaska, Belgium, Europe, Germany, Hawaii, Italy, Jordan, Korea, OCONUS, OCONUS States and Countries, Travel, UK Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Milspouse in Amman or “Jordan 101″

March 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Petra Travel Destination in JordanAfter reading Lisa Allyn’s previous posts about moving to Jordan and some aspects of her life there – you probably know more now than before about this country. Read this last segment to finish up “Jordan 101″:

The CLO (community liason officer) will provide many activities throughout the year such as trips to castles, local shopping neighborhoods, wineries, restaurants. And speaking of restaurants, try the local food.  We LOVE it.  They have fabulous schwarmas, hummus, falafel, and this garlic mayonnaise that will truly keep the vampires away.  It is to die for.

Lisa meets ‘Paparazzi’

There are so many things that I like about being here, but the main one is the people.  They are so friendly and truly love children. When you go into a store or restaurant, they flock on over to your kids.  An employee or three will entertain your kids while another one will help you shop.  Strangers will pick up your children to talk to and give them kisses.  It freaked me out at first, but they really don’t mean any harm.  It is natural for them.  If I show up someplace childless one day, they will ask where my little one is.  Sometimes it can get overwhelming though.  One day we met the paparazzi.  I took my youngest to the children’s museum once an all girl’s school was there on a field trip.  The girls kept coming over to my little guy (2 at the time) saying how cute he was.  They wanted to hold him and take his picture.  Normally he is good natured about this and doesn’t mind, but that day he was not in the mood.  I was impressed that the girls asked me first, but when I said no they ignored me.  My guy was so miserable that day we had to leave early.  He just wasn’t having any fun.  Now I know how celebrities must feel.

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Speaking the language

Another thing, the main language in Jordan is Arabic, but English is widely spoken in Amman.  That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn any Arabic, but in your daily life, not knowing their language won’t be a problem.  Just remember, if you are dealing with someone that doesn’t know English, you are in their country.  Be kind and patient, because it isn’t their problem.  It’s yours.

Locally, there are so many great places to visit such as… The Dead Sea, Petra , Jerash, Aqaba, Um Qais, Madaba, Ajloun, Wadi Rum and more. Check out this website for lots of great information.  You are also conveniently located near Africa and Europe.  Dream vacations are easier than ever.

I sure hope that this helps your upcoming PCS to Jordan.  Feel free to ask me anything that I may have left out, simply leave you questions and comments at the bottom.

Read part three tomorrow about Lisa’s life in Jordan!

If this post or all the other posts of ladies in places all over the world has inspired you to share your experiences via this blog then shoot me an email . I would love to host your post! No destination is too mundane or too exotic. I would love to hear from all of you! If you’d rather just add your information without a ‘big bang’ ;-) then go to militarydutystations.com and leave all you know there for other ladies to read up on. Some things change lots of it doesn’t. Read it there, write yours!




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Filed Under: Guest Bloggers on MDS, Guest Blogging, Jordan, OCONUS States and Countries Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Shopping, Driving and Attire in Amman, Jordan

March 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Military spouse living in Amman

Military spouse living in Amman

Yesterday, I started to publish the guest blog post by Lisa Allyn, who currently is stationed in Amman, Jordan. After talking about shipping she commences today to tell her tales of shopping, driving and attire.

How is shopping?

Jordan may be a third world country, but Amman is not.  You can get just about anything here, but you will pay the price.  Some things, you may want to stock up on before you arrive.  I took advantage of hand me downs, yard sales, thrift stores and sales for my kids clothes for the next two years.  There are some outlets here with reasonable prices, but as in the states, they are hit or miss.  I bought new workout clothes and sneakers as athletic shoes are quite pricey.  If you have kids, find out the school supplies they will need.  They are insanely pricey.  (Just a little example:  I had to get Crayola crayons for my son and a box of 8 costs about $6.  We needed a 25 pack, which I didn’t even see.)  Anyway, I sent a supply list for the two years we were going to be here to a friend and she bought everything during the back to school sales and shipped it to us.  It saved lots of money.  If your kid goes to ACS, the supply lists are online.

There are several large grocery stores in Amman.  Don’t count on them having what you want, when you want it.  The rule of thumb is, if you see something you like, buy it then.  And buy a lot of it.  You may not see if for another few months.  If you like pork, there is a local pork store. Bacon is not the same as home.  This makes us very sad. The embassy has a little grocery store as well.  Keep in mind that it is not a commissary. The prices are very expensive, but when you want a taste of home, you’ll go.  It is the only place to get a nice Hebrew National hotdog.

One thing that I love about the neighborhoods here is that each has their own pharmacies, small grocery stores, and produce stands.  It is great when you just need a few things.  They are easy to stop into on the way home or just to walk to on a nice day – and there are a slew off those.

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Driving in Amman

Prior to coming here, I was very excited about having domestic help. How awesome is it to be able to afford someone to clean your home and watch your kids?  Once I got here, my plans changed.  I saw the driving!  I thought, ok, I’ve always cleaned my own home and my kids have been my side kicks and life has been good.  I don’t need that help.  What I need is a personal driver.  I’ve never seen so few left hand turns, so many circles, people making left hand turns from the right lane and right turns from the left, people driving backward, people not using turn signals, and so much aggression.  Of course, by the time my car showed up, I was so tired of taxis.  The drivers don’t know how to get anywhere (street signs and numbers just went up a few years ago), they don’t understand the concept of a car seat for kids, they have no seat belts, they chain smoke, and most don’t take pride in the cleanliness of their cars.  I was ready to drive.  I remember the first time I went into a traffic circle.  It was about 2 lanes and 4 cars wide.  I got in fairly easily, but not out.  I passed my exit once and decided that I needed to be more aggressive.  It was time to get in touch with my inner b.  I exited that circle the second time and haven’t had a problem since.

What do I wear?

If you are a lady you want to keep in mind that they dress more conservatively than we do.  Don’t plan on wearing shorts or anything above the knee outside of your home or the embassy.  Sleeveless shirts are also out.  I will wear short sleeves to the local malls, but when I go downtown, to the outlets, or the outdoor shopping areas, it is always pants and a long sleeve top.  You do not need to cover your head.  Young children, both boys and girls, can wear what they like.

Read part three tomorrow about Lisa’s life in Jordan!

If this post or all the other posts of ladies in places all over the world has inspired you to share your experiences via this blog then shoot me an email . I would love to host your post! No destination is too mundane or too exotic. I would love to hear from all of you! If you’d rather just add your information without a ‘big bang’ ;-) then go to militarydutystations.com and leave all you know there for other ladies to read up on. Some things change lots of it doesn’t. Read it there, write yours!


Filed Under: Guest Blogging, Jordan, OCONUS States and Countries Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

If you were to get stationed in Jordan…

March 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Jordan, Amman- thank you www.destination360.com

Jordan, Amman- courtesy www.destination360.com

….then you would want to read this!

No joke! I was totally blown away when through Facebook I (finally) figured out that one of ‘my’ spouses, Lisa Allyn, is stationed in Jordan! I really wasn’t sure what picture to have in my head: protesting civilians on the streets? Guns and violence? LOTS of sand!? Personally, I had a thousand questions not just because of my website but because I was fascinated by a spouse living in this absolutely unfamiliar location. Lisa was kind and patient enough to answer all of them, though in the meantime I came up with more to ask, but that’s a new blog post.

Who is Lisa?

Lisa says about herself:

“Really, I’m a work in progress.  A mom of two fantabulous boys.  A wife.  A friend.  A volunteer.  A cook.  A baker.  A nutritionist.  A teacher.  An accountant.  An organizer.  A chauffeur.  A treasurer (for the American Women of Amman).  Fortunately, for the time being,I’m not a housekeeper!”

Maybe we can convince her to have a blog and tell us about her daily adventures or write a book, but for now I am very happy that she graciously shared her knowledge with us.

How did we get here?

Since you are reading this, you are either lucky enough to have orders for Amman, Jordan or are considering going there.  Well, consider nolonger – just say yes already!  Although our move came as quite a shock (The job we asked for did not say that duty was in Amman.  I don’t know, to me that was an important detail that should have been included. ), it has turned out to be my favorite duty station. Unfortunately, our request for an extension was denied and we are anxiously awaiting new orders.

Should it stay, or should it go?

Ok, so you need to pack and you are overwhelmed.  What should you take?  Well, for starters, know that you receive a beautiful apartment completely furnished.  This means that you don’t need any of your furniture (unless you have specialty pieces like a sewing table, easel…).   Pretty much anything that goes into your furniture, you’ll want to bring.

There will be a welcome kit waiting for you in your home (which is usually ready upon your arrival).  They vary a bit, but all of them will contain sheets, towels, dishes, glasses, silverware and some sort of cooking items.  There will also be a coffee maker and toaster.

Electricity here is 220v, so you may not want to bring some of your appliances.  I brought my more expensive ones like my stand mixer,vacuum, crock pot and ice cream maker, but chose to purchase a toaster, hair dryer and coffee pot in Jordan.  (They will take back your welcome kit once you receive your stuff).  They do give you a few inverters to plug your goodies into.

My biggest packing regret was not bringing our mattress.  The ones they give you are quite firm.  We ordered (woo hoo you will have both a DPO and pouch address) a memory foam topper for our mattress.  It saved my sanity and allowed me to walk upright everyday without drugs and a hot shower.

Unaccompanied Baggage

You’ll receive an unaccompanied baggage shipment. This is stuff that should go by air and arrive before you HHG.  Of course, ours got an all expense paid trip to Germany (don’t know why the Army couldn’t have sent us there as well) so it came about a month after our HHG.  In this shipment I chose to pack half of my pots and pans, all of my Discovery Toys , my husband’s pro goods, our sheets, towels, dishes, glasses, silverware, some books and videos, some pictures and knick knacks to make me feel more at home, a TV and I’m sure some other things that I can’t possibly remember.

Household Goods

Your next shipment will be household goods.  This is the rest of the stuff you will want while you are there.  Jordan is not on the consumables list, so if you have the extra weight, you may want to ship some groceries on over.  The third shipment is all the things that will go into non temporary storage.  Make sure you take pictures of everything before the move.

Your Sponsor

Before you go, the CLO (Community Liaison Office) should provide you with a social sponsor.  Pick their brain until they have none left. This is your contact person for everything Jordan.  They should be able to tell you all the ins and outs of living in the Middle East. Upon arrival, they should also introduce you to others, show you around, take you shopping and make your life easier.  Your spouse will also receive a work sponsor to help with all the official stuff.

Tomorrow more about Lisa’s life in Jordan!

If this post or all the other posts of ladies in places all over the world has inspired you to share your experiences via this blog then shoot me an email . I would love to host your post! No destination is too mundane or too exotic. I would love to hear from all of you! If you’d rather just add your information without a ‘big bang’ ;-) then go to militarydutystations.com and leave all you know there for other ladies to read up on. Some things change lots of it doesn’t. Read it there, write yours!


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Filed Under: Jordan, OCONUS States and Countries Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,