Bridal Convoys …
Summer is one of the most hectic most crowded times of the year. People visiting from other countries to spend their vacations because they actually do have decent annual vacations there, foreigners flooding the country to change scenes under the name of tourism and family members arriving from all over the world to spend some time with their beloveds.
The scene in Amman’s streets becomes so stressful and congested that it gets to you even if you are not the “get angry easy” type of person, so I always do my best not to think about it and whenever I am stuck in a traffic jam, I increase the volume on the radio and sing along to distract myself or think about something else to pass the time.
This is all understandable with the huge number of cars using the streets these days, and it is also understandable when there is an accident and causes the traffic jam, but what I cannot comprehend or see as acceptable is that bridal convoys that close a street or three or four sides of the way as a way of expressing happiness and joy of the happy marriage. Forget about all the cars that are packed, jammed behind and trying to make way to get to their destinations, because the whole world has to participate in the bridal convoy whether they liked it or not.

What are these people thinking? What makes them think that this behavior is acceptable? They close all sides of the street and drive on 20 km/hr to allow the happy couple to savor the experience, but what about everyone else? Are they that selfish?
In old times, maybe it was nice to witness a bridal convoy every once in a while because there were specific days for weddings. People used to hold their weddings on Fridays, so the streets were not that packed and there were not as many people or as many cars for that matter. But these days, weddings take place any day of the week, any time of the day and they are just too many!!!
It is like a bridal festival out there, with all drivers dressed up, singing and honking and we as passers by, have to live with it.
Is it too much to ask these people to take only one side of the street when they are passing so that they do not disrupt the traffic? Why don’t the government enforce fines on these convoys when they are jamming the streets? I think the groom would think twice if he knew that he would be fined if his convoy closed a vital street in Amman and he would make sure that every one knew that and abided by the instructions, but aren’t we just so fond of breaking the law and just doing things our way to prove that we are not cowards!!!
I just hate these tasteless acts of expressing joy at the expense of others, just like fire works after midnight, but that is a totally different story!!















July 19th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Perhaps cause I am new to Amman (and muslim/arab countries in general)
I LOVE SEEING THEM!
But, also i have no car – maybe that has something to do with it..
July 21st, 2007 at 6:31 am
I support your stand, as that is one of the reasons I do not come to Amman in summer, so crowded, traffic congested, and much disregard to others through so many selfish acts.
I wish people grow up and be more civilized and considerate of others.
July 31st, 2007 at 8:31 pm
My thoughts i must admitt about this matter do match those of yours ..
now .. I’d like to add something to what you have already mentioned..
something I think is very important and must be seriously considered by those who do such irresponsible careless acts delibrately.
and that is..( the medical condition that some people might be suffering from while stuck in the traffic jam ,,people with critical conditions)
people could die under such circumstances..
the goverment must of-course play a major roll on this issue , to help figure out a fair solution to this problem as to others..
although..i think..that,,we are all in this till we actually so somthing about it
as for you *Angelita* you’ve done a GREAT job bringing this up..and let us all here talk it out,,
this is ”in my opinion” part of the solution..
yours:-
Snello from {Saudi Arabia}