If you were born in Amman between the late 80s and early 90s, then you experienced the city at a watershed moment.
It means you are old enough to remember old-school Amman before the advent of the mobile phone, Internet and...traffic jams. It also means you are young enough to experience new Amman in all its glory.
Here's a trip down memory lane to put that in perspective
1. The first McDonalds and the Happy Meal toy
When McDonalds opened its first branch on Abdullah Ghosheh Street every Ammani was there to taste the country's first ever American franchise fast food chain. At one point, collecting happy meal toys was the best gift you've ever received.
2. Roller skating
Knee pads, disco balls and ABBA's Dancing Queen or shikshakshok. That summed up a perfectly spent day at an roller skating rink!
2. The opening of dowar Abdoun
Yes...we know Amman was built on 'dawaweer' but the opening of dowar Abdoun left a mark on us because it made the area what it is today. No dowar...no Abdoun!
3. Abu Dahab bowling
Abu Dahab on Rainbow street was one of the coolest places to practice your mad bowling skills!
4. Jubeiha theme park
Going to Jubeiha theme park was a once in a lifetime family trip. It was practically the reason you got good grades--you used them as a bargaining chip to convince your parents to go.
5. Chili House in Dahiyet al Hussein
Chili House opened way before McDonalds or any other franchise set foot in Amman. Chili House is largest and oldest local fast food chain in the country. It's been 31 years of serving the greatest invention of cheese coney's and amazing chilli cheese fries!!!
6. Da3san
You know you were being a good child when your parents would take you to Da3san. Arcade gaming was never the same after that.
7. Tom & Jerry
Before McDonalds and Chili House there was Tom & Jerry...the first burger joint in Amman.
8. Space Toon
The biggest revelation to kids everywhere was SpaceToon, dubbed cartoons from Japan to America. It had everything from Captain Majed, Conan, Dai el Shoja3 to Tom and Jerry!
9. You wore a wedding ring and it was sweet
We all need to have the talk with our first husbands!
