Aqaba
Dead Sea
Mount Nebo
Jericho (sunrise)
Jerusalem
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Kingdom of Heaven Part II
As far as religious cities go, Jerusalem is by far the holiest one for Christians. I've never considered myself to be religious, despite having a certain amount of upbringing around the christian faith. I do however consider myself spiritual in way that is significantly different from any of the monotheistic religious. With that being said I had quite the profound experience when I entered the tomb of Jesus. Located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the tomb was covered in protective scaffolding. The line to enter was long, but moved quickly enough. We were guided by a large man who pointed in the direction of a small hole, where we were required to duck in order to enter. The room was dead silent and small, but in front of us lay the tomb as well as a quaint shrine devoted to Jesus. In all honesty I'm not one to pray. I never feel that it is fair to pray when I have done so little to show I deserve the completion of a request. Instead, I sat there silently and did my best to show respect, I'm hoping the respect was mutual.
After visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre I knew it would be impossible to top it, but going to the Dome of the Rock was a pretty incredible experience as well. Unfortunately I was unable to enter, because I am of course, not Muslim. The architecture and mass were still a spectacular sight none the less. There were numerous churches to visit even the place of the Last Supper, but one of my fondest memories was climbing the Mount of Olives, where the famous Jewish graveyard is located. From the top of the Mount you could see all of Jerusalem surrounded by the great Ottoman walls and even the glowing gold dome of the Mosque. The sun began to set and the call to prayer echoed throughout the hills.
The second most important city to the Christian faith has to be Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. The group made its way to the Church of the Nativity and was able to get a tour guide for about 2 dollars. His name was Sammy, and was extremely educated on the temple and spoke great English. He explained how difficult it has been to find work, due to the low number of tourists and was grateful for any amount of money we could give him. After visiting the birthplace of Jesus we wanted to see the walls surrounding the city. Many different graffiti pictures illustrated the struggle of those living within the fortifications. Foot traffic was dense and moved quickly, while salesmen lined the street trying to sell anything from socks to toy guns; silverware to fresh lemonade; fine Jewelry to simple scarves. It was pure chaos and to top it off a faint scent of rotten vegetables was inescapable.
That night we made our way to one of the more American bars in Jerusalem. We struck up conversation with one of the locals who was originally from America, but moved to Jerusalem. He was a proud citizen and bragged about Israel and the valor of the soldiers who have protected it, as well as the tree planting programs. There was a stark contrast between the Palestinian and the Israeli. I was able to visit the Holocaust Museum before I left for Tel Aviv and it was certainly powerful, but we arrived late in the day and our time there was cut short due to the scheduled closing.
After visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre I knew it would be impossible to top it, but going to the Dome of the Rock was a pretty incredible experience as well. Unfortunately I was unable to enter, because I am of course, not Muslim. The architecture and mass were still a spectacular sight none the less. There were numerous churches to visit even the place of the Last Supper, but one of my fondest memories was climbing the Mount of Olives, where the famous Jewish graveyard is located. From the top of the Mount you could see all of Jerusalem surrounded by the great Ottoman walls and even the glowing gold dome of the Mosque. The sun began to set and the call to prayer echoed throughout the hills.
The second most important city to the Christian faith has to be Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. The group made its way to the Church of the Nativity and was able to get a tour guide for about 2 dollars. His name was Sammy, and was extremely educated on the temple and spoke great English. He explained how difficult it has been to find work, due to the low number of tourists and was grateful for any amount of money we could give him. After visiting the birthplace of Jesus we wanted to see the walls surrounding the city. Many different graffiti pictures illustrated the struggle of those living within the fortifications. Foot traffic was dense and moved quickly, while salesmen lined the street trying to sell anything from socks to toy guns; silverware to fresh lemonade; fine Jewelry to simple scarves. It was pure chaos and to top it off a faint scent of rotten vegetables was inescapable.
That night we made our way to one of the more American bars in Jerusalem. We struck up conversation with one of the locals who was originally from America, but moved to Jerusalem. He was a proud citizen and bragged about Israel and the valor of the soldiers who have protected it, as well as the tree planting programs. There was a stark contrast between the Palestinian and the Israeli. I was able to visit the Holocaust Museum before I left for Tel Aviv and it was certainly powerful, but we arrived late in the day and our time there was cut short due to the scheduled closing.
Church of the Nativity
Wall
Mount of Olives
Dome of the Rock
Forrest view from Holocaust Museum
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Kingdom of Heaven Part 1
On September 8th, a group of students from the CET program and I made our way to Jerusalem around four o'clock. We left only two hours after our last class on a Thursday. Getting into Jerusalem is not an easy task and it turned into multiple step endeavor. First it took roughly an hour to travel from Amman to the King Hussein Bridge. The taxi driver could only get so close to the boarder crossing due to regulations, so we were forced to switch taxi drivers in a small town. This small town smelt of rotten vegetables and was infested with black flies. The second taxi cab's windshield looked as if someone threw a rock at. The glass was broken and looked like a cob web.
Once we arrived at the border crossing it wasn't clear where to go exactly, but we made our way into one of the buildings. Lines are practically none existent in the Arab world. It was madness trying to acquire a simple bus boarding ticket. We were required to hand our passports to a police officer and then wait for them to be delivered to us on the bus -giving up my passport for any period of time in a foreign country is stressful to say the least. It took about an hour on the bus to get to the arrival center of Israel, due to the many checkpoints. The arrival center was chaotic as well. People pushing and shoving to have their bags checked. Unfortunately my bag wasn't small enough to take with me through the metal detectors and I had to send it through the bag check.
As my bag was being checked, I went to get my Visa, which is the worst part of the whole journey. I waited in line until it was my turn and then walked up to the desk where a young women was sitting. She was far from welcoming and barely acknowledged that I was standing in front of her. She started interrogating me and told me if I lied I would be sent back to Jordan. After about five minutes of questions she let me through. Almost everyone in the group made it through except one person. We waited an additional two hours, while they were "clearing things up". We spent another hour exchanging money, and then about thirty minutes waiting for a form of transport. After an hour long bus ride through the west bank we finally made it to Jerusalem. The entire trip took seven hours.
I never once felt culture shock living in Jordan for several weeks. I did however experience it upon the arrival of Jerusalem when we were surrounded by Jewish men in their traditional garb, clean streets and large crowds of people drinking outside of bars. It was excited to be in such a different atmosphere, but it was a long day of traveling and all I wanted was to check into the hostel. We were welcomed with a free beer and wifi, so things looked like they were turning around.
Despite the late night, we went on a tour around 11 in the morning. A Palestinian offered to give us a tour of the old city, for 50 shekels, which was about 12 dollars a person. He brought us to all the most famous spots in the city, and even suggested eating a Kebab from the Muslim district. Our last stop, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, was were I was able to ask about his personal life. Apparently, he was born in Jerusalem while it was under Jordanian control, and owns a Jordanian passport. This means that he can only get the three month Visa that anyone can get by crossing the border. This visa doesn't allow you to get a job in the country. I realized that he was working as a tour guide unofficially. Either way, he was a kind and smart man who deserved every penny he received.
Walking around the Muslim district brought about an odd relief, almost like a feeling of security. The most common Language in Jerusalem is Hebrew. Everyone speaks Hebrew and the signs are in Hebrew. The Muslim district was all Arabic, and I had a much better chance at communicating and finding what I wanted there. Most places in Jerusalem were tourist traps and far more expensive than I liked, but the Arabs offered fair prices and so I had one of the city's famous Kebab sandwiches from the Muslim district. It was only 8 shekels.
Once we arrived at the border crossing it wasn't clear where to go exactly, but we made our way into one of the buildings. Lines are practically none existent in the Arab world. It was madness trying to acquire a simple bus boarding ticket. We were required to hand our passports to a police officer and then wait for them to be delivered to us on the bus -giving up my passport for any period of time in a foreign country is stressful to say the least. It took about an hour on the bus to get to the arrival center of Israel, due to the many checkpoints. The arrival center was chaotic as well. People pushing and shoving to have their bags checked. Unfortunately my bag wasn't small enough to take with me through the metal detectors and I had to send it through the bag check.
As my bag was being checked, I went to get my Visa, which is the worst part of the whole journey. I waited in line until it was my turn and then walked up to the desk where a young women was sitting. She was far from welcoming and barely acknowledged that I was standing in front of her. She started interrogating me and told me if I lied I would be sent back to Jordan. After about five minutes of questions she let me through. Almost everyone in the group made it through except one person. We waited an additional two hours, while they were "clearing things up". We spent another hour exchanging money, and then about thirty minutes waiting for a form of transport. After an hour long bus ride through the west bank we finally made it to Jerusalem. The entire trip took seven hours.
I never once felt culture shock living in Jordan for several weeks. I did however experience it upon the arrival of Jerusalem when we were surrounded by Jewish men in their traditional garb, clean streets and large crowds of people drinking outside of bars. It was excited to be in such a different atmosphere, but it was a long day of traveling and all I wanted was to check into the hostel. We were welcomed with a free beer and wifi, so things looked like they were turning around.
Despite the late night, we went on a tour around 11 in the morning. A Palestinian offered to give us a tour of the old city, for 50 shekels, which was about 12 dollars a person. He brought us to all the most famous spots in the city, and even suggested eating a Kebab from the Muslim district. Our last stop, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, was were I was able to ask about his personal life. Apparently, he was born in Jerusalem while it was under Jordanian control, and owns a Jordanian passport. This means that he can only get the three month Visa that anyone can get by crossing the border. This visa doesn't allow you to get a job in the country. I realized that he was working as a tour guide unofficially. Either way, he was a kind and smart man who deserved every penny he received.
Walking around the Muslim district brought about an odd relief, almost like a feeling of security. The most common Language in Jerusalem is Hebrew. Everyone speaks Hebrew and the signs are in Hebrew. The Muslim district was all Arabic, and I had a much better chance at communicating and finding what I wanted there. Most places in Jerusalem were tourist traps and far more expensive than I liked, but the Arabs offered fair prices and so I had one of the city's famous Kebab sandwiches from the Muslim district. It was only 8 shekels.
Jerusalem
The group and Tour Guide
Old City
Wailing Wall and Dome of the Rock
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
الشباب
Monday, September 5, 2016
Welcome to Jordan
Now that I've been here for a couple of weeks, classes are becoming more difficult and time consuming. Syllabus week is over, and now homework is a daily occurrence, three times a week I need to meet with a language partner, and I have become accustomed to a routine. Class can be extremely difficult due to the fact the class is taught in Arabic, meaning all directions are in Arabic. In addition to this, questions must be asked in Arabic, so if you don't know whats going on good luck communicating that to the teacher. Homework tends to be a lot of memorization that can get old, fast. Usually by the end of the day my mind is pretty fried, adding homework and language partners only adds to the frustration.
The weekends are the only relief, when you can finally get away from the CET building and make your way deeper into the city. On Friday I found myself at a hotel pool with loud music and a bar. The bar offered two free drinks and the whole party was sponsored by a cigarette company. It was strange to be in the middle of a desert in a city with a strong Islamic culture and enjoying alcohol in swim-shorts while standing in a refreshing pool. I understand culture immersion is an important, but the opportunity was hard to pass-up, especially when a break was so desperately needed. Following the afternoon in the pool we all went to Rainbow Street and enjoyed some chicken wings from a restaurant that definitively stole their business theme from Buffalo Wild Wings.
The programs first break is next week and its for an entire week. I have already made plans to travel to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Who knows what adventures await.
The weekends are the only relief, when you can finally get away from the CET building and make your way deeper into the city. On Friday I found myself at a hotel pool with loud music and a bar. The bar offered two free drinks and the whole party was sponsored by a cigarette company. It was strange to be in the middle of a desert in a city with a strong Islamic culture and enjoying alcohol in swim-shorts while standing in a refreshing pool. I understand culture immersion is an important, but the opportunity was hard to pass-up, especially when a break was so desperately needed. Following the afternoon in the pool we all went to Rainbow Street and enjoyed some chicken wings from a restaurant that definitively stole their business theme from Buffalo Wild Wings.
The programs first break is next week and its for an entire week. I have already made plans to travel to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Who knows what adventures await.
Fountains Seem to be Popular Here
Plane from Six-Day War
Amman
Pool Party
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Arabic Music I Enjoy
El Morabba3 & El Far3i - Taht il Ard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I2Prf3RQ6E&list=PLotFYHdDPdajunGpXEt7rTcjQx7Az0Kmv&index=2
JadaL -Kanz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b6TcXfLKlc&index=1&list=PLotFYHdDPdajunGpXEt7rTcjQx7Az0Kmv
Mashrou' Leila - 3 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5Tag1BwhqY&index=3&list=PLotFYHdDPdajunGpXEt7rTcjQx7Az0Kmv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I2Prf3RQ6E&list=PLotFYHdDPdajunGpXEt7rTcjQx7Az0Kmv&index=2
JadaL -Kanz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b6TcXfLKlc&index=1&list=PLotFYHdDPdajunGpXEt7rTcjQx7Az0Kmv
Mashrou' Leila - 3 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5Tag1BwhqY&index=3&list=PLotFYHdDPdajunGpXEt7rTcjQx7Az0Kmv
When Things go Wrong at the American Embassy.
I have just finished my first week of classes. To start it off, it was required of me to take a language pledge, which pretty much means I am only allowed to speak in Arabic. With such a limited vocabulary its difficult to have casual conversation, but when there is something I need, I can usually manipulate the words I know to get my point across. On our last day of class for the week, the class enjoyed making an Arabic dish. The name of the dish is called "Kofta Tehini". It includes ground lamb meet, potatoes, onions, parsley and Tehini sauce. It was definitely better than the meals I have been making.
To finish out the week some of my friends and I attempted to enter a party at the United States Embassy. Apparently, one of the students knew someone who was stationed there. After going through a rigorous security check that involved metal detectors, x-rays, and the removal of cell-phones, we were able to obtain an escort. We were also required to wear visitor badges. Once we made it inside we were able to get drinks. There was music, a bar, and a nice patio where a lot of people were sitting. After about ten minutes though we were all kicked out. The "commanding officer" didn't know us and felt uncomfortable with us being there. Again we were escorted and then forced to leave the property. A pretty thrilling forty-five minutes in my opinion. Instead of going to the embassy party we went to a place called Paris Cafe. Extremely westernized, it was honestly a relief after being bombarded by Arabic culture and language. We ordered a couple rounds of drinks and danced until one in the morning. Staying in groups, we made our way home using taxi's.
The next day, in major need of a coffee, I set out to brew my own Turkish coffee using a tea pot and ibrik. It involves boiling water the coffee grounds several times. I enjoy doing stuff that's hands on here liking cooking or making coffee. There isn't to much to do in the apartment besides study or watch Arabic television. I'm not very well equipped here. I found some peppercorn at one of the small stores along the street. After purchasing and bringing it home. I realized I didn't have a grinder, but there was a pestle and mortar. Even doing laundry is more difficult. No one uses a dryer here, so we all use a drying rack on our balcony.
Even though I get stared at every now and again, I honestly feel pretty safe here, and I'm slowly getting the lay of the land. Hopefully, I'll adventure further and further out of my protective bubble provided by CET.
To finish out the week some of my friends and I attempted to enter a party at the United States Embassy. Apparently, one of the students knew someone who was stationed there. After going through a rigorous security check that involved metal detectors, x-rays, and the removal of cell-phones, we were able to obtain an escort. We were also required to wear visitor badges. Once we made it inside we were able to get drinks. There was music, a bar, and a nice patio where a lot of people were sitting. After about ten minutes though we were all kicked out. The "commanding officer" didn't know us and felt uncomfortable with us being there. Again we were escorted and then forced to leave the property. A pretty thrilling forty-five minutes in my opinion. Instead of going to the embassy party we went to a place called Paris Cafe. Extremely westernized, it was honestly a relief after being bombarded by Arabic culture and language. We ordered a couple rounds of drinks and danced until one in the morning. Staying in groups, we made our way home using taxi's.
The next day, in major need of a coffee, I set out to brew my own Turkish coffee using a tea pot and ibrik. It involves boiling water the coffee grounds several times. I enjoy doing stuff that's hands on here liking cooking or making coffee. There isn't to much to do in the apartment besides study or watch Arabic television. I'm not very well equipped here. I found some peppercorn at one of the small stores along the street. After purchasing and bringing it home. I realized I didn't have a grinder, but there was a pestle and mortar. Even doing laundry is more difficult. No one uses a dryer here, so we all use a drying rack on our balcony.
Even though I get stared at every now and again, I honestly feel pretty safe here, and I'm slowly getting the lay of the land. Hopefully, I'll adventure further and further out of my protective bubble provided by CET.
Better Image of Paths Lined with Trees
Turkish Coffee in an Ibrik
Kofta Tehini
The Gang at Paris Cafe
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Don't let Spilled Coffee Ruin your Day
I intended to write and post a blog last night, but the internet was down. The poor internet seems to be a problem that I will have to suffer through for the rest of the semester. Yesterday was the first day of classes and it went smoothly. We actually got to go out for lunch as part of a class activity. Using knew vocabulary we were able to request our food in Arabic. I also received my last bag yesterday, and now I feel as though I can finally relax here.
I'm slowly finding my routine. This morning I went across the street to a cafe. Unfortunately, on my way out I spilled my coffee all over my hand and burned myself in front of the store owner. It was embarrassing and didn't help my appearance. Further down the street I found a bakery and bought what appeared to be a cheese danish. Class was a bit long today. Mostly going over grammar. After class, the students and I worked on a project that involved creating a film about furniture and activities in each room.
After about a week here I have collected a fair amount of dust on my shoes from all the walking. It seems that wherever I go there are people staring at me. Hopefully after a while people will become accustom to American students. Some shop owners even laugh when they hear us attempt to purchase food or items for our apartments in Arabic. It's strange. Here, you can always find Nutella in each store. I finished my night with an episode of "Arab's Got Talent", which was equally as entertaining as its American counterpart.
I'm slowly finding my routine. This morning I went across the street to a cafe. Unfortunately, on my way out I spilled my coffee all over my hand and burned myself in front of the store owner. It was embarrassing and didn't help my appearance. Further down the street I found a bakery and bought what appeared to be a cheese danish. Class was a bit long today. Mostly going over grammar. After class, the students and I worked on a project that involved creating a film about furniture and activities in each room.
After about a week here I have collected a fair amount of dust on my shoes from all the walking. It seems that wherever I go there are people staring at me. Hopefully after a while people will become accustom to American students. Some shop owners even laugh when they hear us attempt to purchase food or items for our apartments in Arabic. It's strange. Here, you can always find Nutella in each store. I finished my night with an episode of "Arab's Got Talent", which was equally as entertaining as its American counterpart.
The View From the Gym
Oh look, some Clouds on Wednesday
School Paths lined with Trees for Shade
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