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

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.

 Better Image of Paths Lined with Trees

 Turkish Coffee in an Ibrik 

 Kofta Tehini

The Gang at Paris Cafe 

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.

 The View From the Gym

Oh look, some Clouds on Wednesday  

School Paths lined with Trees for Shade

Orientation Day

Today wasn't too exciting.  Most of my time was taken up by orientation and then the OPI exams.  I finished my exam around 6 o'clock at night and rushed to the grocery store.  It's about a mile, which in the sun can really take a toll on you.  I grabbed some food basics, pasta, bread, potatoes, an onion, chicken, beef, olive oil, and rice.  I spent a little under thirty dinars, which was less than I was expecting.  One of my biggest fears is not eating enough calories in a day.  I'm use to eating as much as possible at home, but I don't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money.  I'm sure I will figure out food after I've been here for a while.  After going to the grocery store, I made it to the gym, finally.  It cost fifty dinars for three months which is cheaper than what I was paying in the states.  The owner seems nice and one of the members talked with me for a bit.  Overall solid day, but still waiting for my second bag.
  There are a couple of cultural things I'd like to share before I forget.  The roads here are a dangerous place.  Cars fly by and rarely stop for pedestrians.  Their best way of communicating is through hunks, head nods, and hand jesters.  These signals can be seen consistently through the day and heard all through the night.  The only way to actually cross the street is by J-walking.  For the most part this is an individual playing Frogger across the road.  If you happen to be in the middle of the road and a car comes up to you.  The car does not stop.  Instead it dodges you, without even some courtesy room.
  I've been here a couple days now and sometimes I think I hear what sounds like an ice cream truck.  It comes by frequently enough that it possibly could be.  After an out from the apartment, I discovered that it's actually a propane truck.  I still can't figure out why the propane truck plays a jingle.
  When walking down the side-walk, one must be careful of the rubble and un-even ground.  Trash is easily avoided and so is the shit that is found here and there.  The first time I saw shit on the side of the road I wondered where it came from.  The other night I was walking home, and parked in the middle of the sidewalk was a donkey.  I think its safe to say it was his fault.
  I have been seeing trash all over the place and sometimes right next to garbage cans that are actually everywhere along the street and next to buildings.  I thought people really just didn't care that much, but I have started to notice a high frequency of people scrounging through trash cans.  These people literally take out bags, rip them open, and leave unwanted trash wherever it falls.  I'm not really sure what brought these people to do it.  Although, I have a few ideas.
  On a higher note, the teas and coffees offered around the city are more than good.  Often stronger than American tea or coffee, with the right amount of sugar and milk they are delicious.  Sometimes black is even preferred.   Recently I've enjoy Karak Tea, which is prepared authentically here and very popular.  It's the equivalent of a Chia in the states.  For coffee, I enjoy Turkish Coffee.  It's strong and only a small cup can keep you up for hours.

Day Two

   It's my second day in Jordan and so far I haven't experienced any cultural shock.  My morning started like most, hitting the snooze early in the morning and sleeping in another hour.  I pried myself out of bed at around nine o'clock.  I quickly got dressed in a borrowed shirt and my previous days jeans, along with a pair of complimentary socks provided by Emirates Airline.  I still hadn't gone grocery shopping so I grabbed the last orange and called it breakfast.  With nothing else to do, but study, I sat in front of my notebook and went over vocabulary.  before I knew it, one of the instructors walked into the room and handed me my placement exam for classes.  Each section lasted an hour, starting with writing, then reading comprehension, and finishing with grammar.  The exam was extremely difficult and exhausting.  My Arabic was more than rusty and I struggled to come up with vocab I knew I had learned.  At the end I was handed worksheets that would be used on class starting Monday.  Famished, my roommate and I walked down the street to grab sandwiches.  The middle of the day was too hot to sit outside, so we rushed back to our air conditioned room.  I began skimming through the worksheets and tried to memorize some of the words.
  My studying was interrupted, but at least with some good news. My roommate announced that my luggage had arrived.  A wave of relief flooded my body and I rushed out of the room.  Not only did the delivery service bring my luggage to the building, they brought it straight to the room.  My excitement faded as soon as I saw that there was only one bag.  I asked where the other one was located, but the delivery man stared at me blankly.  The doors shut on the elevator and he was gone. I hurriedly called the baggage service company and after five failed attempts I gave up.  Shortly after, I received an email that the second bag was received in Amman, but still in processing and would arrive within the next few days.  I was confused why the bags were separated and one would take longer than the other to arrive, but just knowing I would soon be reunited with all my luggage made me happy enough not to question it.
  Around 5:30 all the students from the academic program collected themselves outside the building and we loaded up into buses.  The buses went through the more western parts of town, until we ended up at the Don Quichotte Restaurant.  The restaurant was beautiful and more up scale than what was offered near my apartment.  Most of the tables were outside, shaded by a roof, but there were no walls. Well decorated, with a good energy, I can understand why we were brought there.  The meal was decedent and filling.  Three courses were served including a dessert.  As good as the food was, the time offered an opportunity to get to know other students.  Soon it will become difficult to talk so easily, due to the language pledge. We returned to the apartments around eight, but many were still energized and wanted to return to the streets.  A group of us returned to the Hollywood Cafe.  This time I enjoyed some shisha and made a good friend, Blake.  We are planning on traveling to Lebanon for one of the breaks.  I feel like at this point I should be open to any opportunity, so why not.  Tomorrow is orientation and hopefully I will receive my last bag, but who knows.  If I do, I'll be sure to start going to the gym as soon as possible.  Its been too long and I think it will help get me back on a routine.

 My Street

 Don Quichotte Restaurant

Don Quichotte Restaurant

A Few Photos from the Flight

Coke Cola Can

Dubai

  Saudi Arabia 

Day One

  Coming off the plane in Amman, Jordan was a relief.  After more than twenty-four hours of traveling I was glad to be at my destination.  Customs wasn't a hassle at all and currency exchange was simple.  the biggest problem came with my luggage or lack there of. My bags got lost during my travels, but I was assured by the baggage service that they would be found and delivered to my apartment.

 Once I made it to the entrance lobby, my new task was to find a taxi.  It wasn't difficult.  After about twenty paces from leaving the building a man approached me and asked if I needed a taxi (in English).  He brought me to a kiosk and a group of men all wearing a taxi company's uniform were huddled around it.  He picked a young man from the group who then escorted me to his vehicle.  I gave him the address that was typed on a paper along with other directions.  We made small talk in Arabic about where I'm from and what I'm doing in Arabic.  Then in English, he told me he doesn't know exactly how to get to the address.  A few moments later I see him honk and signal to another cab driver.  We got off at an exit that led to a side road.  The other taxi followed behind and then we both pulled over.

  My cab driver got out and made his way to the other.  They talked for several moments and then my driver came back.  He told me that the other taxi would bring me to my address and demanded twenty two dinar (Jordanian currency).  The whole situation freaked me out.  I was assured that the cab driver would know how to get to my address.  I had never heard of a taxi giving up his passenger for another to collect on.  The situation seemed odd, but my only other option was to deny his request and sit on the side of the road in the middle of a foreign country.  I reluctantly made my way to the second cab.  Again we made small talk about where I was from and why I was in Jordan.  I was freaking out quietly, but did my best to keep my composure.  

  Eventually we made our way to an intersection and the turn made was in the direction of the city of Amman.  I began to calm down.  I was offered a cigarette. I turned it down.  In response he stuffed his hand into his pocket and rolled down both our windows.  The hazy air hit me instantly.  Although it wasn't heavy from humidity it still carried a dry weight from the desert dust and exhaust from the thousands of cars around us.  The highway was familiar.  A lot of cars traveling quickly with a fair amount of traffic but nothing obscene.  Once we made it into Amman the traffic began to build and the speed slowed until cars were bumper to bumper.  Tan buildings roughly five stories high seemed to surround the road for miles.  Each one indistinguishable from the last.  The more we drove the closer together the buildings became and soon I found myself deep in Amman.  Like a tour guide the cab driver pointed out the window at different university buildings.  We closed in on my address and he pulled over, got out of the car, and went into a Pizza Hut.  I waited, uncomfortably, but he returned shortly.  He turned the vehicle around and drove about fifty meters up a hill.  Finally I had arrived at my final destination.  He expected no money, apparently my previous cab driver payed him for the trip and he expected no tip.  Thank God, because my Jordanian Dinars were limited. 

  My roommate arrived shortly after me with an equally odd cab story.  His name is Justin. He is 28 and from Mississippi.  Previously an assistant manager at a pharmacy, he came to Jordan in hopes of becoming an Arabic teacher back in the states.  A major life change, but I can appreciate it. 

  It wasn't difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.  I ended up sleeping for twelve hours.  Waking up at eleven really disrupts what you can do in the day.  I ended up hanging out in the apartment and skimming through one of my Arabic books.   I spent a bulk of the afternoon, trying to track my bags, but they hadn't arrived yet.  Trying to keep my mind off the bags my roommate and I made our way to the restaurants that lined the street near our apartment.  We met two girls in our building,  Molly and Kirby, who also were a part of my education program.  Walking along the streets for the first time in the light revealed how gross the city was compared cities in America. Trash was not only on the ground, but also blowing in the wind.  Mangy cats roamed the street and shop owners desperately swept their stoops.  Tables and other flat surfaces constantly needed to be cleaned due to the light dust blown by the wind.

 We got a bite to eat at a sandwich shack and then made our way to a coffee shop, named Hollywood Coffee.  Nothing Hollywood about it besides a giant sign that proclaimed it.  None the less, the atmosphere was great.  Tea, coffee and shisha were served.  We spent the next two hours enjoying the drinks and conversation.  On the walk back we came across a gym that I'm sure will be visited frequently in the future.  Once I returned, I called the bag service again; one bag was found and they are still searching for the other.  Hopefully in one more day they will be delivered.