My First Week In Jordan

Before arriving here in Jordan, I kept trying to imagine what life is like here and how much my life would change once arriving.  A few people who live here had tried to paint a picture for me as to what to expect, but let's face it, it is not until you are here and actually doing life here that you begin to gain some understanding.  I'm sure I will continue to learn new things about this country, the people and life but I wanted to give you a glimpse as to what daily life here is like.

Amman is a big city!!!!  There are cars everywhere driving like I have never seen before.  There are not really cross walks here that I have seen so when you need to cross, you just cross!  You watch and wait and then you walk like there is no tomorrow because the next car is coming and there is no such thing as "pedestrians have the right of way" here!  For those in Brentwood, picture crossing HIghway 4!  For those in SJ, picture crossing San Thomas Expressway and not using the crosswalk!  My means of transportation will either be walking or taking a taxi.  I have taken a taxi, but with one of my roommates not alone yet.  I'm not feeling confident quite yet to take a taxi myself, but I'm getting there.

Having the internet is wonderful and my saving grace!  I love getting online and seeing what people are doing and talking to people!  Thanks to the wonderful Mike Towns, when I have internet for my itouch, I am able to text and call people without it being an international call!  It's been great!  Because I don't have a car, I don't have that freedom to go where I want when I want, so it's nice to have the internet.

Thinking about what I am wearing has been a little strange.  No I don't have to wear skirts, pants (including jeans) are allowed.  For ladies, no shorts or tank tops!  It's also been strange to not see girls wearing shorts or tank tops, although last night as I was being brought home by one of my team members after having gone out to dinner, we saw a girl walking down the street wearing a tank top!  That was quite exciting!

The other thing quite fascinating is that here Friday is not a work/school day!  Everyone has it off.  Even the mall doesn't open till almost 2:00pm I heard.  Saturdays and Sundays are work days.  People here in Jordan work 6 days a week!  Some of the children's school schedule is Monday - thursday; Friday no school; back to school on Saturday; no school Sunday.  I'm not sure if this applies to all schools.

The other fun thing about Jordan is that most everything doesn't really begin here till about 10am.  So lunch tends to be as late as 2:00pm with dinner between 8:00 and 9:00pm.  The best time to hit restaurants is the 5:30/6:00pm hour because they are not busy at all!

I have enjoyed going to church Thursday night and then again on Sunday morning.  The Thursday night service seems to be more of a contemporary type service with Sunday being more of a traditional.  I enjoyed the Sunday morning more mostly because there was someone there interpreting in English where Thursday there wasn't so I had no idea what was going on!  However, it was fun at both services to watch the people worship!  They sung out each song and were so happy to be there!  It brought tears to eyes as I thought that no matter where you are, when the people of God come together, even if you can't understand it is the same Holy Spirit there.

I hope that gives you somewhat of an understanding of what life is like here so far.  I'm excited to see what things are in store for me.  There have been many many times during this week where I have been  completely outside of comfort zone, but then I think even though it's painful it's good for me to stretch myself.  I will continue to write as I walk through this journey.  Please text or call me whenever!  (even the middle of the night for me!)  I smile when I wake up in the morning and see text messages and FB messages!

My roommates made this for me and put it on my bedroom door

My bedroom!  Not really liking sleeping on a twin bed but it's one of
those things that is stretching me!

This is my closet and dresser!  I am filling it with the pictures
and cards that have been given to me!

This is the living room as seen when you walk through the
front door

This is the "formal" dining room.  

This is the kitchen.  The only thing it does not have is
a dish washer.

Another view of the kitchen.  It is quite big

Yes we have a toilet AND bidet (a butt cleaner!)
And no I don't use it!

The view from my bedroom window

The view at night.  What you can't see is the big hotel that
changes the color of lights!  Kind of cool!

My "flat" from the outside