so long to the headstrong

These last four months my life has been filled with translating newspapers, studying vocab, speaking appointments and presentations, and meeting new people. Although it has been tough and exhausting, it was very rewarding. Throughout my time in Jordan I have learned a lot about myself and have grown to love this culture, religion, and its people.  There are many things that I can’t help but love and appreciate about Jordan.

-          Traffic and transportation: I know the ins and outs of Jordan through its services, buses, and taxies. My favorite thing to do is ride a taxi from one side of the city to the other while listening to fairuz or American music late at night, watching as some parts of the city are closing down for the night, while others are just getting started.

-          Buildings and neighborhoods: There is a clean line of the rich and poor in Amman. One side of the city is filled with old, overlapping apartment buildings, broken roads and stairs, markets, and falafel stands.  In the other side, you’ll find bridges, tunnels, main roads, nicer apartments that are designed the same, supermarkets, KFC, and McDonalds.

-          The People: However, whichever side they come from, the people are the most generous that I know.

-          Religion: Muslims live their religion better than I do. Nothing is as inspiring as watching a man stop in the street or a women leave your company to pray. Nothing is more beautiful than the call to prayer at sunset.

I have become very comfortable her, so much so, that I haven’t felt like a tourist, or even a foreigner for a long time. Things that were a surprise and different to me at first are second nature to me. I try to envision my life before I got here and I can’t remember. I laugh when I try to envision myself trying to fit back into Provo life and ALL that goes with it. I worry that I’ll miss Jordan too much, and have moments of craziness. However, I worry at how easy it will be for me to participate in my old life as I used to as if I had never left, and how easily I’ll forget my life and experiences here.   

To be honest I haven’t improved in Arabic as I had wanted or expected to when I got here. Not because of my program or any other factor other than myself. I’m just not that brilliant, and need more time. And it’s taken me a long time to accept that and be ok with it. There are some days when it’s harder to accept than others, but I’ll get there. It does however, give me an excuse to come back, and that makes me smile. 

Some of my favorite memories-

Annie taught me everything I know. :)

Fruit salads

the city of salt

cold apartment and cold roommates.

good friends and the best of times. 

my primary class

petra and good company

view of al-ashrafiyya at sunset

one of my fav places. darat al-fanun. 

The boudia and riding a camel. 

boating on the red sea

city of aqaba

wadi rum

eid istaklal

ramadan

good people. good times

view from al-ashrafiyya at night

al-ashrafiyya mosque