Blogs from North, Jordan, Middle East - page 32

Jordaania kohta ei oskagi midagi kirjutada, kuna kogu oma siin oldud aja veetsin ainult kõrbes (mitte midagi tehes). Kodutöö oli siia tulles tegemata, kuid üldjuhul vastas minu ettekujutusele. Suurt vaadata siin ei ole ja erinevalt Liibanoni ja Süüriaga on tunda, et "tänu" koostööle läänemaailmaga, ei ole negatiivse meedia propaganaga turistide horde siit eemale hoidnud. Kohalikud üritavad igal võimalusel petta ja kedagi usaldada sellepärast siin ei saa. Esimesel katsel Iisrealisse sisenedes saatis juba Jordaania piir mind jutule võtmata tagasi. Järgmisel päeval uuesti proovides õnnestus siiski piirivalvurid ära rääkida ja Jordaaniast väljumistemplit mulle passi ei löödud. Iisreali pool hoidis mind hiljem selleparast 6 (kuus) tundi kinni, kusjuures piir suleti 2h ennem minu vabaks laskmist. Juudid lubasid passi märgistamata labi lasta ainult tingimusel,et sama piiripunkti kaudu näda... read more

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So today, after handing out food packages, we made a quick stop by Jerash. The ancient ruins are very well preserved by the desert climate and are quite impressive. With two large amphitheatres, the place serves as the accomadation for the famous Jerash festivals. Unfortunatly these lively festivals happen just as we leave. We saw evidence of preparation for the crowds to come though as small tents were set up and stages built in the amphitheaters. If you're ever in Jordan at the end of July don't miss the festivals... they're supposed to be incredible. The actual ruins themselves are really quite Roman... they say if you've seen one great Roman ruin, you've seen them all. But for me, I really enjoyed our quick walk around the area seeing as they were my first Roman ruin ... read more

We finished the house and guiltyly left a happy, waving family behind in the desert heat. The next day was one of "rest and recreation" but, of course, being the good travelers we are, we couldn't stand the thought of a day of nothing. Due to some program complications we were sent out of the way while the arabs fixed our complicated schedule. We stuffed ourselves into taxis and set out for a real cultural experience... Mecca Mall. Yep, a mall, fully equipped with every American and European big name you can think of. Riding up the escalator behind two completely, though very styleishly, covered women in hijabs and extremely high heels I was again touched by the extremes in this place. Wealth and a lack of and all of it under the headlines of ... read more

Moving on Jordanian time has dominated my mentality. Everything that is planned could easily change at absolutely any moment. It's a wonderful lesson in patience. The presentations have been good although the turn out has been questionable. Already we have much intrest in students here who want to start a branch of Amnesty International. Great! As long as we change one perspective we've made a difference. We've also met some incredible people. Last night we celebrated Jude (my Jordanian coyear)'s birthday at her house. Her mother made a traditional Jordanian sweet whose name I can't remember. It was made of orange cheese and cream cheese and combined savory and sweet in a weird way. It was very good though. Tomorrow we hopefully go to the dead sea. It hasn't been hot at all yet but ... read more