No, I Don't Want to Marry Your Son

The women here are more on the prowl than the men!!!

Last weekend I went to South Jordan to visit Wadi Rum, Aqaba and Petra. One word: Incredible.
In Wadi Rum we took 4x4 tours ,and got out to climb random sand dunes obviously, and then we rode camels- mine was pretty naughty, he kept jogging and I may or may not have almost fell off. After that we spent the night in a Bedouin camp area, and who knew you need a flashlight for the desert at night because its pitch dark?... It posed more than a few major problems. Anyways, I saw more stars that night then I've seen in my entire life- literally.

The next day we went to Aqaba and boarded these massive yachts to spend the day tanning and jamming to Arab music. We were supposed to be snorkeling, but the current was a little to strong for this blonde girl just trying to tan! Later that night we got to the hotel in Petra where we had traditional Mansaf. Me trying to eat wet rice with my hands is probably the most unladylike thing I've ever managed to do. Southern belles always use their table manners, and if my mother saw me, she may have had a heart attack.

After that the police literally had the street blocked off for our massive dance party, and yes, we had lots of Arabs and a live DJ- they taught us the ropes. Basically, if you want to dance like an Arab, stand in the circle, hold hands with your neighbor, and do some awkward combos of jumps and kicks, and you're golden!

The last day we went to Petra and it was stunning. It was a ton of walking, but it was totally worth it. The Nabeteans literally carved their entire city out of the side of the mountains, and I felt like I was in a weird Star Wars tatween meets Indiana Jones world.

This past week hasn't been overly eventful because I was just going to school- super funnn? BUT, this week I came to the realization that I am beginning to think in Arabic and sometimes it's harder to find the English word than the Arabic word, and its easier to read the signs in Arabic than in English! Pretty cool.

I went to the Abdalli souk today, and that was quite the experience. You've NEVER been flea marketing until you've been to a used clothes flea market in the Middle East, enough said.

-Blond Girl Out

Wadi Rum

Baby camel was thirsty (:

Treasury at Petra

If Everyone Knew About Strawberry Juice, They Would Appriceate the Middle East Quite A Bit More

Yeah, it's actually the staple of my diet here. That and rice.

My little brother listens to Kid Cudi- and I love him for that, and my little sister tries to teach me how to dance like an Arabic pop star- and I love her for that too.

Speaking of siblings-  Alex and I wanted to watch one of our super exciting pirated dvd's- so we decided to try The Five Year Engagement... who knew one of the first scenes would be Jason Segel wearing an apron with a picture of a naked man on it, and when he turns around his butt is all out?? I mean, I didn't.  LOL.Anyways... I'm sure it's pretty obviously how my little Jordanian sisters reacted. Whoopssss??

I saw a girl wearing Tori Burch flats the other day. No lie- and they weren't even knock offs.

I have come to realize I have to become obsessed with shows over here, because I can't watch my favorite shows outside of the country apparently, or listen to Pandora. Rude. Amman has enough music video channels to keep you entertained for days, but, sometimes a girl just reallyyyyy needs to watch Dance Moms.

Classes here are really, really tough. Even more, being at school all day long is such a shock for me- I've realized how easy I have it back home!

Deciding to live in the Middle East was quite a decision. I miss everyone back home, all of the American comforts you take for granted (aka showers and Internet), and the ease of life. However, being here, has lit an even larger "fire under my ass" to finish learning Arabic and continue learning about the problems facing the Middle East. I came here hoping to find myself and develop clear goals for my future, and after only one week, and I have come to realize the only way problems are going to be resolved is through finding a middle ground, which requires understanding each other. I am beginning to think I want a career in foreign policy making... but, we will see, I change my mind a lot.

Also, I am proud to say I haven't had Pizza or McDonald's yet.

 

This is me and my little sisters!

 

 

- Blonde Girl Out

 

Is It Bad The First Real Convo I Had With A Local Was With A Famous Singer??

NOPE. I don't think so. I went to an incredible concert in the ancient Roman amphitheater and I decided to go talk to the lead singer, casual. Of course he was super excited to talk to us (Alex and I) and he told us "he loves us," but I'm pretty sure that's what he tells all of his fans. Anyways, we started a trend and everyone started flocking to him because the pretty Americans did it they thought they could too. Whatever.


This weekend I also took my first trip out of the city. Well, just barely. I went to the ruins of a Roman villa. The "gatekeeper" was this old local man who didn't speak a word of English but his kindness literally seeped through his pours. He let us into the ruins and brought us fresh figs- He demonstrated the Arab generosity you only hear about in books now a days.

I thought it would be perfectly ok to leave my towel and socks in my locker at the gym and reuse them once today before lugging them home to be washed- bad idea, don't try that at home!


To my astonishment, the "smoothies" I have been drinking like water, thinking I'm being super healthy, actually have a lot of sugar in them....And so do the dates I've been eating thinking they're just fruit?..


I am beginning to make my travel plans for the semester and I have decided to see a lot of places in Jordan and make a trip to Israel! Also, I have finalized my plans for the Eid and I'm going to Paris! Someone make a movie about me, like really.

 
This weekend I am going to Wadi Rum, Petra, and Aqaba with CIEE....140 camels traipsing through the desert. The poor Bedouins, they’re going to be terrified- I'll have to make sure I wear my pink pants or something so they don't sense any danger!

-Blone Girl Out

Piracy and Falafel: The Glue of Amman

No, you cannot always assume something on the table that looks yellow and spreadable is butter. Because, you know, it could in fact be cheese. WHICH- doesn't at all taste the same while trying to eat a pancake. You also can't assume pancakes are eaten with your hands because all the other food is.. everyone knowssss in Jordan you use a fork and knife to eat your pancakes. DUH.

Living like a local means accepting and embracing certain facts of life: infrequent, cold showers,no AC, constantly being lost, not being able to fully communicate with anyone, and being able to listen to some prettyyyy interesting political and religious views without laughing your ass off.

If you don't know what to say, use the two multi-multi-multi faceted words the locals here in Amman use: yanee, and kHallus.It work's every time!

Today was my first day of school! It was hectic, and awkward. How else. Amman is pure chaos- and not a controlled chaos, no, I mean, like actual chaos. People and cars are everywhere and they actually aren't trying to avoid hitting you, so don't be fooled- it's not like DC. I learned that today when a woman was trying to park- on the sidewalk- and was one foot away from hitting me ( but I took a pretty gigantic jump to the side to avoid the car- and I'm pretty sure more people  noticed  my jump than the amount of people who would have noticed if I actually got hit) Anyways, the city is going to be hectic, class is going to be hard, and the walks are going to be long, but, in the end, it'll be worth it!!!

It's REALLY awkward when people smile and say weeelllcommeee, when they are middle-aged men, because how do you know if they are sincere?? I feel terrible being a "rude American," but I'm clearly not going to say "oh thanks, where's the party? " SO, to all the creepers out there-  you don't need to stare,I already know I'm a fabulous American girl. k thanks.

Best part of the day: driving through town when the Ganta Song came on in our taxi- ( I love you Chris and Sam <3 )

-Blond Girl Out



 

A Glimpse of My First Week

 Lunch during orientation at a local cafe

 

A small souk, souk jara

Hercules fingers at the Citadel

Me at Souk Jara

Fun and fruit lol

Local produce souk

A view from downtown

You Know, When You Walk into Your House and "Call Me Maybe" is Blasting?

Maybe you don't, but... it happens.

Today I got my class schedule! I placed into Intermediate Arabic II ! So, I will be taking 9 hours of MSA  per week and 3 hours of Jordanian Arabic. On top of that I am taking " America and the Arabs," its a course about US-ME relations, and I am also in Intercultural Communications, whatever that is- but, apparently I can count this blog for " journal entries"... but this may or may not be quality enough for that. Ha.  I'm trying to drop it for the Modern History of the ME course, so let's pray that happens.

Tonight Alex and I had dinner with my host parents and some of the family came over so we played games and ate lots of fuwaka ( fruit). I've been trying to speak Arabic but my MSA isn't exactly compatible with the local aimea, so I better start learning to talk like a local because today I got some pretty strange looks.

Today is the first day I have decided to live like a local... aka not showering. I feel gross. Call me, maybe?

-Blonde Girl Out

Rockin Amman in My Barbie Pink Jeans

Today was my first day in the city not at orientation, and it was nothing less than fabulous. My pink jeans were a hit.Waking up in the morning actually not knowing how to get to school or not even knowing the name of the street you live on is quite ... exhilarating? haha. Anyways, I used my awesome Arabic skills to get to and from school,and to buy things, no problem. What a girl.

God's grace brought me a 24/7 McDonald's right across from campus. I'm a bint sa3da ( happy girl (: ) Now I can eat my favorite food every single day. I promise to try new things.. just at dinner? But actually I haven't gone there yet- so proud!

On a far less momentous note, during the last few days Ive been getting to know the town !I took a  tour of the city on Monday and  I saw the Roman Herculean temple and amphitheater, and the king's automobile collection, and all sorts of stuff.Amman is really,really,really big. I am confident I will be in a perpetual state of lost for the remainder of my stay here. Literally, every single building looks the same.No matter what direction you look, all you can see for miles and miles is houses on hills. It's amazing.

Cell phone and Internet usage is literally the equivalent to ... I don't know, being a circus performer? It's very frustrating. So I don't want to talk about it.

My experience in Amman is going to be something I'll never forget- I can already tell. I have the most non- traditional, laid- back host family, and I love them to death! I have a hip mom and dad, a 14 year old brother who I'm not even sure is a human cause he sleeps like 20 hours a day,  22 and 17 year old sisters who are literally Arab princesses- they're SO beautiful and funny, and I also have an 11 year old and 8 year old sister who are both hilarious. Another American student names Alex is also living with me, so it makes things WAY less awkward too.

Today Hour, my youngest sister, Alex, and I were walking down the street and two men starting saying inappropriate things to us, so what does Hour do? She walks over to them, yells, and shakes her finger. SO sassy- She's my girl. Later tonight we decided to go furniture shopping at like 9 , and then to get "cocktails," aka smoothies at 11, and they were heaven on earth. But I have never seen so many men in one place drinking fruity drinks... goodgod, it was actually hilarious.

Tomorrow I get my class schedule and I start classes on Sunday! Good luck to me, navigating a new campus with a map written in Arabic!

-Blonde Girl Out