Alive in Amman...

There were bombings tonight. In big hotels, about 5 mins from where I live. I am downtown, hanging out at my old hotel. I am ok. Have heard back from many people I know here. Many internationals hang out in those hotels, aside from the rich people that stay there. My initial reaction was to call my family and tell them I'm okay, and explain where I was in relation to the bombings. I got really used to it last year in Israel. But being in Jordan I didn't think I would need to continue making those calls. And so a new chapter begins...

Off Again...

It's been a crazy couple of days. Wish I had the time and energy to
write a proper update. Suffice it to stay stuff is going well. I am
happy again.

Ramadan is ALMOST over. Tomorrow is Eid. That means 2 things:
1. Vacation
2. Food in public!
This is a winning combination, at the end of a long month. I can't
decide which I am more excited about. You may be wondering what I will
be doing with 4.5 days off from school. Going west-of course. I was
supposed to go camping in Aqaba, but it took too long to get stuff
organized. Last night a friend and I decided we should go west, so
west we shall go. We are not leaving until after school, so we
probably won't get to the border until 2. I have never been there so
late. it could get interesting...

No news is good news.

Hooray! It's the weekend. I am sitting in an internet café on a Friday night. But it's ok because I went out last night and tomorrow I need to get up early to got o Irbid to see a friend. And I have lots of studying to do.
Classes are continuing. My understanding is definitely improving. I am trying to speak more on the street, but people tend to reply in English or invite me over for dinner. I got my 3 month visa extension the other day, so now I need to begin the process of getting a 1 year residency (lots of paperwork, waiting in lines, and a blood test). I don't know that I will stay for a year, but it means I won't need to get a new visa every time I leave the country, and I will get a cool ID card.
Last night I had dinner with a couple people from my class and their respective roommates. I don't have a roommate, so I showed up on my own. I am still ok with living on my own. I have 2 bedrooms and lots of space, so you should come and visit!
I ran into a friend at a coffee shop later, and ended up going to a free concert. Oh, how I miss seeing live music. I can't even remember the last show I saw in the states. But I must've seen one this summer before leaving. I missed the first act which I was told was "traditional music", but made it in time to see a Syrian Jazz band which did covers of Pat Methany and Chick Corea, and the final group-Lebanese rappers. It was so strange to see a bunch of Arab guys all thugged out wearing baggy pants, baseball jerseys, big watches and necklaces, backward hats… One guy had corn rows, another a sweat band. They rapped to pre-recorded tracks. I couldn't understand most of what they were saying, but I probably wouldn't have gotten it in Enlgish, either. Two words I caught were "homeland" and "to heal, recover". And they did a french song. It was quite entertaining.
I got a couple of long sleeve shirts and a sweater at a flea market today. I really need to get more stuff soon. It SERIOUSLY rained the other day. And it is getting really chilly...
The bird flu is a comin'. A new friend just left for Baghdad. Ramadhan is more than halfway over. Stuff id bound to get exciting soon.

Back in the HK of J

So, I’m back from my short trip to J-ru. I am feeling refreshed and ready to dive in full force now. It was nice to be in Israel and spend time with friends, but I am liking it here, too. There is very little signage at the Allenby/King Hussien border, which led to some confusion and my standing in the wrong line for 20 mins, talking to a big group of Christian Canadian tourists who asked me questions, like ‘is it ok to drink the water’ and ‘are cars in Amman like the US?’ who were in for a BIG surprise. I know you are supposed to pay a (hefty) exit fee when you leave Israel. I have read it in books and experienced it at many land crossings. THEN WHY DON”T THEY PUT UP A SIGN? How was I supposed to know I needed to go to the “change point” to give them money? I thought that was where you CHANGE money. Needless to say, I had to pay the 134 NIS fee (about $35!), and yelled at the woman in the booth about the confusion. While on the 5 minute, $3 bus ride across the bridge, the driver collected all of our passports. When I got to the “other side” we all went to the window to pick up our inspected passports. But mine never came. The man behind the window did not believe I gave my prized American passport to the driver, and made me go through my things. Then I watched as he and a few colleagues ran around the terminal for a while, in order to locate said passport. 10 minutes later it was back in my hand, with no explanation as to its temporary whereabouts….
So now I am back in Amman. Yes, I have an apartment. Right now it is just me, but I will try to find a roommate. This whole on my own thing isn’t so bad, so far. The super speaks good English (although during the negotiation process he seemed to not) and I have a nice view of the city with it’s HUGE Jordanian flag. If only the hot water worked…
Soon, insha alla, soon.