Regency Palace Hotel Amman

December 24, 2005: We arrived in Amman, Jordan after a half day of travel from Cairo, Egypt. It was nice to sleep in this morning and then lounge around the Cairo Marriott to enjoy it one last time before departing. Sipping tea in the outdoor café, we were able to appreciate the diversity of people who were staying at the hotel for various reasons - business, leisure, or like us, a trip of a lifetime. That last sip of tea marked the end of our time there, so we gathered our things and made ou...

Amman was another place I'd no real intention of coming to at the outset. The original plan was to travel overland from Shanghai to Newcastle: from Helsinki to Stockholm by ferry, a train via Oslo to Bergen, and a ferry from Bergen to Newcastle. Two things screwed this up: firstly the Bergen-Newcastle ferry only runs a couple of times a week so timing became an issue, and more importantly, I noticed that I had a flight left over on my Round the World ticket - I've come here because I can. In ...

Conferences are done and so is my move! Well, almost! Thursday was a LONG day but we all survived. There were good comments from parents and the kids but I haven't read the feedback yet-that will be during our team meeting tomorrow. Out of 110 students, I think there were about 80 student/parent combos-that is great! Now I just have to get it all together for Bangkok! Once we were done for the day, Jayna(HS English) took us to a cute bookstore/cafe close to downtown Amman. There was a pretty ...

Well, two weeks has come and gone way to quickly! I left Mom and Dad at home till I had prep, Dad finished packing so we could take the luggage to RJ after school and then to school they went. They were able to tour school, meet my friends, meet the admin, and then spend time with my 8th grade American History kids. I don't know who was looking forward to it more-Mom and Dad or the kids! The kids were able to ask questions-anything they wanted but then it was time to work on their History Day...

I left for school after having a cup of coffee in the morning. Mom and Dad were all set to go! Of course, there were tears. Would you expect any less from us? :-) Jaena(English) took them to the airport as she didn't have to be at school till 9:30. I am so lucky to have such good friends that want to help and be around! I managed through the day kinda teary but I had good kids so it was fine and good friends that were ready with a hug. Mom and Dad got home to Northfield after midnight and min...

Today was time for new toes! Kia sent new nail polish and my toes were in desperate need of some attention. Terri had found a new place to go in Swefiyeh so Anita and I went first. It is a nice place-clean and all the utensils all steralized and quite relaxing with a back massage chair. :-) In the afternoon, Terri, Anita, Jaena, and I went to the new mall by my house for a movie. First it was to Caribou for coffee and then to see "Made of Honor". It was predictable and definately a chick flic...

The week is almost done and treats are in order! I met Jaena and her daughter's-Sarah and Beth at the Starbucks by my house. The decision was dinner first or a drive? Food won and we went to a Chinese place in Abdoun called "Wox". It was really good food and my stomach didn't react at all! Guess I can go back there. :-) Beth and Sarah went home while Jaena drove Terri and I around Amman looking at cool mosques. The girls thought we were weird to want these pictures but then to them, it's a da...