So Far--Upto Jordan
Trip Start
Oct 20, 2008
1
17
29
Trip End
Feb 02, 2009
Amman,
Jordan
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
1. Cell phones from other countries work in other countries, just not ones from the States
2. Verizon has nothing on the amount of coverage outside the States. In the middle of the Serengeti plains, our guide's phone was ringing away. In the desolate desert of Wadi Rum our hiking guides wife called to let him know the kids were at school already. Ring ring goes the cell phone everywhere. But then again, is that really a good thing all the time? Sometimes, quiet is needed...
3. Light switches for the rest room in all places we stayed are always OUTSIDE the bathroom. I can't even remember where light switches that were inside the restroom. Weird.
4. We learned to cook Jordanian food at Petra Kitchen. That was an awesome experience. Ernie and I ended up being the only students in this large cool kitchen, with the chef, Tariq and the assistant. Tariq was hilarious!! We made mutabal (eggplant hummus), arabic salad, a stewed tomato dip, fouul, lentil soup, and baked chicken with tomato and potatoes. It was all very yummy! Did you know that my name, spelled differently, but pronounced similarly means "lentil soup"? Tariq would say "Addes", I reply "yes?" He says, "No, the soup" We had so much fun, even Ernie loved it. I asked for music as we cooked and we all had a blast.
5. We had the best fouul (not sure of the spelling) and hummus EVER. Our kooky driver (not always kooky in the most fun way), took us to a small alley where crowds of men were sitting at outdoor tables, eating the traditional breakfast of hummus, fouul, pita, and falafel. Then we stepped into this tiny restaurant (epitome of "hole in the wall"), where an older big man was scooping up fouul right out of a copper turine, and the man beside him constantly making new hummus as the servers busily buzz around the small counter picking up small bowls of food. BTW, that is all the serve here, fouul, hummus, falafel, pita, and Jordanian tea. We ate as locals, and it was awesome! I happily sat there, scooping up my food, topped with olive oil, a garlic/parsley paste, with my pieces of pita. Man, it was good. Quarters of onions and mint were chasers for the fouul. I loved watching how the other men ate their food, as I mimicked the ones I felt savored their food the best. My eyes forgot to blink as I observed wide-eyed at everything. Opened since 1952, Hashem's walls (as little as they are) are littered with local as well as national accolades, pictures of the Jordanian kings and celebrities. The freshly made hummus had yet to get that sour taste (in a good way) as the ingredients react together. I need me another fix of that good stuff. Definitely a happy memory.
6. My flustered husband getting man-handled by a very buxom, barely dressed belly dancer at a traditional Jordanian dinner (singers, band, belly dancer, good food), a few nights ago. Man, I wish I had our camera!! But the images are in my mind, I will happily recount it to visitors when I return home.
7.One of the sadder things I have noticed is the amazing pollution and garbage throughout the places we have traveled. I see so many people and I wonder how are world can support all of our consumption and creation of pollutants and garbage. As beautiful as Jordan is, with amazing landscapes, colors, and people, I can't help but notice how trash is everywhere; by far, plastic bags and plastic bottles have been the most prevalent trash I have seen. It is everywhere. Recycle? Even in Wadi Rum; where plastic bags substitute for flying birds as the wind carries it across the magnificent landscapes. It makes me think of how I live my life as a consumer and what can be done.
As we continue to travel, I know that I will not return home as the same person; as with travel, subtle and dramatic changes have taken place and I am glad of it. Travel effects change...
