Amman

First impressions of Amman:

I really am in the Middle East! The architecture looks as one would expect, and yet it is a delight to my eye to see buildings so different from those we're used to. Most houses are actually multiple family dwellings - usually one family per floor for middle to high income people. My sister's family lives in a house like that. (More on that another time.)

The stores are sometimes in a clusters like at home, but are often scattered among other businesses. It is strange to not be able to tell what kind of store a business is - sure wish I read Arabic!

It is as dry and dusty here as one would expect; however, the Jordanian government planted many trees in Amman and it certainly makes it beautiful. Families love to come have picnics along the side of the highway where all these trees are. The women, being inside most of the day, love to be out in the action in the cool evenings and enjoy the green of the trees. It is quite a site to see so many families setting up picnics along the side of the road. It seems loud and dusty to me, but it is just where they want to be - in the middle of things!

The traffic is certainly different from in the U.S. with lanes being optional, etc., but it is nothing like Jakarta or Manilla traffic. Much more civilized. My brother-in-law and sister are adept at maneuvering in the confusing melee and I'm very thankful to not have to take the wheel.

People are the same as everywhere in the world - some are friendly, and some just keep their heads down and are busy. Lisa's world is very welcoming of me and I'm delighted to meet them! The businesses she frequents know her and are very helpful and friendly. Lovely to see.

The boys are back in school today, so it is once again Hannah, my sister and I at home. (Friday here is like Saturday in the U.S.). The work schedule goes from Sat, Sun, Mo, Tue, We, Thur, then Fri off. The boys go to a school with a lot of Westerners, so they have Friday off to honor the local system, back to school on Saturday, Sunday off to honor the foreigners who attend school. Sounds strange to us, but it is their norm.

Let me know if you want more or less detail, and what kind of info and pictures you want. Have questions? Put them as comments - I'm checking every day! Love to you all!