Sorry about the lack of updates on life in Amman! School and life in general have really started to pick up lately, and I’m finding it harder and harder to put into words what’s happening here. I try my best to keep my personal blog updated regularly, but even that’s been suffering a little bit lately!
In the last month, I’ve been on a few fun trips. First and foremost was Petra, one of the seven modern wonders of the world! Our ISA group spent a full day in the ancient city hiking around, and even though I felt like I spent hours walking, I know that I’m going to have to make another trip back to Petra since I barely saw anything! Also, at the end of the day, a few friends we were traveling with got in trouble with the police over the price of a donkey ride and then we got a flat tire on the way home, so the day was not without its hiccups.
Another thing that’s happened in Jordan in the last month is spring! The trees are green, the flowers are blooming, and the weather is starting to get really warm. I’m a bit weary of what will come heat-wise in the next few weeks, being an Alaska girl, but at the moment anything seems better than sitting wrapped in blankets in our stone-floored apartment like we did all winter. A word to the warning of those who are planning on spending a semester in Jordan: winter is a real season here, so pack accordingly.
Two weeks ago, my Arabic class went on a field trip to the town of Salt, which is north of Amman and right next to our university. We learned about the history of Salt, how to make a delicious Salti (not salty!) dessert, and then we learned about traditional weddings and got to hold our own mock wedding. My roommate Stephanie was the fake arooz (bride), and Adam, another student, was the fake areez (groom). The rest of us got to be bridesmaids and groomsmen. There was traditional dancing and tons of pictures!
It’s hard to believe that the semester is over halfway over. Our semester doesn’t end until beginning/mid June, so I’ll be around for a little while longer, but it’s still hard to think that this year is coming to a close in a matter of weeks. I’m definitely not ready to go home yet, and I doubt that I will be in six weeks either. But until that happens, I’m trying to fit in as much Arabic and falafel in the next month and a half that I can!
Elika Roohi
Amman, Jordan
Spring 2012
You can follow Elika’s other adventures abroad on her personal blog www.elikaa.blogspot.com.
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