The Weekend

Hiking, walking, exploring, swimming, camping, rock climbing, adventuring, camel riding, snorkeling, inadequate sleeping are just a few words to summarize the weekend I just lived. 

This expedition took me to Wadi Rum, Aqaba, and Petra, all located in Southern Jordan.  I am still trying to quantify the magnitude of the trip I just partook in; I can’t fully comprehend it because I am still in a state of awe.  

Each place brought with it its own exceptional qualities, and adventure.

Wadi Rum

The first day we left Amman in the early morning, heading to Wadi Rum, full of excitement and anticipation. Then our bus broke down in the middle of the desert, which gave us the opportunity to play some soccer.  An hour and a half later we were back on the road! We started driving and less than a mile away we were stopped by a substantial traffic backup. 30 minutes passed, and we were able to make a U-turn and head down a different road towards Wadi Rum.

Upon arrival, we had a quick dinner and then the true beginning of the expedition began. We took 4x4s out into the dessert, and made a couple stops at some magnificent viewpoints. Our next stop was at a camp at which we transferred over to camels for the final leg of the day’s journey. The final stop was at our campsite, where we could watch the sunset over the desert horizon. A beautiful ending to a beautiful day. Wadi Rum Pictures!

Aqaba

The following morning we departed for Aqaba, where the Red Sea is located. This was the first time that we could clearly see Israel! At Aqaba we spent the day on the Red Sea, snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing on a boat. The unique thing about the Red Sea is how salty it is, which made for a rough time snorkeling, but nonetheless it was a great experience because we were able to see coral, many different species of fish, eels, and lobsters.

At the end of our time at Aqaba, we left for Petra, where we were going to sleep for the night. Aqaba Pictures!

Petra

Established 312 BC.

Petra was the highlight, and the climax of the trip. This was the day that I was most looking forward to, and it did not disappoint. It was amazing to see how this ancient city, carved out of stone, was still prevalent today. We were able to see the tombs of ancient ancestors, the great Petra Treasury, and countless other priceless historical places.

The diverse architecture and art represented different times in history and people, along with the different civilizations that have governed them. Whether you looked up, down, or to the side, there was always something magnificent to see.

In this day we walked well over 6 miles, along with climbing roughly 800 stairs up to the Monastery and Mountain View points. It didn’t end there however, a friend and I went off the beaten path, up between the mountain and the monastery, where after a rough climb, we ended up on top of the Monastery. It’s rare to find me speechless, but at this moment I was.

We then headed back down the mountain, where at the base of it we decided that taking a camel the rest of the way would benefit our exhausted bodies immensely. It was worth every piaster.

Petra Pictures!

The aching of Monday morning is a subtle reminder of the weekend I just lived.

Football (soccer) match!

Jordan vs. Australia.

I went to my first football match yesterday, and it was a very different, very unique experience. This is coming from an avid Lions fan, and experienced NFL game goer. The atmosphere around the King Abdullah  Stadium was energizing, and deafening. When I first approached the stadium, I asked my friend's host brother if the game had already started because of how loud the cheering was, he replied that it still had an hour until it began, I was bewildered.

Jordan ended up coming through in the second half with the win, 2-1.

The entire city erupted after this win, it was like they just won the game of the century.

I am still in the first week of my internship and classes. Everything is going smoothly, and I am really enjoying my time here in Amman.

For more pictures from the football match, click here!

Internship

I just received notice that I have been chosen for an internship at The Development and Free Zones Commission (DFZC) !  

أسرة جديد

I've been living in Amman for a week now, and have had so many new experiences and challenges that it is impossible to document them all here. However, some of the more memorable, important things that have happened in my first week here, is moving in with my host family, getting my semester schedule, and learning the importance of Arabic.

My host family consists of a family of four, a mother, father, and two sons. Both sons are around my age and have been exceptional hosts and translators since I’ve arrived here early this past week. The mother doesn’t speak any English, but is fluent in Arabic and Russian. The father is fluent in Arabic and knows a little bit of English. Both sons are fluent in Arabic and their English is the best in the family, which has been helpful with communication. Language barriers can become difficult and frustrating sometimes; but my experience with this family has been a great comical learning experience.

Professors always talk about the practical use of the material that they are teaching, and usually students ignore it, now I know what they are talking about. I’ve had to pull out all my basic Arabic knowledge to communicate what I want to eat, drink, and do. Communicating with my host family appears easy when I’m out on the street of Amman attempting to navigate myself to and from places. It has been an adventure full of failures and successes, but most importantly learning opportunities.

Semester schedule: I have four classes, 15 credits this semester. Nine credits of which are Arabic language classes, and the final six credits consists of two classes; The Middle East: Alternative Perspectives, and Environment and the Politics of Water.

Amman, Jordan

When people discuss the Middle East, it comes with a negative reputation for being unsafe, anti-american, and hostile.

I have experienced the exact opposite of that from my few days here. It amazes me how helpful, friendly, and courteous the Jordanian citizens have been. Here in Amman, I have felt 100% safe all the time. This has eased my transition into this country immensely.

This week is full of information, orientation, and exploring. Tomorrow night I move in with my host family, the following day I take my Arabic placement exam, and then my first classes begin on Sunday. I have been staying in hotels, eating at restaurants, and have been living the life of a tourist since I left Michigan; this is all about to change rapidly.

In my mind, studying abroad isn't about being a tourist in a town, it's about assimilating into an environment that is different from what we are used to in the United States. My goal is to go from an outsider looking in, to an insider looking out.

In this following semester I will judge my success from how I transition from a tourist to becoming a self efficient member of Jordanian society.

Departure

Istanbul was fun, educational, and an adventure. But it was only a taste for what’s to come.

This last day in Istanbul I went to Hagia Sophia, a cathedral of Constantinople, turned mosque by the Ottomans. It was amazing to see how a structure of its magnitude is still standing today.

After this I finally ventured outside of the City Walls and was able to look at a different part of Istanbul.

My time in Istanbul introduced me to a new cuisine, culture, and environment. It’s interesting to compare and contrast different cultures to the daily norms that we are used to. 

I arrived in Amman this morning at 3am (my time) and will be here till the end of December.