My week in Food

Sangria, on a roof top terrace, perfect.

Green Tea with Lemon and Jasmine, at an Amazing Tea House

Mixed Grill, Tomato and Beef, Hummos, and of to the left not in the picture Areis at Jafra in Balad, Amman

Fatoosh, Mandee Chicken and Rice at a Yemeni food place by our apartment 

The Best Falafel Sandwich ever consisting of Falafel, hummus, yogurt sauce, pickles, peppers, and probably some unknown stuff too

My Everyday Life in Jordan

In my last post I alluded to the fact that my life has been consumed by research, which unfortunately it has. So instead of overwhelming cultural immersion everyday, I get small bits because I most am doing a lot of work. However, I have not been completely oblivious to whats going on around me and I have to get out some point. These past few weeks I have gotten a feel for our neighborhood, ventured out a few times, and had some great food. 

Starting with my neighborhood, its right by the University of Jordan, so their are tons of students as some decent cafes to do work in. Gwen and I having been going to a place called October Blue that has great wifi for downloading true blood episodes/ doing real work, and the food is a strange fusion of sandwiches and Jordanian flavors. October Blue is an interesting place, as it is usually playing Dubstep at 11 am, which isn't the best for getting work done but it is so close to our apartment, has tons of space comfortable couches and tons of other students meeting in groups to get work done. The waiters are great but as most restaurants in Jordan take their time with most things. Unlike the U.S. experience of getting their ordering, eating, and leaving immediately after, in Jordan people like to take their time. At most place it takes quite awhile to get your menu, then you probably wont see your waiter again until you ask for the check which then also takes at least 20 minutes. Sometimes when they are pushing on 30 minutes, I am like really? But honestly I prefer it ten times better than the rushed attitude many restaurants  have in the U.S.

Besides October Blue we also frequent the electronic store to get minutes for our phones and internet, where  the workers vary between a middle aged guy, and a kid that seems to be around 13. He is always getting pissy with me when I give him large bills, meaning 5 JD for something that costs 1. Last time I went in the store I think he purposely gave me back all my change in coins, but I think he still like me. 

Our most visited spot is a corner store that has the basics but considering that really all I eat at home, is pretty good. The two workers whom I am assuming are father and son are great, and pretty much treat us like idiots which most of the time I am sure me wandering around a store that literally has one 10 foot aisle gives that impression. The son is possibly 16 tops, and usually says the numbers in English which helps kinda of but I still have to fumble around for change while Jordanians magically have the right amount immediately all the time. It confuses me. 

A few shops down from the corner store is a magical/evil place that sells the best/worst sandwich ever called the zinger. I am questioning whether I should describe it because I know there will be judgement, but its so good. Okay so a zinger is basically a sandwich that has a spicy fried chicken tender wrapped in turkey with melty cheese on top, with more spicy sauce and usually peppers and pickles. EEK it is scary, but I love it and its so close to my house, the man working there might also know us. BUT I do not get fries with it so thats a plus right. Anyways its pretty delicious. 

In all those are the important spots in the neighborhood, I need to take pictures but its hard to remember when you pass by these places everyday. 

Why is travel so important?

So I originally wrote this post about a week ago, and  lost it after the internet went out. In frustration I just did feel like finishing it at the time but I guess... I am over it so I will try again.
It has been quite a while since publishing a post, and I will admit that is largely due to the fact my life hasn't gotten pretty boring on the adventure front. Currently my life revolves around articles, articles and more articles on the research I am doing in Jordan. While I am learning TONS and gaining invaluable experience in producing papers of size in a time efficient way, it hasn't left a lot of time to gallivant around the country. So I could be write posts, but most of my day is spent writing or reading so by the time I get done with my real work the blog just hasn't been fitting in. However, I have been inspired enough to write one post that doesn't directly have to do with Jordan, but does tie into my experience here.

As mentioned in previous posts I have not always chosen the most traditional locations to travel as a 21 year old. While I know I am not unique because I have met many others my own age doing the same, and many going farther then I, it isn't exactly the norm in the Mid-West or South to venture to the Middle East. With two countries under my belt in the region I am feeling fairly comfortable. The transition to Jordan has been surprisingly easy. Though I admit I have had my moments of culture shock that have lead to a few temper tantrums (If you know me, you know I am mean temper tantrums in a literal way). Most of this has centered around the lack of individual mobility. Simple things like not having any bottled water in the house at night, after it is a "safe" time to go out, and dying of thirst until the next morning, etc. Most of these are faults of my own that I soon realize and now I always remember to get water during the day. However, the larger stuff has come much easier after living for 5 months in Morocco.

Now, transitioning from the U.S. to Morocco the first time around was no easy task, and it tool awhile for me to feel completely comfortable with in the society. The changes in my own attitude came slowly and I don't think I really noticed until coming to Jordan, and transitioning at a rapid speed. I really love the country already, I accept the things I can't change and incorporate a relativist view to about everything. I feel more confident, and definitely think I can make fun of all the American students just here for the summer even though I am in the same boat. Though I realize I am far from an accomplished traveler, I do think that I have gained invaluable skills from my time abroad enriching both myself and those around me.

I will be honest and say when I was first travelling abroad, I was terrified. Despite my background in anthropology and an extremely open family. I was scared to live in another country with pretty big cultural differences. I am sure I put on a pretty good front, that I was totally ready but I wasn't. And I don't really think you can be, and that's fine. The important thing is taking the challenges in stride. This not only goes for the traveler, but parents and friends. Living abroad is not only tough on the person living in a new culture but the people at home who, like my parents are probably just worried a lot. Besides the stress and worry though they also gain too. In a conversation with my dad the other day, we were talking about the possibility of me staying in Jordan, past the time when my roommate leaves, something he definitely was not open to before I left. But as a result of the things I have shared with them, they have also become more open to a new culture without living in it. My dad is always telling me random news about the region, something he may not have paid close attention to without me travelling here. Again I can't stress enough the benefits of going outside of your comfort zone, and introducing yourself to a new culture. It doesn't have to be a "non-traditional" location either, and for the U.S. residents it doesn't have to be an expensive trip across the Atlantic. There are countries to the south and north which are way more affordable.

Overall I get it, new things are scary, hell I am a college graduate and I have to somehow figure out how to live life after 16 years of being a student, and I am freaking out but I will figure it out. And I really mean this when I say that travelling abroad 100% helped me in dealing with that fear. Hopefully it will also help me find a job but that is a whole other issue.

Anyways to end on the words of a much better writer:
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” ― Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad/Roughing It