Well, first of all, it's good to see that hitting the snooze button in Jordan has the same effect it does in the States...it's 11:00 right now. I didn't quite sleep all the way to 11...but...this was our first day of freedom (nothing scheduled) and it's good to see that some habits - like not waking up if there isn't something pressing to do - have survived the 5,000 mile trip.
Perhaps the most obvious update I have for everyone is that I have internet! We moved into the apartments, with a few minor discrepancies, they are very nice; much more spacious than AU's Nebraska Hall to be sure. A nice kitchen with a fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop, sink, water cooler (because you can't drink the tap water here), and washing machine (apparently they go in the kitchen in Jordan); plenty of cups and plates and such; a nice living area with a kitchen table, coffee table, two couches and two arm chairs (and a tv with a satellite box); a bathroom, and two bedrooms.
The very first night we were in the apartments, some of the CIEE people who are year long students took us around the area to show us where the stores and restaurants were, then they took us out to a nice little falafel place for dinner. Delicious. The next day we had to get our selves to the UJ campus at 8:30am. We left about 7:40am, grabbed a taxi without too much trouble and got to the Main Gate of the University of Jordan with enough time to grab coffee and a bite to eat. There's this place called Gloria Jean's in the same complex as the CIEE Study Center... it cost me 4.35JD for a small mocha latte and a muffin! I'm discovering here that food is definitely cheaper; especially if you know where to go. The night the year longs took us for falafel, there were seven of us, and we ordered 30 falafel, two fuul, and three (or was it four?) huumus and it was less than 15JD.
At the University we spent the day running around the different CIEE info sessions, in some cases getting horribly lost on campus. At least we're getting lost before classes begin, so maybe once they do, we'll know where to go? That's my hope. But it is a big school, more like College Park than American. Yesterday was most certainly an information overload. We picked trips, talked about visa's, got our class schedules, discussed peer tutoring and volunteering opportunities, and so much more. I am excited to say that I did get into all of the classes I wanted! Hurrah! The long and grueling proficiency test placed me exactly where I wanted to be - Intermediate II. Apparently my speaking skill is Novice High. :-)
After the busy day at the University, I went to the Zain store with a bunch of other CIEE people and we all got internet. Zain is the dominant cell phone provider in Amman, and they have USB modems that connect to the 3G network for mobile internet - just stick it in your computer and go. You buy however many GBs you want, and they last you for a month. It's 6JD per GB, which I find reasonable enough.
Once internet was taken care of, we wanted dinner. First, we walked all the way from the Main Gate of the University to the North gate, but didn't find anything that looked appetizing. Then we walked all the way back to the Main Gate, and across the street and down to the CIEE Study Center, to wait for two more girls who had been in a 5:00pm Internship Session. When we were all finally together, it still took us awhile to make a decision, but we settled on a place called Abu Jabra (ابو جبرة), a choose-your-own-topping Falafel place.
For the first time, we all had to order completely in Arabic. I'm so glad we had Maggy with us (she is Egyptian and speaks colloquial fluently) because ordering from a restaurant in Arabic, when you barely know the names of the foods in Arabic... it will continue to be a challenge; though I'm sure I'll pick it up quickly.
Today I'm just sort of hanging out; might get some groceries (there is currently a twix, a bag of reese's, nescafe, and water in my apartment....) will probably do something adventurous later tonight with the other girls. Or not, who knows. It has been a well earned day of relaxation.
Until next time!
!صباح الخير
Perhaps the most obvious update I have for everyone is that I have internet! We moved into the apartments, with a few minor discrepancies, they are very nice; much more spacious than AU's Nebraska Hall to be sure. A nice kitchen with a fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop, sink, water cooler (because you can't drink the tap water here), and washing machine (apparently they go in the kitchen in Jordan); plenty of cups and plates and such; a nice living area with a kitchen table, coffee table, two couches and two arm chairs (and a tv with a satellite box); a bathroom, and two bedrooms.
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| Yay Internet! |
At the University we spent the day running around the different CIEE info sessions, in some cases getting horribly lost on campus. At least we're getting lost before classes begin, so maybe once they do, we'll know where to go? That's my hope. But it is a big school, more like College Park than American. Yesterday was most certainly an information overload. We picked trips, talked about visa's, got our class schedules, discussed peer tutoring and volunteering opportunities, and so much more. I am excited to say that I did get into all of the classes I wanted! Hurrah! The long and grueling proficiency test placed me exactly where I wanted to be - Intermediate II. Apparently my speaking skill is Novice High. :-)
After the busy day at the University, I went to the Zain store with a bunch of other CIEE people and we all got internet. Zain is the dominant cell phone provider in Amman, and they have USB modems that connect to the 3G network for mobile internet - just stick it in your computer and go. You buy however many GBs you want, and they last you for a month. It's 6JD per GB, which I find reasonable enough.
Once internet was taken care of, we wanted dinner. First, we walked all the way from the Main Gate of the University to the North gate, but didn't find anything that looked appetizing. Then we walked all the way back to the Main Gate, and across the street and down to the CIEE Study Center, to wait for two more girls who had been in a 5:00pm Internship Session. When we were all finally together, it still took us awhile to make a decision, but we settled on a place called Abu Jabra (ابو جبرة), a choose-your-own-topping Falafel place.
For the first time, we all had to order completely in Arabic. I'm so glad we had Maggy with us (she is Egyptian and speaks colloquial fluently) because ordering from a restaurant in Arabic, when you barely know the names of the foods in Arabic... it will continue to be a challenge; though I'm sure I'll pick it up quickly.
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| Falafel Sandwich! Yum! |
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| Us at the University Of Jordan North Gate |
Until next time!
!صباح الخير
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