Hello world, This is my first blog post!
Feeling a tad like Ms. Carrie Bradshaw as I it in my room, smoking, and trying to type fast enough to keep up with my racing mind. Well my journey began almost a week ago. I departed Chicago for D.C. where I had a lovely last hurrah with Kaitlin. Then to NYC where I spent two much needed days with friends and family. After a 12+ hours flight to Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. I had an entire night to chill in the airport. I actually enjoyed that time. I reflected on my last days in America and began to ponder my soon-to-be life in Jordan. By the way, the Abu Dhabi airport is gorgeous! And I would recommend all to go, even if just on a layover haha. Blue and yellow tiles covered the walls floor to ceiling, architecture like none I had ever seen. After being asked by fellow tourists if they could take my picture (apparently I stand out everywhere) and letting a tiny Croatian girl try on my size 10 moccasins in a hope they would fit her and she could buy them off me, which didn't happen...I was back on a plane to my final destination!
Hmmm, well first of all mad props to AIESEC Jordan! After hearing many stories of failed reception, but trying to keep a positive attitude it was a calm breeze to coast through customs, and see @ers waiting for me. As we drove to Amman, the capital city, I was shocked by the lack of grass and immense amount familiar restaurants (Pizza Hut, Hardees, and KFCs galore). I then went to the MC flat in Amman before heading to Irbid where I will be living and working for the next 6 months.
After contemplating my choices of living situations for no joke 2 hours; Option #1 - An all female dorm with a curfew, bunking with an @er, my own bedroom, and basically the same perks of living situation in Madison or option #2 - Living alone (at least for the first few months), paying almost double,but a brand new apartment though...my selling point came down to a microwave ha and internet access, how materialistic of me. But after spending just a few short hours in the dorm I realize it should have been a no-brainer. Live with @ers or live alone...obvious choice be with AIESECers, duh! And my rent is only 122 JD/month, score!
After dropping my bags I went to the Irbid Mall. Well more like a Jordanian Super Target then any mall in America. Complete with groceries (some familiar like Coco-cola and Doritos but most were completely foreign), home appliances, toys, and clothing. After shopping it was time to partake in the daily hookah session. And by daily, I mean AT LEAST once a day. Btw, its Nagila here, not hookah, not shisha. Praise allah for Hala, fellow @er, new friend and dorm neighbor.
I slept for the next 16 hours straight minus the times I woke up to the annoyance of Rooster crows. Spent the day hanging around the apartment, smoking nagila, and learning key Jordanian Arabic phrases - like my address, directions, and names of foods and utensils. And although I took Arabic for one semester - almost a year ago...the rumors are true! Al Kitab will only get you so far, seeing as how like no one in the world speaks the modern standard form.
Tomorrow is my first day of work. I will not be teaching yet, insha'allah because I'm not prepared...hopefully just getting introduced to the job, meeting colleagues, receiving training and so on. But LCM with @Irbid on Saturday which should be great. I have been given the opportunity to introduce myself to the LC so I am going to make a slideshow. Can't wait to meet everyone here. Pictures and more blog posts soon.
Ma'salama.
