What a long day today! We went to the University for our Language Lessons.. then
Stuart Smith talked to us about bible archeology because tomorrow we are leaving on
a 4 day trip to Aquaba and Petra and the Dana Reserve. We will actually see some
"'biblical sights"and some ancient cities. There will be a 5 hour hike..but oh, darn
I won't be going with that group. I'll be on the mini tour and shopping. There is
an opportunity in the Dana Reserve to sleep under the stars on a rooftop, but mm
passing on that.
After the University we stopped for lunch. Today I had falfel and hummus for
breakfast, and guess what for lunch? That's right falafel and hummos. I did get
in some mini-shopping and picked up a couple pairs of shoes. From there we went
into East Jordan to meet some Iraqi families and the women that we (I) am going to
tutor. Iraqi's are allowed into Jordan but they cannot work here, legally. They
also cannot attend school here. They are in a difficult state as they are not
recoginized as REFUGEES because there is a "DEMORCRACY"" in Iraqi! The Jordan
gov, as of september, will allow Iraqi's to attend private school.
The Jordainian goverment is a ruling Monarcy. They walk a delicate line with the
US as they depend on the US for a lot of aid. Jordan has almost no resources and
very little water. ( Have I told you about my shower?) On the other hand they don't
have BIG GREEN lawns and toilets flush with cups of water rather than GALLONS!!! NGO's, and several churches are here now and going through the long process of
getting government approval.
We also visited The Queen Zein Al Sharaf school and center. They are doing wonderful things with their KG (kindergarten program) It reminds me of when I taught,
elementary in LA? Richmond.. teacher created materials etc. No talk about standards,
benchmarks etc and NO Houghton Mifflin, scripted etc. They also have a lot of
Montessori type activities.. (the work of children is play). I was very impressed
by the school and the teachers.
We started our day at 8:30 and didn't get back to the hotel unitl 7pm! "Last night
we had gone to the MECCA MALL and I had bought a little dress so I went back to
get it tonight. Unfortunetly, last night, they told me the Mall closed at Midnight
so we didn't get there till 9:40, but the stores close at 10 and the resturants at 12 , 20 min is NOT enough time for me. So
I took a taxi and got there at 7:30 tonight. They closed the Mall with me in it.
Fortunely, I had arranged for the taxi to meet me at 10. I am now in my home away
from home, the Kapinski, where they have brought me a pepsi light and I am going to
try and download some photos love to all. Jordan is a great country and all the people are so wonderful!!! Very safe and sane!
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1 comment:
I am so proud of your findings. I guess no one can convince you that its worth seeing the stars....at least that before the hike! Come on Mama, you can do it! I would love to sleep under the stars in Jordan...but to each there own is the saying! I am sad about your camera. Maybe you should by diposables for your own albums? Or not. Hope you can share pictures with your peoples. Dont stress the small stuff and I cant wait to hear about your expedition. Love you!
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