it was a grand stay

Literally… the name of our hotel was “Grand Stay.” We had an amazing week. My brother asked last night, “What do you tell people when they ask, ‘So what was it like.’” And while the taxis and traffic and buildings and food and language and culture have no comparison in the United States, it is nothing like the stereotypes or what you see on the news.

I connected with my family. I drank gallons of tea. I witnessed my father’s religion first hand. I saw the death of a dictator in the midst of his exiled people. I visited ancient ruins. And in a sense, I came as close to my father’s homeland as I’ve ever been, because Jordan is next to Iraq… and like all the Middle Eastern countries it is a made up nation state drawn from arbitrary lines that did not exist when my uncle here was born (thanks to the broken promises of the British and French).

And I met so many fascinating people: The Palestinian man at the front desk who had to come to Jordan because of his treatment at the hands of the Israelis (we talked for hours when I couldn’t sleep one night as the television downstairs broadcast live images from the Haij). The Sunni cab driver who didn’t like Shiites (he criticized us more for being Iraqi and less for being American… kinda throws a wrench into the notion of all Muslims being united in terror against the United States). The blind female beggar covered in all black. The calls to prayer from the mosques and the “Happy Eid” from my family as we kissed each others cheeks three times each (three times is for family or close friends).

Yes indeed, it was grand. We’re off to Jerusalem today. We’ll be there for three weeks on a study abroad trip. I don’t know when I’ll be able to get online again, or how good the service will be. But until then, Salaam… Shalom… Peace.

Ramsey and I buying shii (tea) across from the mosque next to our building as we head out for our daily trek through the city. The man was so nice and he refused to let us pay, but we forced him to take our money.

Ramsey and Noor in the snow on the way to Petra

Trying to fiqure out how to work our washing machine.

Ramsey addressing his followers at the Roman amphitheater. Amman is the ancient city of Philadelphia.

Jenn and my cousins. Tara (the one Jenn is holding) looked at Jenn one day and said, "I'm glad you married Omar." Me too.