This is Leah and Jackie, we're writing from our room in the Red Rose Hotel. This morning we had breakfast at 9 at Lima's, a cafe connected to the hotel. It was almost like we were back in the US, they had waffles, omelets, pancakes, french toast, etc., and the radio station was playing Green Day and other songs we knew. Then we explored the blocks around our hotel, saw some nice backyard gardens and a mosque, also a playground that we stopped in for awhile. Don't worry, between Eric and Spud, we will have photo and video documentation of almost everywhere we've been if you all are curious. We're finding it hard to blend in (except Sean with his specially requested Jordanian haircut and contacts - yay Sean) with all the cameras and our similar outfits! Afterwards we headed to the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature's "Wild Jordan" nature center. We heard a talk by one of the employees about some of the environmental problems in Jordan and what the RSCN is doing to help, mostly they are working in the ecotourism sector. We had lunch in their cafe, of course tons of food again, and the view was spectacular. They are way high up overlooking Amman. You could see the city for miles. We got to hear one of the calls to prayer being broadcasted over the city as well. Next we went to the "Mecca Mall" and walked around for an hour, Sean got the Jordanian phone he was looking for ... we enjoyed hearing him converse with sales people and our police bodyguard (Yes parents, you don't have to worry, we have our own personal "Tourist Policeman" who accompanies us.) We were surprised by the number of American stores and clothing, also we noticed the differences in people's dress - some women had full Islamic garb on, some had just a head scarf, and some were dressed like us. Our tour guide, Raed, explained that it's a free country and people can follow traditional dress as much or little as they choose. We're finding it easy to get around because there is so much English spoken and written everywhere, especially in the mall. Finally we headed back to our hotel, and are eating dinner at 7. The weather was probably high-80s and very sunny. Apparently they've had a very cold spring here, which is unusual.
Mosque near our hotel
Lunch at Wild Jordan
Our view during lunch!
2 comments:
I remember it being hard to blend in even in Europe; I can only imagine how difficult that must be in Jordan! I suppose it's made easier by the fact that, as you've observed, Jordan is a free country, with a range of dress and language.
It seems as though you are treated to plenty of good food wherever you go. Is that a Jordanian or generally Middle Eastern thing? I've never associated a bounty of food with that region. Have you gotten a sense of whether that is mostly special treatment and hospitality for you all as tourists (eco-tourists?), or if everyday citizens have that bounty as well?
What are the main environmental problems that RSCN focuses on? Or course, you guys are there for soils-related issues, but are they especially conscious of say, greenhouse gas emissions, or water use and quality, or endangered species?
Ok, I can finally leave a comment after several days of setting up an account! Keith is WAY ahead of me on intellectual comments, so I will ask the next obvious question, how was the mall?? Spud's mom!
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