Stephanie In Jordan: Embarrassment In Restaurant

Obama in Jordan

I am not trying to endorse any particular political view, although most of you probably know that I am an Obama supporter; however, I think many of you might be interested, regardless of political affiliations, that I beat Obama to the punch at both the Citadel and King Abdullah II's reception lounge! :)
Here's the link to an article about his trip here today:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080722/ap_on_re_mi_ea/obama

I was unable to go due to classes and no easily-found information; however, this is a similar view to what I posted a few weeks back.

Amman Shooting Update

Hey, I am having trouble finding the exact info on what happened here last night (internet connections have been bad in several different places today), but I just want to let you all know that the rest of the Miami group and I are OK. Was it even publicized in the States? From what I heard last night, a man was suicidal (in general, not religiously or politically motivated), and because suicide is not allowed in Islam (martyrdom is OK in certain, less popular, interpretations), he wanted to shoot others in hopes that the police would shoot and kill him.
The event occurred last night in Amman, near the Roman Theatre, where I took pics last Friday. It happened at 10:30--much later than we are normally out--and no particular group was targeted. Because there was a concert last night, and there were plenty of police around, I am guessing that this was the reason for the location for this particular goal.
Anyway, not to worry anyone if the news didn't make it to you, but since I don't know if it did, just want to assure you that we're OK. I think you can access the English language Jordan Times on the internet. I just can't get to it right now to provide a link.
Off to a Bedouin wedding today in a pretty new abaya, and then off to Wadi Rum and Aqaba tomorrow. Love you all!

Updates Soon!

Hello, all. I hope to have blog updates soon--in particular with the details and more pics of the FANTASTIC Dead Sea trip; however, due to an all-day fumigation in our apartments yesterday, I am a little behind schedule. (Ate the BEST baba ghannoush thus far, though, at a cafe we like near one of the gates to the University, while waiting for fumes to dissipate!) In addition, I start Qur'an and Classical Arabic private tutoring this evening--really excited!--so I will be busy this afternoon trying to finish the rest of my studying. Please bear with me!

Blog Entries at the End of this List

To no great surprise, this is still a work in progress. I am trying to move the blogs higher on the page, but I may have to delete the earlier non-blog entries (moving trucks, etc.) in order for the blogs to be closer.
Also, for those of you who have not heard, trying to get internet in our apartment has been a little harder than we thought. It's finally worked out, though, and I, at least, will be getting it in my room soon. Doesn't mean I won't be studying, but I can, at least, blog a little each day while eating or something! :)

Friday, August 1, 2008

Embarrassment In Restaurant

So, I know I am behind in my posts. (Have some notes on my computer, but the actual posts may have to wait until mid-August. Sorry, trying to milk the remainder of my time here for all it's worth!)
As a teaser, here's a story of Stephanie being stupid today. After wandering around some of the souqs (markets), I stopped for lunch at one of the restaurants in the old downtown area that is supposed to be pretty good (called Al-Quds or Jerusalem). The menu was all in Arabic, so I couldn't wait to see what I ordered. I opted not to order mansaf, the Jordanian specialty, since it is not a specialty throughout the Middle East, as far as I know. Instead I ordered the "pricier" chicken special. (Pricier being $1.00 not $0.45.) From the description of the ingredients, it looked like the dish I ate at my Jordanian friend's house last week. Instead, I ended up with essentially fried chicken, with peas, carrots, and french fries. What an American meal! As I was eating by myself, I was mortified to be eating such a non-traditional meal. Serves me right for not ordering mansaf...

3 comments:

Anonymous said...: Maybe they didn't intend it as an American-style meal and were impressed that you tried their best Jordanian-style fried chicken. :); August 2, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Stephanie said...: HA HA! i *hope* so! that makes me feel better, sarah! :); August 3, 2008 at 5:59 PM
Anonymous said...: I just saw you in somebody's Facebook album. You looked really blonde. Are you really blonde now?; August 11, 2008 at 7:06 PM

"Mother Palestine"

This was my favorite of all the AMAZING works I saw today. It was one of many depicting the sense of loss shared by many Palestinians; however, I think its simple sentimentality moved me more than the others because it portrays the fundamental feeling of love for Palestine as a motherland. Personally, I think that problems have developed on both sides of the Israel question; however, being here in Jordan has exposed me to more of the opinions of those Palestinians exiled from their home. Maybe because of the lack of violence in this painting, I, as a non-Palestinian, was able to understand Suleiman Mansour's more fully than some of the others depicting similar emotions.

"Frolicking Horses"

I wish I had taken one with the full frame--not the most artistic pic in the world. At the same time, I hope you can appreciate this fantastic painting. Some of Mustafa's other works are more clearly using Arabic calligraphy, but I liked the picture in this one the best. The horses are entirely composed of calligraphy. I just realized that I have seen his work previously at the Ackland Art Museum in Chapel Hill several years ago. I really liked his artwork then, too. Although I enjoy well-produced calligraphy, I love these creative images much more.

Palace Tour, Tomb of King Hussein

I *think* this is the tomb of King Hussein. He and his two predecessors are buried on the Palace grounds. (His son, Abdullah II, is the current king.) We toured the business palace, the non-residential palace. There was really high security--including fierce, never-smiling soldiers with automatic weapons...and two cute labs, Maddie-like and Daisy-like, who sniffed out our bus for explosives! We were not allowed to take pictures for most of the tour. Since one of the younger girls actually got her camera back, after the guards initially confiscated it, though, she did get a group shot of all of us. We just have to get the pics. For now, this is what I have. Although it was solemn in the cemetery and on the grounds, it was an honor to be there. I also impressed an imam for my reasons for studying Arabic and Islamic history, thanks to Saleh's translations between us. Finally, before I eventually post some more substantial stuff (after my Tuesday mid-terms!), the gardens smelled wonderful due to rosemary and thyme bushes! Because there are such limited water resources, when people here create gardens, they take great care to please all your senses. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL grounds! (And the rosemary smell reminded me of home! :) )

Eating at Jabri

Jabri is a restaurant that started as a whole in the wall in Amman and branched out to several locations. They are known for good Middle Eastern food and sweets. We ate there after the palace tour. I had mansif, the traditional Jordanian lamb dish, which my professor convinced me to eat with my hands--hence the mess! It was really good, and so was the raspberry mousse layered dessert I shared afterwards with Lauren! I forgot to take a pic, which is unfortunate, because it was so pretty. I brought home some kunafa to try finally (a traditional dessert found all over here with different variations, often including cheese and honeyed syrups). Had some yesterday, and it's really tasty!

Jerash Concert

As part of the Jordan 2008 Festival (http://www.visitjordan.com/jordanfestival/8th_ABDALLAT.htm), the city of Jerash held a concert on the 8th that I attended with some Miami folks, my Miami prof, and one of our Language Center admins. The concert included performances by Elissa, Omar al-Abdullat, and George Wassout. [HEY! I just thought in Arabic first for the first time since I have been here! Thought "wa" (and) instead of "and" as I was typing!] AMAZING experience that I will recount later. (Since Sarah is probably the only one who might comment on this: Sorry for being so delinquent, Sarah! Is it OK that I am such because I am studying?!) In the meantime, imagine this Roman ampitheatre ruin even more packed with people, all enthusiastic for the music and dancing! I have videos that I will try to send, too. One of the coolest concerts I have ever seen!

Jabal Amman

Here I am in Jabal Amman--one of the many hills in Amman--on Thursday night past. I ate with my roommate and a small group before meeting the rest at a cheesy bookstore/overpriced restaurant/bar (of all things). The bookstore was the best part. Bought a book by a Jordanian woman writer, whom I had the pleasure of hearing speak that same day, Leila Al-Atrash. Also found a Saudi novel by another woman writer--heard about that one at the Marketing Muslim Women Conference at Duke in April. Now, I only have to learn enough Arabic to read it!

Cool Minaret Pic

On my walk around the university, which was not an easy task (more later), I saw this mosque. I really liked the reflection of the minaret in the windows of one of the student dorms. Like my love of Gotland (Swedish island where Molly lived her first year in Sweden that had hundreds of medieval churches dotting its landscape), I love having so many mosques around. Some look similar, but there are many that are so unusual! I love the Andalusian one that I posted before, and I saw one last night that looks like the mosque in Cordoba, Spain, also from Andalusian period.

City Mall & Carrefour

Here's where I went after Mecca Mall, because I had not been here yet. Again, mostly to see what was available, I was glad I went. It took 45 minutes to get there, because I could not find a direct walking route from Mecca Mall on top of the hill, but it was an interesting walk through what seemed to be a ritzy neighborhood. I was also able to find a second movie theatre playing American summer flicks--Mecca Mall also has one. (I saw THE HAPPENING. OK, not great. Made me jump, which is ALWAYS good.) Carrefour is a French, Wal-Mart-type store that has everything. Food is cheaper here than Safeway, and the cab ride's about the same. Sorry, Safeway!