Not much to report from the first day - I arrived in the evening, got settled in, and slept. The next day I navigated a rather unhelpful map to arrive at Qasid (my language school) and my orientation. Nothing exciting there, except that we took placement exams. These were rather discouraging to me, as I quickly realized how much I do not know. Perhaps I'll be in level 2, not 3! If so, I'll cross that disappointment bridge when I get there.
The excitement of the day was my first grocery shopping trip. It was nothing too overwhelming - most of the products are in English as well as Arabic, so I made my way quite well. What wasn't in Arabic was the "puding"! It was in some language I didn't recognize, and, although I rather wanted to purchase some for comfort snacking later, I decided that would have to wait until I could read the instructions. I bought some Jordanian nutella instead (the original brand was a full 2JD (about $3) more than the Jordanian brand! And that was all I had for dinner last night - nutella on pita.
I was so tired (and depressed, I think, from the exam - and perhaps just in need of some serious rest from my whirlwind last few days) that I convinced myself a quick nap at 5 pm was a good idea. It wasn't. I did not emerge (except to use the restroom, fix another half a pita of nutella at 7, and brush my teeth at 11) until 6 am. I didn't sleep the entire time, but almost! I read for perhaps a couple of hours, and that was it!
Ah well.
Today was much more exciting. We took a bus (ugh! I have to find a way to get over this motion sickness thing!) to Ajloun. Never heard of it? Well, neither had I. But it's a fantastic place! Built over a Byzantine era church, the fortress was constructed by Saladin's nephew in 1184-85 to protect from Crusader attacks. The Byzantine church celebrated the miracle of the loaves and fishes (Jesus traditionally came to this mountain afterward), and a few mosaics of the church were discovered 10 years ago. The castle sits atop a high mountain, from which you can see into Israel/Palestine, Lebanon and Syria. You can see Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Mount Nebo, Mount Hermon, the West Bank, and the Dead Sea. It is incredible. This time of year, although it was quite cold today, and even a bit rainy, the landscape is lovely: full of wild flowers and greenery. Various photos to follow.
On the way back, my stomach gave up the fight and spewed out what was left of my breakfast (thank goodness the bus had a restroom! It was tiny, and I didn't manage to keep it all off my jacket, but so grateful to have it!). But lunch and some minty lemonade did much to quell the turbulence in my middle section. It was a fantastic lunch! All the delicious pita and hummus (in addition to various other dips), various salads and french fries one could eat; then a huge plate of roasted chicken, beef, and kebab alongside more french fries, a roasted onion and tomato. I drank three small cups of mint tea before we headed out, and made it home without further incident (although, before I closed my eyes and gave up viewing the countryside, I nearly lost it again).
One unexpected delight throughout the day was our Qasid guide, Nidhal. He is apparently a local singer, and entertained us with Arabic singing - on the bus, in the Ajloun ruins, and at the restaurant. He was a lot of fun.
Today I am beginning a review of vocabulary, and a list of new things I need to know to get around. Let the language acquisition begin!
My much-nicer-than-expected apartment: queen-sized bed (I may request to be transferred to the other, smaller room - I don't need this big a bed or room, and the other room is not in use - I think they just want to be able to charge more); huge wardrobe and balcony. You can see the view from my balcony, looking straight out, as well as up the street. Also, here is my nice Russian (and fully fluent in both English and Arabic!) roommate, Daria.
Ajloun castle. Notice the mote (never really a "wet" mote, since this land does not receive enough water to create a river) and the drawbridge (now permanent); slits for shooting arrows; the amazing view of the countryside looking out of the slits (I'm sure they have a name - anyone?); the steep (and rather smooth and wet) stairs leading to the top of the fortress, from which you see such amazing view, and encounter a very chilly wind; the Byzantine mosaic of loaves and fishes; the video of Nadhil singing (both in the castle and in the restaurant); and the catapult stones.
I encountered this little advertisement on my walk home. I had to chuckle - note that these lessons are almost free.
No comments:
Post a Comment