Visits to Amman’s Citadel and Roman Amphitheatre

One of the best things about spending a whole year in a country is that there’s no rush to do or see anything; that’s my excuse for taking a whole 2 months to actually visit 2 of the main tourist attractions – the Roman amphitheatre and the Citadel.

The Citadel is one of my favourite things about this city, especially at night, when you can see it sits lit up atop the hill, the Temple of Hercules visible from miles around. It reminds me where I am.

Ruins at the Citadel (Jabal al-Qala'a)

The Temple of Hercules, which can be seen from all around, especially after dark

The amphitheatre from the Citadel...

...And the Citadel (top left) from the amphitheatre

The theatre's steps are steep!!

But it's worth the climb to the top

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by jmdby on April 5, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Amman, Buildings, Lanscapes/views, Places, Uncategorized
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Posted by jmdby on April 5, 2012

http://easternescapades.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/visits-to-ammans-citadel-and-roman-amphitheatre/

Scenes from the Desert

During the holiday of Eid al-Adha we took a 5 day trip to the South of Jordan. After a 5am start and a 4-hour drive down the King’s Highway – possibly the only road where you see signs directing pilgrims, warning of camels and several teapots  - we arrived in a place that could be any number of miles from Amman: Wadi Rum.

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by jmdby on April 3, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Lanscapes/views, Places, Uncategorized
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Posted by jmdby on April 3, 2012

http://easternescapades.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/scenes-from-the-desert/

“Always Rushing; Never on Time”

It’s been a long time, I know – and I actually have a LOT of almost-ready posts just waiting to be published – but I couldn’t help writing after the brilliant class discussion we just had. It was about Jordanians’ habits and here are the top 5 that have repeatedly amused, shocked and confused me.

(Please note! I mean no offense whatsoever, these are probably things I will even miss, or which will at the very least make me smile when I think back to them)

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by jmdby on March 27, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Amman, Daily Life, People, Uncategorized

Posted by jmdby on March 27, 2012

http://easternescapades.wordpress.com/2012/03/27/always-rushing-never-on-time/

Maqloobeh: A First Attempt At Cooking

For the first time in my life I HAVE A KITCHEN! And it’s pretty much the best thing ever. 

Given that it took 2 days before we actually cooked, 4 hours to make our first meal and 6 of us to make it, our first attempt at cooking really went quite well. Not only was it a success, but we decided to dive straight in with a Middle Eastern dish, Maqloobeh.

The name literally means ‘upside-down’ and the dish is cooked in layers in a pot and then turned upside-down once cooked. It’s by far my favourite meal out here & I expect I’ll be trying to make it for everyone!

Above & Below: Frying the eggplants, cauliflower & potato
Frying the eggplant, potato and cauliflower is complete
The finished product in the pot…

...and 'upside-down' on the tray, ready to be eaten

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by jmdby on December 5, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Amman, Daily Life, Food & Drink
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Posted by jmdby on December 5, 2011

http://easternescapades.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/maqloobeh-a-first-attempt-at-cooking/

Sun, Sea and… Mud

Last Sunday, for the second time, we jumped in a taxi with little idea where we were going. Do you know which station the bus to the Dead Sea goes from? We asked the driver. He decided he did but suddenly changed his mind after we turned the first corner, so overtook the taxi the rest of the group were in to let him know he wanted him to pull over. Cue a 5-minute debate between the two drivers, ending in a dubious group decision to head for the South station with crossed fingers.

The Dead Sea – when we finally made it there

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by jmdby on October 23, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by jmdby on October 23, 2011

http://easternescapades.wordpress.com/2011/10/23/sun-sea-and-mud/

“Teacher, what’s your shoe size?”

The first day of school never goes by without a little madness. This is especially true when it’s also the first day at a new school and, as I found out today, even more so when you’re no longer the student.

I may be on the other side of staff room door now – which, in case you’re wondering, loses nearly all its magic when you’re actually allowed to be there – but my first day  feelings remained the same: worried the work would be hard, excited for a new beginning and desperately hoping to fit in.

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by jmdby on October 15, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Amman, Daily Life, Language, People, Teaching
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Posted by jmdby on October 15, 2011

http://easternescapades.wordpress.com/2011/10/15/teacher-whats-your-shoe-size/

Jerash: our first venture out of Amman

Since it’s now been over a week, I figured it was about time to share the photos!

We somehow managed to get in without going through the entrance, which we then had to find…

Some pretty rocks – you can just about make out different animals
The amphitheatres make a great rest stop for eating falafel sandwiches

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by jmdby on October 11, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Lanscapes/views, Places
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Posted by jmdby on October 11, 2011

http://easternescapades.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/jerash-our-first-venture-out-of-amman/

“Pain is temporary; Quitting is forever”

That’s the motto I’ve now adopted after seeing it on the gym wall.

Judging by some of the other ‘motivational quotes’ alongside it, mostly about pain and not smiling, you might think this is one hardcore gym. But don’t be fooled by the walls or even by the intensive programme they’ve got me on; gym culture here is a completely new experience.

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by jmdby on September 30, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Clothing, Daily Life, People

Posted by jmdby on September 30, 2011

http://easternescapades.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/pain-is-temporary-quitting-is-forever/

A Little Trip to Downtown Amman

The main street is home to shop after shop of colourful goods

Yesterday morning we took our first trip to the Downtown area, or al-balad as we say in Arabic.

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by jmdby on September 25, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Amman, Daily Life, Food & Drink, Places
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Posted by jmdby on September 25, 2011

http://easternescapades.wordpress.com/2011/09/25/a-little-trip-to-downtown-amman/

The Weird and Wonderful Sounds of Amman

It occured to me today how many unusual sounds we’re hearing on a daily basis and will probably not even notice soon. So while I definitely do still notice them, I thought I’d write a brief post on a few of the stranger ones.

The Fake Ice Cream Van

The one I absolutely have to mention first is a van that drives around, I believe selling gas. At least once or twice every hour one will drive past the academy or the house and you always know it’s around because of the male voice shouting into a megaphone. But the reason it’s starting to drive me a little bit insane is because it plays music. Not just any music but a cheerful little jingle similar to an ice cream van, which always causes a second of excitement before I remember where I am and the disappointment kicks in. Then, as soon as I’m getting over it, it happens all over again!

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by jmdby on September 21, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Amman, Daily Life, Morocco
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Posted by jmdby on September 21, 2011

http://easternescapades.wordpress.com/2011/09/21/the-weird-and-wonderful-sounds-of-amman/

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