It's July. Wow. As for work, Talal and I have moved on to an interesting new project, writing a proposal for a competitive grant that gives the recipient 30,000 JD ($45,000) for projects related to "The Learning Enhancement of Jordan's Women." As of right now, we are creating a proposal that incorporates the work already in place by the BCEE to include the local community of Umm il-Quattyn in the running of the ecological center, including a community workshop where traditional wears and handicrafts are created and then sold. We will see how it goes; the proposal is due at the end of the month. During the past week, a group of American students studying in Jordan through SIT for the summer visited Safawi, and I was lucky enough to accompany them to the Azraq Wetland Reserve. For centuries, the oasis has been a stopping point for travels moving between Africa, Asia and Europe, but unfortunately the water of the oasis has been irrigated away to the point that only 10% of the original wetlands remain. Now, they are protected but the damage has been done. Still, it was nice to see the remains of the area, and it was the largest amount of green I have seen in quite a while.
World Cup fever in Jordan has reached epic proportions. At the end of each game, the supporters of the victorious side will joy ride through Amman, honking and proudly waving the flag of their team. This is how I found out the results of both the Germany-Argentina game and the Holland-Brazil match. To make matters even more interesting, Sam left on Friday for South Africa to see a quarter-final, semi-final and the final game with his dad. Of course, this caused for due celebration (like we really needed another excuse to go out), and so Sam, Leen, Dana, Aysha and I went to dinner at a hotel that served food from the two restaurants found inside, one Japanese and one Italian. An interesting combination. My original plans for the next day were to go on a tour of Jerash, Umm Qais and Ajloun Castle, but unfortunately my tour was canceled due to lack of attendance. Luckily for me, Dana and Leen hadn't been to Jerash in quite some time, so we made plans to see the Roman ruins on Saturday. Having an entirely free Friday, Aysha, Leen, Sam and I tooled around Amman. Having my phone lost/stolen in a cab on the way to Leen's, I had to pick up a new one (luckily my number and credit transferred) and then the four of us cruised Amman in Aysha's convertible Peugeot. Tiniest. Car. Ever. But fun nonetheless. I also had the best sticky toffee pudding of my life, and saw Toy Story 3.
Despite the incredible heat at Jerash, we felt like we were cooking, the Roman ruins were ridiculously impressive. After taking in a reenactment of Roman battle formations, gladiator battles and a chariot race, Leen, Dana and I walked among the endless rows of pillars, incidentally patterned much like the scene from Hercules in which Hercules destroys the ancient Greek town (yes that's my point of reference). We eventually reached a Roman amphitheater used by the local Roman Senate that has acoustics that magnify all that is spoken on the stage. Pretty amazing. Later that day, I was able to attend Mass at St. Mary's and then interview Father Kevin, who gave me quite an interesting insight into life as a Catholic in Amman. Then, in my final hours in Amman I was treated to the best shawarma in the city, and boy was it delicious. Now, back at Safawi, I find myself planning my coming week once again. I think that I will try and attend church at the Anglican parish that is active in Amman to get another perspective of life as a Christian in Amman. We shall see.
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