So here we are finally starting to settle down here in Amman, Jordan. It was not at all what I had expected. I guess that I had this romantic notion of what the Middle East would look like. Contrary to popular belief, Amman is very modern. Of all places that I thought I could escape here in the Middle East there still is a Foot Locker. Ha – maybe I should see if I can get a job there!! The city is pretty clean and the bah-sheesh (tip) monster has disappeared. We actually had our first dinner with a Jordanian family. It was an interesting experience. We actually had to go to a part of town that we’re not really supposed to go to. Philip’s friend, Ahmed, came to take us to his familie’s house. I didn’t understand anything that was going on but Philip was having a really good time and I was able to get the gist of what everyone was talking about. We ate malubeh which is roasted chicken with wild rice, a pickled cucumber salad and a cheesy concoction which ranged between cottage cheese and buttermilk. It was extremely good. Afterwards we went to a local zoo there and mundane animals that we see all the time back home are considered exciting creatures in Jordan. We saw raccoons, dogs, quail and chickens. It was a very interesting experience. I am glad that we have made a friend. We also went to Wastel- Baled which is the center of town. There were some ancient Roman Ruins there. We were able to climb around everything and look at the whole city from that tallest point in town. Overall I think that I am going to like Jordan. There are still some kinks that I am trying to work out. There is a huge water shortage here and actually the first week that we lived here we had NO WATER for 5 days. Our apartment reaked of porta potties and 6 smelly adults. Yummy! Since then we have adopted the girls camp method of if it’s yellow leave it mellow etc and the husbands go and fill up water bottles when they go to school so we have a stock pile in case that situation should happen again. I am also learning to hand wash laundry (I think that by the end of the summer I will be a pro at this). I am also trying to learn how to entertain myself. I can’t go out without Philip or at least 3 women so it has been challenging to sit in the apartment all day watching Arabic tv and reading. I am hoping that once we get comfortable with everything here we will be able to find things for me to do and I will know what fun activities there are here. For now just know that we are doing well, our bowels have finally calmed down and we are enjoying learning and trying new things. We are going to the south this weekend because Jordan’s Independence Day is on Sunday so there are no classes. We will write again soon. We miss you all!!!