Friday, June 25, 2010

المدينة جرش

اليوم جمل في جرش. هذا بلد روماني قديم مع اثار. انا ذهبت من بيتي في الساعة الأثنى عشر و نصف وذهبت بباص إلى صويلح, مدينة قريبة من الفحيص. هنا سائق الباص قال لي خذ سرفيس, هذا سيارة مثل التكسي لكن ارخص. وجدت سائق سرفيس اسمه مالك. هذا رجل لطيف جدا. هو أخذني إلى جرش, للأثار القديمة, لأكل, إلى حلق لقص شعري, لشرب قهوه, وعدنا إلى صويلح, كل شيء ب 25 دينار, هذا يعني 35 دولار للقص, والطعام, والقيادة. الطعام هناك في جرش كان لذيذ جدا. أكلت سندويتش دجاج وخروف, هم مثل بوريتوس في نيو مكسيكو. انا اخفت رقم مالك ونحن سوف نذهب للتسوق هذا الاسبوع. والان انا أشرب القهوة التركية الذيذة وأكتب هذا لك. سلام



اثار قديم


بوابية اسمها عمان


تحت القوس وفي حلبة سباق الحصن


على طريق العودة للبيت


أضا على طريق العودة للبيت











Thursday, June 24, 2010

Past Few Days

The past few days have been nice. The language barrier is more evident some times than others. My host family speaks excellent English, so it's always easy to communicate here. They teach me Arabic in little bits here and there, and my host sister always tries to engage me in Arabic conversation and is very patient with me. Today my host mother also gave me an Arabic lesson, which helped me out when I went to the store.

One thing that was so surprising to me was how helpful everyone is here. Like today, I was waiting on the side of the road so I could flag down a bus, and a guy about 18 years old comes up to me and starts talking to me in Arabic. I never saw him before, but that didn't stop him from going on the bus with me and helping me find what I needed in the town, and then introducing me to his friend. He didn't speak a word of English, so that Arabic lesson was put to good use. Everyone has been like that here, very kind, loving, and helpful.

I have met a new friend who lives in a town only 5 min. away from me by bus. His name is Yousif. I've been spending a lot of time with him and his family lately. He has a lot cousins and uncles, and I try to practice my Arabic when I am with them. They also like me to help them with their English. Yesterday they made Mansaf for me, a transitional Arabic dish made with meat and rice. It was fun eating it, because it's traditionally eaten with your bare hand. We also went to their farm where they are building a house.


My host sister Rawan and her husband Saif.


Sunset at the farm.


A view from the farm.


A sign on the street.


Me eating Mensaf. :P


My friend Yousif with his dad and grandma, she's 100 years old.


A garden they have.


Some of my new friends.