Raseifa...Its like Tijuana. Enough Said.

This was looking out over the country side of Raseifa

Seeing as how it is that time of week again, where there isn't any pressing assignments or things to be studied, I figured I would write another post for people to read. As a bit of a background, I've decided that first it is important to understand a few things about Jordan. In case I didn't say this already, and even if I did it serves telling it again; it is that Jordan for all intents and purposes to me is a mixture of Utah and Mexico. Here are a list of the reasons:

UTAH AND JORDAN
Both are located in desert climates
Both have a colder northern area, and a hot dry area to the south
Both have red soil in abundance, which also tends to be located within the south
Both are heavily populated with overly religious people, who love their God (though minorities do exist)
Both have a dead sea (Salt Lake and Dead Sea) connected by a dirty river called the river Jordan which has its head waters located in a living lake (Utah Lake and Sea of Galilee).
The weather is only moderately hot in the summer, and surprisingly comfortable in the winter.
Both take about 6 hours to drive from the north to the south of the area.


MEXICO i.e. Mexicans and their Culture AND JORDAN
Both will help a brother out even if they hate your guts, because they have to save face.
Both insist that there is always more food than can possibly be consumed at parties, dinners, and of course on your plate.
Both love to just sit there and talk for hours and hours and hours and hours.
If you don't contact friends and family regularly, i.e. almost daily, then it is assumed you must be angry at them.
It is better to say yes, and then not do it, than to say no and be telling the truth.
Food incorporates hands, lots of meat and rice, and flat bread.
They are Brown, and surprisingly there are lots of White ones mixed in there too.
They love to drive by slowly in their supped up cars and rev their engines to look cool. (That's how I really figured out that Latins are from ME descent).

Best Fake Tree Ever

Anyways with that said let me tell you about Raseifa, and why I happened to go there. Last Friday, I ended up going there with my friend Sami al-Jamal who is part of my Arabic program, even though he is Arab, along with Jenni Boyle, and Garret Root. Essentially, Sami grew up in Raseifa when he was little, before he moved to America with his mom, who is American. As a result we went to go and visit his Aunt and Uncle as well as to see where he grew up. It was kinda like a returning to roots trip for him. The trip was rather interesting and full of all sorts of adventures.

The first problem we encountered was trying to find a bus out to the city to begin with. Normally, it is really easy to find a bus, however, seeing as how it was Friday, the holy day for Muslims, basically none of the normal buses were running. So after a few taxi trips, several phone calls to Sami's Uncle, and about 6 JD later we finally took a Taxi all the way out to the city. When we arrived there, Sami basically told us that Raseifa was a crap hole and just a dirty nasty city. To which I say...I agree, somewhat. It reminded me of Tijuana, and my trip there prior to my senior year with a "group of youth and their fathers," since the church doesn't allow "Church" trips outside of the state to occur. Basically, as you looked down the streets you saw lots of dirt, lots of garbage, lots of graffiti, and lots of sewage. Additionally, you smelt lots of sewage, raw sun baked expired garbage, and dogs (which is actually the only place I have seen any stray dogs in the whole country, since everywhere else it is just cats).

Jenni and Garret

Ma'loubeh

Our first stop after arriving in Raseifa was to visit Sami's father house, which at the time was being occupied by someone else...since his father is in one of the Gulf states at the moment. Then from there we hopped in his uncle's car and drove up the road to his Aunt and Uncle's home, where we met his cousins and were served Ma'loubeh, made by his aunt. I have to say that was by far the best meal I have had the entire time I have been in Jordan, and probably the most substantial one yet. Ma'loubeh is basically a rice, chicken, onion, and few other things dish. Basically they cook all the stuff separate from the chicken, and then they flip it over on top of the chicken and then serve it on a giant platter. It is basically what it looks like...golden deliciousness.

This is one of the trucks used for transporting water all over Jordan

This is also a Water Truck

Took this from a moving car, as we made a U-Turn, was pretty happy with the results

Sami at his Grandmother's Grave, Posing with his G-Ma

Muslims are buried above ground

Following dinner, conversation started between Sami and his family, along with Jenni pitching in while Garret and I basically sat back and watched. I personally felt no need to force myself into a family discussion, and seeing as how this was for Sami to visit his family, I saw no reason to jump in. After some conversation, Sami and his Uncle decided that they were gonna go and see where Sami's grandmother was buried, so we went along for the ride, after which, we then toured through the rest of the city. I'm pretty sure that Sami's uncle was determined to show Sami that Raseifa was not just some ghetto city on the outskirts of Amman, but rather, that it was a beautiful countryside city. Essentially, we were taken all over the city, through alleys, up on the hill side, and look out points, all to help show Sami that Raseifa was not the crap hole that he believed it to be. After all was said and done, I would have to say that I decided that there were some things that were really nice about the city, despite all of the uninviting nuances of the city.

Life in Springville

It has almost been 6 weeks since I moved in with the Juarez, who practically are family.   They have been so wonderful and sweet.  Norma and Alex have all girls and they call me "tia." The eldest, decided to give up her room, so I would be more comfortable.  This is just one example of the many ways they show me they love us (baby and I).
 So the room I sleep in is very PINK!  with a pink chair and rugs and it is so girly.  It is a cute room that is perfect for my niece, but I'm not so sure about me.

So what has happened since my last post:

-new baby purchases
-Surprise Baby shower from my ZUMBA ladies
-Governer's Health Summitt Panelist
-General Conference and spending time with family
-zumba toning
-birthday parties

-lots of movement from our little boy

For those of you wondering, I have had a very easy pregnancy so far.  I didn't get much morning sickness,  I feel pretty good, I am still sleeping ok. I am still doing Zumba ®, and working.  I don't have any particular cravings, although I wish I did sometimes.  It would be easier to know what to eat.  He is growing for sure and making sure mom is aware of him.  He loves the right side of my belly and I'm just waiting to see his hand or feet pushing against my stomach.  In all I love having him inside me and keeping me company while daddy is away.  We can't wait for him to get home, especially if he is bringing us gifts.

Salt (Not to be confused with the table kind)

As a month has finally passed since my arrival in Jordan, well technically about five weeks, I decided it was time to extend my borders a little. Thus, when I heard that our director Dil and his wife were doing a trip out to Salt I decided that this might be a good opportunity to get out and see some new things. As a result last Saturday morning I woke up early and headed over to Dil's place to meet up with a group of students from my program to head out to Salt.

Now, I know you are all wondering what Salt is, and no, it isn't the table kind that you are all thinking. Also, it isn't a salt flat either, like in Utah. In fact the name has nothing to do with the lovely seasoning that we all love so much. In fact, I'm positive if you tried to put it on your table or food, you would have a rather difficult time. Rather, Salt is the old capital of Jordan, and a rather historical city. It is located somewhat North and West of Amman, and is considered a relatively poor city. From what I understand about the city, it is built on three hills/plateaus which all face each other creating a really interesting topography. Anciently it was centered on the trade routes and roads that connected Amman and Jerusalem. Later, it became the home of the first King of Jordan, King Abdullah I, whose home has become a museum in Jordan. However, it later lost its right as the capital when Prince Abdulla II moved his headquarters to Amman. The city however, has a full history of: tradition, archeology, trade, and agriculture. The population of the city today is somewhere around 97,000 people, so similar to the area of Orem or Provo.

Since the trip didn't involve much more than walking around the city I have decided to simply show the pictures of the trip and include a few captions concerning what things are.

Many of the homes within the city are extremely old, and the trail that we followed took us by many of the homes that have probably been there for more than several hundred years. However, many of the homes were in such disrepair that all that remained was the outer walls and a hollow inside.

You can see that the entire city is built up on the hill side, and that it starts on one side of the valley and continues all the way around. The Entire city just twists and turns going up the hill connected by stairwells and secret alleys.

This is the main market in Salt. When you enter into the market you start off with fruit and vegetable stands, which then transition into clothing, shoe, and spice shops as you walk down into a smaller alley which eventually opens up on the far side of town.

Inside King Abdullah's Home, this is a traditional meeting area. The home is now a museum which people can visit.

This is an old Water pipe for smoking Hookah. Think of the Caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland. This was part of the room shown above and was probably owned and used by the King himself. And if not, well we can at least pretend that it was.

This is a Traditional garb for Bedouin Women, the one on the left is the same as the one on the right. The one on the right is literally the size of an entire wall, and it is wrapped around and tucked as the woman puts it on until it looks like the one on the right.

Traditional Garb of the people during the early years of the Kingdom, and following the First World War. For an excellent movie which recounts the event check out Lawrence of Arabia.

 

This is the Latin Monastery/Church in Salt.

This trail follows the historic trail/road through salt, and up and over the hill tops. We followed it all the way to the top.

 

This was inside of some abandoned home/building, growing. It looked like someone was tending to it.

At the top of the trail, looking out over Salt below.