Shades of Mongolia, Jordan, and Thailand

Ladyville, Belize

When I arrive in a new place, I often find myself trying to figure out what the new place reminds me of. It's silly in a way because the new really is a NEW place, but somehow arriving in Belize drove home the point that my experience of "place" is very relational.

My mind quickly turns to trying to figure out into which "categories" to put the new place. These calculations seem to be based on some combination of food, landscape, language, architecture, people--and who knows what else. So, yesterday when I went out and made a few purchases, my initial sense of place was registering as Mongolia (I will always associate ultra-pasteurized milk with Mongolia because it was one of our main staples for three years), Jordan for the McVitie's Ginger Nuts (they got me through two long years of teaching) and Thailand--both for the papayas, the tropical weather and vegetation, and the architecture. 

It's early days, though, and this place may yet re-register itself on my internal index of place...

Shades of Jordan

Seattle,Washington
Saturday, August 20, 2016

Popped into Trader Joe's this morning and was delighted to find it's fig season again. Reminds me a LOT of our time in Jordan--where figs rule supreme!

You can call me "Arnab"

Seattle, Washington
Sunday, March 6, 2016

Inspired by my daughter, I tried making a stuffed animal, namely a rabbit. I thought I'd try making it from a kafia since it's owner-to-be is a former student from Jordan. We had a good time using up bits from the edge of the kafia...

Click here for the pattern--not "easy" but certainly doable!

Killer dandelions

Madaba, Jordan
Friday, April 25, 2014

As previously mentioned, springtime is a time of impressive weeds here in Jordan. Watch out for one these killer dandelions in a yard or field near you...

Glorious green

Madaba, Jordan
Saturday, April 12, 2014

For much of the year, shades of brown and tan are all one can see in this part of Jordan. But this area of Jordan IS considered to be one of the "bread baskets" of Jordan and for eight weeks or so every spring, all is a glorious green as the crops come in. It gives me a lovely restful feeling to look out on such color...

The heavenly loquat

Madaba, Jordan
Friday, April 11, 2014

Once again it is loquat season here in Jordan, and I am in heaven. Wikipedia has some interesting things to say about loquats--especially that they are unusual among fruits for being ripe in late winter or early spring. Ah, the joys...

The Birthday Party

Amman, Jordan
Friday, April 11, 2014

Today I accompanied A to a classmate's birthday party in Amman. It was a big bash and the kids had a great time playing on/in one of those indoor play structures, dancing, and playing games. The food and cake were wonderful (both kids and adults would probably agree), but what really got my attention was the fancy footwear on some of the mothers. Wow, did I feel under-dressed...

Yes, those heels are about 13cm/5 inches high...

Purple-black

Madaba, Jordan
Thursday, March 27, 2014

After work today we took a short drive to a nearby spot where Jordan's famous (but rare?) black irises are in full bloom. Spring here is wonderful as all the green one has been missing bursts forth. And then this wondrous riot of purple-black...

3D fun

Not your parents' red and blue 3D glasses...

Amman, Jordan
Friday, March 21, 2014

Despite the fact that it was a lovely spring day (breezy, sunny and not too hot), we decided to head into Amman for a movie. It was my first 3D movie (wow!) and a really fun movie, too. Seeing my first 3D movie after my kid had already seen several was starting to make me feel a bit like a Stone Age mom. But "Mr. Peabody and Sherman" is a really kid-fun (and adult-funny) movie. Added bonus: yesterday was Mother's Day in Jordan so my movie ticket came with free popcorn and soda...

PS: Several weeks ago we saw "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2." It's a lot of fun, also.

Spring!

Madaba, Jordan
Friday, February 21, 2014

Reports say that the winter and spring rains have not been plentiful enough here in Jordan. Nonetheless, spring flowers are starting to emerge from the stony earth. Here are tiny irises with more varieties to come...

The Arabian Horse Club

Amman, Jordan
Friday, February 14, 2014

The best part of the week as far as A is concerned are Friday mornings: up we get and off we go to the Arabian Horse Club. For 30 minutes, A gets a riding lesson, and we all get to admire the lovely beasts. It's one of those weird things about travel: finally I get it. Arabian horses come from Arabia, right?

Tea with mint

Amman, Jordan
Friday, February 7, 2014

Today we were invited by a colleague for a very special lunch at her home. The kids played, we ate wonderful food, the adults discussed a wide range of topics, and we finished the afternoon with tea with fresh mint leaves.

Want to make someone really happy? Invite a foreign colleague home for a meal. It's a wonderful gift.

Potsherds

Hisban, Jordan
Sunday, January 12, 2014

I learned a new word today: all my life, I thought broken pot bits were called "pot shards." But today Frank finally convinced me otherwise: "potsherds" it is!

The three of us spent the fading light of a winter afternoon sorting through piles of potsherds at one of our favorite nearby archaeological sites: Tell Hisban. Layers of civilizations have produced pottery bits of all kinds--bits fascinating to travelers young and old.

And the views from the top of the Tell are stunning.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

Madaba, Jordan
Thursday, December 12, 2013

School was dismissed a day early for inclement weather and today, indeed, the snow arrived. Wet, heavy stuff that was just perfect for snowmen and snowball fights. Now, it's time for something warmer than this corner of the Middle East: we are off to Thailand!

But, oh, campus was beautiful for a while--before the rain/slush thing began. And it was good to find a home for that last, lonely carrot in the fridge--

Thanksgiving bonfire

Madaba, Jordan
Friday, November 29, 2013

This afternoon we enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving meal with friends and friends of friends. As it grew dark, the bonfire was lit and the dry olive branches leaped into flame against the night sky. We drove home with full bellies, smokey clothes, and happy hearts.

The $3 hair cut

Madaba, Jordan
Saturday, November 9, 2013

Perhaps concerned that I was paying too much at my "regular" barber in Madaba, Frank decided to take me to "his" barber down at the bus station. (Actually, I would have gladly gone back to my barber but when we arrived at the shop today, it was totally torn apart as if for renovation.)

In a country where the line between barber shops and women's hair salons is very, very distinct, I was nervous at (once again) trying to find a barber shop to cut my hair. But, accompanied by Frank, I succeeded in finding a fine hair cut--and an even less expensive one at that.

Here's to adventures in hair-cutting--which are made all the more exciting by the fact that I cannot even begin to explain in Arabic how I'd like my hair done...

Tree-climbing goats

Near the Dead Sea, Jordan

Friday, October 25, 2013

We spent a lovely afternoon today with friends at their place overlooking the northern end of the Dead Sea. As the sun set, we went on a walk and had the chance to observe a group of voracious goats practically climbing an olive tree--and devouring it. I don't think they were eating olives (possibly they had already been harvested), but all the leaves and small branches were fair game...

The experience puts a new perspective on the tale of the "Three Billy Goats Gruff"... 

Down by the sea

Aqaba, Jordan
Tuesday, October 15, 2013

When not furiously beach-combing for sea glass, A spent her time recording her experiences at the beach on paper--in the tradition of other great artists.

Meanwhile, Papa went snorkeling and saw two giant sea turtles and a host of other brilliant sea creatures.

And Mama read a book.

Aqaba lunch

Aqaba, Jordan
Sunday, October 13, 2013

Day Three of our vacation in Aqaba. After a morning spent snorkeling and hanging out by the pool, we headed into Aqaba for lunch. We found a simple restaurant and ordered foul, hummous, and falafel. Food for peasants AND for kings--

Public Beach #4

Aqaba, Jordan
Saturday, October 12, 2013

Up early on our first morning here. Went down to investigate Public Beach #4 which lies just across the highway from our hotel. Families camping in all manner of tents, heating tea on open fires, and sitting by the sea. A constant and fierce wind blowing down the coast. Across the blue, blue water is Egypt and a bit of Israel. I love this time of day...