Marhaba!~
So I know its been awhile-I've just been so busy!
But there is so much to tell! Last week, after a very long week of arabic classes, we took a group trip to Wadi Moujib- this kind of nature reserve area. It was all high rocks walls and beautiful streams. It was soo gorgeous. We were told that would be hiking through a little water, but I didn't really think much of it considering there isn't really much water in jordan-but wow was I mistaken! When we started the hike we were walking through a litle stream about ankle-deep...then it started getting deeper..and before I knew it I was basically swimming upstream-the water was up to my neck! And then we had to hike UP water falls-small ones of course, but it was still difficult! We had to help eachother and use ropes and everything! I've never felt more like Indiana Jones in my life! :) But anyway, after lots of strenuous hiking, we finally made it to our final destination-this huge waterfall! It was soo beautiful! And we could swim under it to the cave behind the waterfall, that was way cool...It was awesome..I must say....I have pictures-I'll be puttingthem up soon, I promise!!!
The day after our hike, it was the fourth of July..and i couldn't have had a more American holiday! We were invitedt to a party at the US Embassy here in Jordan-it was a cookout to the extreme! The embassy here is like a palace-an entire compound complete with state-of-the-art tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, and this HUGE pool. They were serving all-american footlong hotdogs, burgers, fries, coleslaw! It was amazing! There were a lot of fun things for little kids, like facepainting and bingo-not much for us to do, but I enjoyed the american food! Then that night we had our reception with our host families!
I was soooo nervous to meet my family-and of course mine was the FIRST to show up to the reception at our hotel! But I sat down with them for a few minutes, and got to know them. I've been with them now for a little less than a week and I couldn't be happier!
I have a host Mother, Bahja, who is the most amazing cook in the whole world, or pretty close anyway. My first morning there she made me pancakes! Or I should say pancake! Becuase I only had one becuase it was bigger than most standard sized plates! It was huge and delicious and just what I had been craving!
In addition, i have a host father, Emad, who is soo nice and sooo helpful. He really does everything he can to make me feel comfotable and at home. His brother just died very recently, and very tragically, and you can still feel that the family is mourning but...they're still trying so hard to be so welcoming...
I also have host sister, Rawan, who is only a year younger than me. She is very cool..she spent a year in the US as a foriegn exchange student (in Illinois no less!) two years ago...so she knows what its like to be in my shoes, she's been so helpful ,and I'm loving sharing a room with her!
I also have one host brother, Basl-who is 15 and just as in to videogames as my REAL brother back home! But he's really nice, and he's planning to go to the US within the next two years on the same prgram his sister did....
The whole family is fluent in English, which is very helpful, and they are pretty westernized, which is also good. But I'm already learning so much from them!! I can't wait to learn more!
I wish I had more time to share even more of all my stories with you all, but, I have to get going-I didn't finish my homework thats due for class today!!! **O! side note: classes are going well, just his week I got moved up two levels, so I'm in a much more advanced class that takes a LOT more studying, but I like the challenge way moer over my old class that was way too easy. But anyway, I didn't finish our homework and class starts in about an hour! So I have got to go!
I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer, and not having too much fun without me! I'm missing everyone! LOVE!
Kadie
So I know its been awhile-I've just been so busy!
But there is so much to tell! Last week, after a very long week of arabic classes, we took a group trip to Wadi Moujib- this kind of nature reserve area. It was all high rocks walls and beautiful streams. It was soo gorgeous. We were told that would be hiking through a little water, but I didn't really think much of it considering there isn't really much water in jordan-but wow was I mistaken! When we started the hike we were walking through a litle stream about ankle-deep...then it started getting deeper..and before I knew it I was basically swimming upstream-the water was up to my neck! And then we had to hike UP water falls-small ones of course, but it was still difficult! We had to help eachother and use ropes and everything! I've never felt more like Indiana Jones in my life! :) But anyway, after lots of strenuous hiking, we finally made it to our final destination-this huge waterfall! It was soo beautiful! And we could swim under it to the cave behind the waterfall, that was way cool...It was awesome..I must say....I have pictures-I'll be puttingthem up soon, I promise!!!
The day after our hike, it was the fourth of July..and i couldn't have had a more American holiday! We were invitedt to a party at the US Embassy here in Jordan-it was a cookout to the extreme! The embassy here is like a palace-an entire compound complete with state-of-the-art tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, and this HUGE pool. They were serving all-american footlong hotdogs, burgers, fries, coleslaw! It was amazing! There were a lot of fun things for little kids, like facepainting and bingo-not much for us to do, but I enjoyed the american food! Then that night we had our reception with our host families!
I was soooo nervous to meet my family-and of course mine was the FIRST to show up to the reception at our hotel! But I sat down with them for a few minutes, and got to know them. I've been with them now for a little less than a week and I couldn't be happier!
I have a host Mother, Bahja, who is the most amazing cook in the whole world, or pretty close anyway. My first morning there she made me pancakes! Or I should say pancake! Becuase I only had one becuase it was bigger than most standard sized plates! It was huge and delicious and just what I had been craving!
In addition, i have a host father, Emad, who is soo nice and sooo helpful. He really does everything he can to make me feel comfotable and at home. His brother just died very recently, and very tragically, and you can still feel that the family is mourning but...they're still trying so hard to be so welcoming...
I also have host sister, Rawan, who is only a year younger than me. She is very cool..she spent a year in the US as a foriegn exchange student (in Illinois no less!) two years ago...so she knows what its like to be in my shoes, she's been so helpful ,and I'm loving sharing a room with her!
I also have one host brother, Basl-who is 15 and just as in to videogames as my REAL brother back home! But he's really nice, and he's planning to go to the US within the next two years on the same prgram his sister did....
The whole family is fluent in English, which is very helpful, and they are pretty westernized, which is also good. But I'm already learning so much from them!! I can't wait to learn more!
I wish I had more time to share even more of all my stories with you all, but, I have to get going-I didn't finish my homework thats due for class today!!! **O! side note: classes are going well, just his week I got moved up two levels, so I'm in a much more advanced class that takes a LOT more studying, but I like the challenge way moer over my old class that was way too easy. But anyway, I didn't finish our homework and class starts in about an hour! So I have got to go!
I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer, and not having too much fun without me! I'm missing everyone! LOVE!
Kadie
2 comments:
Thank you for sharing all of your experiences with us. It makes me realize just how little I know about the culture. All of us who are reading your blog are learning--the world continues to grow smaller.
Always go with your gut feeling-creepy is creepy no matter where you are.
Thank you! Julie
Looking forward to hearing about your next adventure. I so enjoy hearing your about your excitement for learning. Stay safe. Ms. Niemeyer
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