There are obviously many things about a Jordanian lifestyle that differs from my own in the states.  One of those differences is one I would love to adopt: visiting hours.  This is the time of day, when the stars are just appearing, when the family is mostly gathered around the TV - but of course never paying attention to it - and dinner is finished.  Then there is a call from outside, "Ya Abu Nadeem!" (translated: hey you, father of Nadeem - the oldest son in the house).  The visitor is warmly greeted with multiple kisses (the kiss per cheek ratio is one I am still trying to figure out) and he or she is either brought inside, or if the evening is nice - which it most often is - everyone gathers on the veranda.  Samanti the maid, is called for to bring chai and something sweet to nibble on, either some figs or a fruit dessert.  The next hour or so is spent, talking, arguing, playing cards, and just visiting in the cool evening breeze enjoying hot chai from juice glasses.  It is lovely.  Almost every night, a neighbor or relative calls, no invitation or calling ahead, because a welcome is always guaranteed. I love visiting hour.

Thought I should share a little culture with you in this blog.  Let me introduce you to knafe.  It is a delicious traditional dessert made with warm sweet cheese encased and fried in shredded phylo pastry.  A pomegranate sauce can be served with it.  It looks like this:

And then there is Nancy.  She is the family favorite as far as singers go.  Amman loves her too.  There is one song that plays everywhere and the music video is entertaining.  You can listen to the song here: Nancy Ajram "Fi Hagat.

More pictures are coming. The internet has been a little slow lately.  The ones that are up are from some Byzantine ruins in the heart of Amman.

Tomorrow morning I leave for a three day trip with the program to visit Wadi Rum, Aqaba and Petra!

Salam!