Get ready for an installment of several blog posts!! I'm finally home safe and sound in my own bed in Qatar, a long story that I will bore you with much later. I spent two days in Amman, one full day more than I actually wanted to, but I was unaware the border would be closed for Eid. I had been told it would be open half day, but apparently they decided to close it the whole day. Although I was frustrated, I made the best of my situation. The hotel manager of the hostel I was staying in was one of the sweetest men I've ever met, and I wish I had taken a picture of him to put on here! I will never forget his generosity.
I got scammed out of several dollars while in Jordan, so it left a bad taste in my mouth and made me want to change my flight to stay a little longer in Israel. The taxi driver charged me more than he should have, and there were no seat belts in the car, so I was slightly frightened for my life. I've gotten better at having conversations in Arabic, though, so I guess that's a plus.
I bought a few things in one of the local shops, again getting scammed, but oh well. I came out with a lovely scarf and a cross for my apartment, as well as free coffee and dates from the Tunisian who owned the store. I took to roaming the streets and happened upon a large amphitheater from the Roman days. The top gave a beautiful sight of the city - however dirty the city may be - and I could see other Roman ruins around the area. It was quite the hike up the steps, so I'm thinking these Romans were slightly taller than me...shocker, I know.
The boys pictured below were...interesting. I was climbing around the top of the amphitheater, kind of like I would the Castle Park back home, and they started yelling at me in Arabic. All I can assume they were saying was, "Careful! It's dangerous!" because they kept pointing at me. I tried to run away just because I wasn't sure who they were, but naturally they followed me to the ruins and ran into me on the stairs. I told them I had no idea what they were saying, since my Arabic is not fantastic, so we spoke in English a little. I took a picture of them, per their strange request, and as I was leaving, they asked me if I thought one of their crew was cute. I told the guy who asked, "
Inta majnoon," which means, "You're crazy," and they got a huge kick out of that as I went back down the stairs.
I got to stay in the hotel for free on Friday since I was so out of luck on getting across the border, and the manager fed me lunch, dinner, and about seven cups of tea. Apparently for this Eid, it is tradition to slaughter a lamb for you and your family, and then give what you will not eat to the poor. So, I was taken in as family and ate with him, his son (who he not so subtly tried to push my way), and a friend down the street. Despite me not liking Amman, or at least downtown Amman, I hope to return one day to at least repay him for his kindness.
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