As I sit working on homework, I'm gonna procrastinate by making a list of things that are noticeably different in Jordan :)
1. Call to Prayer: Five times a day, hearing the call projected from all the mosques in the area. The call to prayer also differs from place to place. It was cool to hear it in Aqaba, Istanbul, and Izmir as well as Amman.
2. Taxis and Traffic: There are basically no enforced driving laws in Amman, it's insane. The honking in incesssant. In taxis, women should sit in the backseat. Also, it's typically not a good idea for women to get real chatty with the drivers because marriage proposals are not uncommon. On the other hand, it's often a great chance for guys to practice their colloquial. Also, it's important to make sure the taxi driver uses the meter properly and doesn't try to screw you over, which happens all the time.
3. The Seperation of the Sexes: Walking on UJ campus, its easy to see the seperation. Most of the time it seems as if they don't go to class at all and just spend all day staring awkwardly at each other, with occassional harrassing cat calls. Apparently calling a girl a duck or a banana is enticing...
4. Food: I want my damn french toast/pancakes/waffles already! Although my host family doesn't eat the typical zait and zatar for breakfast, they usually skip it all together. Lunch is typically as expected. Dinner, however, seems to be at 4pm in my house, which is very strange for my appetite clock. Still, that means we have a little snack and tea at about 8 or 9 every night, and I will definitely try to bring that back home with me. Oh, and in case I didn't mention it: breadbreadbreadbread, chicken and rice, rice and chicken, ricericerice, breadbreadbreadbreadbread. And no milk.
5. Clothes and Style: For guys: black leather jackets are a must. Hair gel is preferred. Lots of it.
For girls: Hijabs are the norm, but are not everywhere. Makeup, especially a lot on the eyes is a good thing. Legs should be covered, therefore jeans (typically very tight) are typical. But even a hint of a clavicle indicates your surely deviant attitude. It's also interesting to note than even under the long form-hiding trenchcoats worn by many girls, sparkly colorful high heels can often be found underneath.
That's enough for now, but I'm sure I'll hit another procrastination streak soon!
1. Call to Prayer: Five times a day, hearing the call projected from all the mosques in the area. The call to prayer also differs from place to place. It was cool to hear it in Aqaba, Istanbul, and Izmir as well as Amman.
2. Taxis and Traffic: There are basically no enforced driving laws in Amman, it's insane. The honking in incesssant. In taxis, women should sit in the backseat. Also, it's typically not a good idea for women to get real chatty with the drivers because marriage proposals are not uncommon. On the other hand, it's often a great chance for guys to practice their colloquial. Also, it's important to make sure the taxi driver uses the meter properly and doesn't try to screw you over, which happens all the time.
3. The Seperation of the Sexes: Walking on UJ campus, its easy to see the seperation. Most of the time it seems as if they don't go to class at all and just spend all day staring awkwardly at each other, with occassional harrassing cat calls. Apparently calling a girl a duck or a banana is enticing...
4. Food: I want my damn french toast/pancakes/waffles already! Although my host family doesn't eat the typical zait and zatar for breakfast, they usually skip it all together. Lunch is typically as expected. Dinner, however, seems to be at 4pm in my house, which is very strange for my appetite clock. Still, that means we have a little snack and tea at about 8 or 9 every night, and I will definitely try to bring that back home with me. Oh, and in case I didn't mention it: breadbreadbreadbread, chicken and rice, rice and chicken, ricericerice, breadbreadbreadbreadbread. And no milk.
5. Clothes and Style: For guys: black leather jackets are a must. Hair gel is preferred. Lots of it.
For girls: Hijabs are the norm, but are not everywhere. Makeup, especially a lot on the eyes is a good thing. Legs should be covered, therefore jeans (typically very tight) are typical. But even a hint of a clavicle indicates your surely deviant attitude. It's also interesting to note than even under the long form-hiding trenchcoats worn by many girls, sparkly colorful high heels can often be found underneath.
That's enough for now, but I'm sure I'll hit another procrastination streak soon!
Come here you cute banana...
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