Jordan Does Birthdays Best

It was my 22nd birthday week and I was prepared for a small celebration consisting of a delicious dinner on my birthday. But my Jordanian family exceeded expectations as they do at all things consisting of hospitality and friendship.

It all kicked off Saturday evening, when I was cleaning my room and found the first gift hidden in my room. A set of lovely handmade ceramic Arabic coffee cups with a pink floral design and Arabic writing that I've had my eyes on since I passed by the shop and saw them only halfway complete.

This was followed by a bringing in my birthday at midnight with a surprise party... at my house! Like how did they even manage that?! The cake was carrot cake, which is my favorite and I did not tell anyone that. I was sung five different versions of happy birthday, only one of which I understood. I also received a 100% glass shisha/hookah/argeeleh that I have been eyeing for about a year. 

The next day I was kidnapped to go and pick out new plants and flowers for my roof (some of them had died from the sandstorm and heatwave). I was then surprised with a cactus delivery from my parents, which didn't have a name or note so I was left wondering for a while and quite hysterically who sent me a cactus for my birthday... an enemy? A secret admirer? Or did my parents actually send me a cactus, and yes they did I found out... That is after I called and asked: "Y'all didn't send me a cactus did you, because someone did and there is no name or number or anything?!" Don't get me wrong though, I totally love it!

I had my delicious dinner which consisted of Indian food. A few days later I also had a meal of birthday mansaaf. 

Because what birthday is complete without mansaaf?

Oh and sometime during my birthday week, my friends planned a movie night and turned my roof into The Broadway Theater. We watched The Grand Budapest Hotel with a projected screen, popcorn, and candy. And don't let me forget to mention that there was a meteor shower that same night so we saw shooting stars while watching the movie. 

So as far as I am concerned, this birthday is one for the books and Jordan absolutely did it best. 

Café Culture

42 days in Jordan; 38 different resumes, CVs, and cover letters; 30some days of applications; 12 pairs of Rockports, 7.50 in taxi fare; 4 hours of interviewing; I have a job! 

When asked in the interview: What do you like least about Jordan? My immediate response is how long it takes everything to get anything done. But in the end it worked out. I've thoroughly enjoyed spending my days forming a solid group of friends at the cafe, practicing amiya arabic, and participating in local culture (which essentially revolves around when and where we are going to drink tea, juice, and/or coffee). Pretty sure my tea palate has become more refined than my amiya, but I am keeping my hopes high. 

Darat al Funun makes turkish coffee with a bit of turkish
delight more evilly tempting than the White Witch herself. 

Perfectly blended Lemon Mint at Fann wa Chai

7 minutes and .75 cent for a freshly baked baguette at the French Institute Cafe  

مطعم الخال اللويبدة
The perfect spot for a quick bite and the roughly 2JD a person price can't be beat. 

Casual visit to the Citadel, just after having tea and just before having coffee.