An Ode to the Heat
It's 38 degrees (celcius) today. It was 37 yesterday. Tomorrow is supposed to be 39. My host family keeps saying, "it's not as hot as Tehran!!" True, in Tehran yesterday it was 46 degrees (about 115)...
Yesterday was a holiday, so my family took me to the "forests" of Berkesh. There are lots of trees on rocky hillsides, and it was beautiful, but by no means are they forests. It was very nice to sit and see greenery everywhere, though. It's also much cooler there, because of the altitude. On thursday they took me to a dam near the Israeli border, so I saw Israel from about 500 meters away. We had to go through two checkpoints just to get there. Military guys everywhere.
Tomorrow the girls and I get to meet up with the rest of the group in Irbid again for two days, thank God. I love my host family, but they are becoming a bit overbearing, I suppose. My host father wants to have religious and political debates every night...And I have been very understanding, and very receptive to his beliefs, but it's so difficult! Thus, the weekly trips to Irbid are very welcome. I am learning so much about Islam, which I do find very interesting. While there are only three religions from which prophets are mentioned in the Quaran (Islam, Christianity, and Judaism), Islam is beautiful and loving religion. It is interpreted differently by individuals, just as Christianity and Judaism are. Which is why you'll see some Muslim women wearing the hejab, some not wearing it, some Muslims praying 5 times a day, some not at all, etc etc. The more I read about Islam, the more I see how similar it is to Christianity, but just as the Bible is interpreted differently all over the world, Muslims interpret the Quaran differently as well.
I got a cell phone--feel free to call if and when you can! It's expensive, I know, but if you just really really miss the melodious sound of my voice, call me. :) The number is: country code 962, #7-96-202-998. Feel free to call anytime, but the best day to reach me in Friday (holiday), and I'm usually not out of training until 6pm. Also keep in mind that there is a 7 hour time difference. (I'm 7 hours ahead of the east coast...)
I'm late for lunch. Expect pictures on Tuesday or Wednesday!
Yesterday was a holiday, so my family took me to the "forests" of Berkesh. There are lots of trees on rocky hillsides, and it was beautiful, but by no means are they forests. It was very nice to sit and see greenery everywhere, though. It's also much cooler there, because of the altitude. On thursday they took me to a dam near the Israeli border, so I saw Israel from about 500 meters away. We had to go through two checkpoints just to get there. Military guys everywhere.
Tomorrow the girls and I get to meet up with the rest of the group in Irbid again for two days, thank God. I love my host family, but they are becoming a bit overbearing, I suppose. My host father wants to have religious and political debates every night...And I have been very understanding, and very receptive to his beliefs, but it's so difficult! Thus, the weekly trips to Irbid are very welcome. I am learning so much about Islam, which I do find very interesting. While there are only three religions from which prophets are mentioned in the Quaran (Islam, Christianity, and Judaism), Islam is beautiful and loving religion. It is interpreted differently by individuals, just as Christianity and Judaism are. Which is why you'll see some Muslim women wearing the hejab, some not wearing it, some Muslims praying 5 times a day, some not at all, etc etc. The more I read about Islam, the more I see how similar it is to Christianity, but just as the Bible is interpreted differently all over the world, Muslims interpret the Quaran differently as well.
I got a cell phone--feel free to call if and when you can! It's expensive, I know, but if you just really really miss the melodious sound of my voice, call me. :) The number is: country code 962, #7-96-202-998. Feel free to call anytime, but the best day to reach me in Friday (holiday), and I'm usually not out of training until 6pm. Also keep in mind that there is a 7 hour time difference. (I'm 7 hours ahead of the east coast...)
I'm late for lunch. Expect pictures on Tuesday or Wednesday!
posted by Hilary at 2:15 PM
5 Comments:
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Hey Hilary
I hope the heat doesn't get you down too much. Have fun in Irbid!
love
mom
its only at 90s here but I feel like Im going to melt away in the heat .... melting.. away... (I passed my exam :) its a miracle)
dear secret best friend,
sue just gave me your blog address, and i'm glad to see you're doing well. it sounds like you are having the most incredible, life altering, unique experience in the world while i, alas, begin my stint in corporate america on monday! needless to say, i miss you terribly and look forward to hearing about the amazing things you're doing in jordan. love, ali mainaface
Cha... weird not to have your dry and sarcastic humor to move things along, i want to send a package of random items, let me know if there is anything i should add, and also the earliest date i can send it. hope all is well, wear sunscreen and post some photos!
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