I have ARRIVED!!!

The photo above is of the view of the city (Amman) from my living room window. Its nice to a have a little city view. I arrived in Jordan last night finally after all the delays and plane malfunctions. After searching for my suitcase that has everything good and essential in it at baggage claim, I came to terms with the idea that it wasn't there. So, minus so luggage, but arrived safely and I'm hoping it will come soon.

I was picked up by the language school I'm attending along with a girl from North Carolina named Lily, who turns out to be a Boren Scholar. We have been hanging out and she did a 4 month study abroad stint in the past in Jordan so she knows her way around and where to go, so thats been great help. My apartment is amazing! I mean, luxury! It is a very pretty apartment on the second floor about a 5 minute walk from my school and one of the malls in Jordan. It has a full kitchen with marble countertops, three bathrooms, two living rooms, a washing machine, three bedrooms that have a total of 5 beds, satellite cable TV, and AC. I was in shock when I showed up. I knew I wasn't gonna be roughing it or anything, but i was not expecting this at all. This is a nicer place then my apartment in Boston or any apartment I've ever had. Its certainly not my little rectangular cement hut in Botswana thats for sure. Great surprise.

I have two roommates, both of whom haven't come yet. One of them will come today and the other tomorrow. I know nothing about them at all, except I know they are girls because it is illegal in Jordan for men and women to live together if not legally married. Went out with Lily last night to get some food and walk around the mall a bit. Today we got me a phone, doing a little wireless/lunch, gonna walk around a bit in one of the main circles and get some more essentials. Its been fun and interesting. Lots of culture shock going on. Lots! however, its not in a bad way or even in a "I can't deal with this kind of a way." Its more the kind of culture shock where I just feel dazed a bit because I have absolutely no idea what it going on at any given time, all the time.

Mostly I think it just hasn't really hit yet that I'm actually here. It hasn't registered or sunken in yet. The idea that I have moved to the Middle East or that I'm walking the street of Jordan, just has no meaning. Its like when you say the same word over and over and over...so then the word has no real definition or meaning. Thats is kind of how I feel. Overwhelming, but its been fun and I welcome the new adventure.