Bidet? And other things

Life in Amman

Is going okay. Everything is just different. Sometimes different is good, but it’s hard to get used to. Class is pretty intense and we have tons of newspaper translation homework, and we’re expected to log 2 hours of speaking with Arabs on top of that. Pretty much the whole day is spent on campus. But things are pretty interesting here:

Kunafa

This dessert is out of control. So sugary. And so good. Only available in a shady alleyway downtown, and there is always a huge line of addicts waiting for it.

King Abudallah's picture is everywhere! Check him out behind Angie on the street. 

People wear way traditional clothing, and then drive Cadillac escalades... Strange

Bidet

So this country does not believe in toilet paper. I’ve taken to carrying it around in my backpack because public bathrooms do not have it. But yesterday came terrible news from our Professor. Toilet paper has been officially banned from the toilets in our apartments. I guess the Jordanian sewage system is not set up for toilet paper, and we’ve been causing trouble with the plumbing in our building… So bidets are now mandatory. Yes, we have to use that garden hose looking thing. And we have our own “bidet towels”. I’ll spare you the details, we had to be in serviced by some returned European missionaries.

Gay Neighbors

We had a class last semester where we talked about the underground gay subculture in the Arab world. Turns out they’re not so underground. Our neighbors are flamboyant homosexuals with two hideous dogs. I’ve been trying to get a picture of them in their loud clothes, but its hard to take discreet pics of your neighbors. I will continue to try. Also, they are not friendly.