Hello From Terry

Ahalan Wasalan from Amman.

Surprisingly, Amman has a Western feel. Our apartment has central heating and air, the furniture is from IKEA, the traffic no different (in vehicle types and density) than Los Angles, and we met Jordanians whose English is superior to some of my students who were born in the USA. But differences! Sink water is not potable, the mall food court has, in addition to the delicious Jordan fast foods, chains from the USA, England, Lebanon, Syria and elsewhere. Shoppers also vary. Gradations from women in abayas (almost exactly like a burka but without the eye mesh and black instead of blue) to women in shorts and spaghetti straps. Men in jeans stroll alongside men in thawbs  (long white robes). We are unable to discern nationalities not solely because Jordanian teens dress like American teens but because Jordan is the heart of the Middle East and every imaginable clothing variation is seen.

The food is another surprise. I'm guessing the intense flavors are because the food we eat is grown locally without preservatives and thus amounts to organic. The famed pastries and dates are delicious beyond description. A particular Jordanian food, the kanafeh, is cheese encased in what seems like crushed baklava with a dense layer of crushed pistachios on top. Then it is fried in honey. Wow. David had a Greek salad with feta cheese so fresh he could spread it like butter. Again: Wow.

David did a great deal of work prior to our arrival so we found an apartment quickly and are starting to meet those he met through email and corresponded with this year. This is an understatement. David made a lot of friends! We have been BUSY!

The Fulbright orientation is wonderful. We are 2 scholars and about 25 students, some of whom will research, some will teach English. David and I have had the honor of meeting some very bright people, including a handful from prior years who remained in Jordan. For me there is some emotion involved because I am reminded of my time in the jungle in Cambodia when people who had never seen medical personnel - ever - kissed my hands from gratitude. When Jordanians learn I am here to help, here to teach, here to learn and understand, they show kindness and generosity beyond anything I earned. And I am humbled. I pray I successfully attain the Fulbright goal, to strengthen cultural ties through education, and in so doing represent our country with dignity and with grace.