We are in Amman!
We arrived in Amman early afternoon on the 22nd. After a full day of travel with 2 children, we were beyond exhausted. We are told it'll take a few days to shake this jet lag, so hopefully in the next day or so. Despite being incredibly tired, we woke up at 2:30am, unable to go back to sleep. We tried to 'nap' after that, but by the time our bodies felt like it was time to sleep, it was time to get up and prepare for the day.
After we got off the plane, we had to first purchase a tourist visa (which will become a resident visa later) and go through customs. Customs went pretty smooth, thanks to the assistance we received from airport employees who took our bags (bike box included) through customs for us. Smoothest trip through customs ever! Once we made it through customs, we were greeted by one of the principals from the school. Then it was off to see our new home! On the way, Hailee got her wish to see a camel. The airport is outside of the city, and as we passed through the outlying areas, men were selling camel's milk (ewww) alongside the road.
We were greeted at our apartment by another administrator, Christine, from IAA. She actually lives across the hall from us with her 15 year old daughter. Christine, our landlord, and 2 other men helped us get all of our luggage up to our apartment. Everyone has been so polite and welcoming. They all love the girls, and wave to them or strike up a conversation every time they see us. Our apartment is great! We are quite happy with it. What we were most surprised by is almost everything is brand new and still in the packages- pots and pans, utensils, towels, pillows, sheets, etc. We still need to finish unpacking and make it ours, but it's happening slowly but surely.
Later that evening, Christine and another neighbor, Regina, walked us to a market just around the corner so we could pick up some things for dinner. We love the little market and how close it is to the house. We've visited it a couple more times since. On the way back we stopped to check out the view on the hillside near our apartment building. Absolutely beautiful. We feel so incredibly lucky to be here, and having this experience. Who would of thought that the Nelsons would one day live in Amman, Jordan? Crazy where life takes us.
After an interesting night's sleep, we got up and prepared for the day. A bus from the school would be picking us, along with the other newbies, up at 10 am to head to the Taj mall. The Taj Mall is like a one stop shop. While at the mall, we bought Charlee a stroller (the Chariot is not always easy to take along), bought cell phones, purchased a wireless Internet router, and did our grocery shopping at Spinney's. We also had lunch in the food court,which was very similar to the states. Bill and the girl's had McDonald's and I had Chinese. I know, I know.. we are going to get out and enjoy some Jordanian cuisine soon! But, here's the crazy thing. Fast food here isn't quite as fast..b/c they cooked it when we ordered it! It was a 10 minute wait for our food, but it came out hot and fresh. I tasted the girl's McDonald's and let me tell you... McDonald's never tasted so good!
After the bus brought us back to the apartment, we all fell asleep except for Daddy. Our router ended up being bad, so he went on a walk back to the mall, where he was sent up to their other store by the American Embassy. He really enjoyed his walk and the people he encountered along the way. The girls and I got out for another walk up to the market. After the sun went down we went outside to check out the building that changes color! The girls love watching it! Every few seconds the building changes color. It's absolutely beautiful!
Lots of other interesting things to share, but it's getting late and we have another trip planned in the morning. We will be joining some of the administrators and the other newbies on a trip to Madaba. Madaba is considered to be one of the most memorable places in the holy land. It is best known for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, and is home to the famous 6th century Mosaic Map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. We can't wait!!
After we got off the plane, we had to first purchase a tourist visa (which will become a resident visa later) and go through customs. Customs went pretty smooth, thanks to the assistance we received from airport employees who took our bags (bike box included) through customs for us. Smoothest trip through customs ever! Once we made it through customs, we were greeted by one of the principals from the school. Then it was off to see our new home! On the way, Hailee got her wish to see a camel. The airport is outside of the city, and as we passed through the outlying areas, men were selling camel's milk (ewww) alongside the road.
We were greeted at our apartment by another administrator, Christine, from IAA. She actually lives across the hall from us with her 15 year old daughter. Christine, our landlord, and 2 other men helped us get all of our luggage up to our apartment. Everyone has been so polite and welcoming. They all love the girls, and wave to them or strike up a conversation every time they see us. Our apartment is great! We are quite happy with it. What we were most surprised by is almost everything is brand new and still in the packages- pots and pans, utensils, towels, pillows, sheets, etc. We still need to finish unpacking and make it ours, but it's happening slowly but surely.
Later that evening, Christine and another neighbor, Regina, walked us to a market just around the corner so we could pick up some things for dinner. We love the little market and how close it is to the house. We've visited it a couple more times since. On the way back we stopped to check out the view on the hillside near our apartment building. Absolutely beautiful. We feel so incredibly lucky to be here, and having this experience. Who would of thought that the Nelsons would one day live in Amman, Jordan? Crazy where life takes us.
After an interesting night's sleep, we got up and prepared for the day. A bus from the school would be picking us, along with the other newbies, up at 10 am to head to the Taj mall. The Taj Mall is like a one stop shop. While at the mall, we bought Charlee a stroller (the Chariot is not always easy to take along), bought cell phones, purchased a wireless Internet router, and did our grocery shopping at Spinney's. We also had lunch in the food court,which was very similar to the states. Bill and the girl's had McDonald's and I had Chinese. I know, I know.. we are going to get out and enjoy some Jordanian cuisine soon! But, here's the crazy thing. Fast food here isn't quite as fast..b/c they cooked it when we ordered it! It was a 10 minute wait for our food, but it came out hot and fresh. I tasted the girl's McDonald's and let me tell you... McDonald's never tasted so good!
After the bus brought us back to the apartment, we all fell asleep except for Daddy. Our router ended up being bad, so he went on a walk back to the mall, where he was sent up to their other store by the American Embassy. He really enjoyed his walk and the people he encountered along the way. The girls and I got out for another walk up to the market. After the sun went down we went outside to check out the building that changes color! The girls love watching it! Every few seconds the building changes color. It's absolutely beautiful!
Lots of other interesting things to share, but it's getting late and we have another trip planned in the morning. We will be joining some of the administrators and the other newbies on a trip to Madaba. Madaba is considered to be one of the most memorable places in the holy land. It is best known for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, and is home to the famous 6th century Mosaic Map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. We can't wait!!
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