The last couple of days have been really nice. Most of the snow and water is gone, so it's much nicer to walk around now and not have to worry about slipping all over the place. It has gotten much warmer, too, so that is good. A couple of days ago, some kids from the group and I decided to go downtown and explore a bit. First, we had to check out Jordan's infamous and impressive bootleg DVD market. There are little shops all over downtown selling pirated DVDs-- even movies that are still in theaters in America. The best part is that they are only 1 JD (about $1.40) each, and are generally good quality. I got 10 and intend on making some more trips before I leave. After that we walked around a bit and looked at all the different merchants and their stuff. Downtown is really neat; just how I would picture the center city of a Middle Eastern country. Lots of merchants selling anything you could ever want, from colorful belly dancing costumes, kuffiyehs, shoes, luggage, perfume, fabrics, etc. It's loud, a bit chaotic, colorful and there are lots of good smells emanating from coffee carts, bakeries and restaurants.
After buying out one of the DVD shops, we decided to check out Hashem... one of Amman's most famous restaurants. If you are picturing a fancy, 5 star restaurant, don't. Hashem is literally located in an ally and is the size of a living room. There is some room to sit inside, but mostly everyone sits out under a little alcove beneath a staircase. This place gives new meaning to 'hole in the wall restaurant' and it's amazing. All they serve is falafel, hummus, bread, fuul and tea with fresh mint to put in. This has been the best food I've had here yet. It is simple but so incredibly good. The atmosphere is also great. Very fun because of how informal it is and the workers are really funny and kind. It is also very inexpensive- 4 of us ate enough to get stuffed and it was only 3 JD! It is said that King Abdullah II goes there a lot to eat and pays for everyone in the restaurant. I have a secret goal to at least see him while I am here.... :)
Today I went to the Roman Amphitheater downtown and it was one of the most amazing things I've seen. It is such an interesting contrast to see this ancient Roman structure surrounded by typical Middle Eastern architecture and scenery. It was really cool. I went to the top, and almost had a heart attack coming back down... the stairs are very steep. After that, I wandered around the park surrounding it for a bit and then walked around downtown some more. After a few too many encounters and stares from creepy men, I decided to go home and eat dinner. All in all, it was a great day.
Tomorrow is the last day of school this week, and on Friday and Saturday we will be in Petra on a trip. Expect a million photos from this. I hope everyone has a nice weekend and I will upload some photos when I get back from Petra.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Don't you think that buying a bootleg DVD is the same as stealing? My mother is an artist and designs Cross Stitch patterns and there are people especially in other parts of the world that copy her work and sell them. It is the same principle. It is taking money away from her, that really belongs to her. Just giving you something to think about and consider. If it was a book you wrote or a movie that you made, would you want someone buying a pirated copy? Thanks for reading this. www.needgod.com
lol @ susan.
contrary to what she believes, i don't believe it's kala that is doing the stealing, i think it is the person who bootlegged it to begin with. i don't believe that the action of the theft happens twice... is it illegal to purchase stolen goods in jordan?
can you find me High School Musical 2?
i really with that i could experience the food over there. maybe one day i will be able to try it out. and why is it so cheap? do you have to get out of touristic areas to get it so inexpensive?
Do they have Hindi bootlegged stuff?
Each of your post reminds me of India! Out there, we even have pirated versions of movies that are yet to be released. It's a huge market.
And hole in the wall places are the best everywhere!
Even thousands of years into the future..the superior architecture and god-like structures of the most bad ass civilization in history still lives. even in countries where people eat funny food like Jordan ;)
Living in amman all my life, I've never been to "Hashem"...mainly due to hygienic reasons. Although I must gather some courage -and alot of carelessness- and go there. :)
it's not that the king goes there ALOT, but he went there once in ramadan and had "Suhour" meal with his family before dawn.
Post a Comment