Xmas is over...

Amman on Dec 24

So the big event is over ;-) Xmas is over... I have to admit that for a short second I had mixed feelings. especially when I turned on the radio (from back home, over satellite) on the 25th in the morning, they were playing Xmas songs and describing how much snow they had, I wished i was back home. But as I said, only one little second ;-) I watched out of the window, where the sun was shining and we had the most beautiful blue sky. Gorgeous! Xmas was just as every other day. To be honest I really enjoyed it. Nobody stressed me, no presents, no visiting here and there... nothing! Wann know how the 24th and the 25 th were? OK, 24 was Friday (=weekend) I got up, breakfast, watched a serie, called my buddy (US American), he as well by himself, we went downtown together and checked out a very nice, very traditional Arab restaurant. As we were there, we had a "small" lunch. Be aware if they invite you here around to have a small lunch...You remeber at business class when the professor told you that there "is no such thing as a free lunch!"? OK, there is no such thing as a small lunch in Al Urdunn! Anyway, we had some appetizer at this nice restaurant and discussed and chatted for more than an hour.
I only drive downtown on Friday. Any other day during the week would be crazy. The traffic is terrible and I would never find a parking slot anyway... but as it was Friday before the noon prayer (Dhur; every prayer has a name) the streets are empty. Most of the shops are not open and Amman is very quiet. I love it...

So, we hung out at the restaurant and after our lunch we drove to a place which is a little bit outside Amman, some 15/20 minutes away, direction airport. There is a bunch of things to do there. There is an indoor shooting range with a restaurant / longue and a terriffic terrasse, next to it there is a big horse club where people can ride horses (this goes to EH ;-), next to it there is a cart racing club. My colleague and I checked out the shooting range and the terrace first but as it was sunny but chilly (some 15°) we decided to come back in summer ,-) we had a quick look at the horse club and finally headed to the race club. My colleague bought a ticket and jumped into the car and started for a 10 minute race. I watched to the whole thing from outside... but I have to admit, I will definitely go back as it really looks like great fun. After we checked out all the three things, we drove back to Amman, took a coffe in a hip area called Sweifieh. I brought him home as 90 minutes after I had to be at the place of Swiss frieds from the Embassy who invited me for dinner. It was a very nice dinner. Nice and very interesting people and very good food. I stayed until after midnight :-) Next day I got up, hung out all day, went for lunch, and the coolest thing, the 25th in the evening I went to the gym :-) That was really cool...back home everything is closed the 25th, here, there was no difference. After practise I went home, had a small dinner and then chatted with family over skype. Was really nice talking to them. I watched a movie and then to bed :-) This is my definition of a peaceful, quite Xmas!! Today, Dec 26 my company gave us a day off, usually during Xmas only the 25th is off respectively national holiday. I got up early, had to do some homeork for my Arabic class, had to wash some stuff and the cleaning lady came. Arabic class in the afternoon, then back home (where I am writing my blog ;-)

All my muslim friend are so nice, as all wish me "Merry Xmas" as soon as they see me. even when you go into a restaurant or so, the first thing that the waiter says is Merry Christmas! I think this is so respectful and shows how nice Jordanians are. Some of my colleagues sent me sms and emails. Very nice people.

All in all I spend a very nice, quite and peaceful Xmas. I will try to repet it naxt year ;-) I that sense, I wish you out there all the best of world! Take care wherever you are in this world. I miss you all. Big hug from Amman!