Watermelon & Cheese

This year in Jara "Flea market" I saw one of the most creative items.

Ya, nice dish. It turns out that some Watermelon lovers in Jordan decided to offer new creative ways of serving watermelon.
Nothing beats eating Batteekh "Watermelon" with Cheese in hot summer evenings.

Ramadan Sensation in Amman

During Ramadan Amman vibes are transformed. It is a different routine than the rest of the year.

During the day streets are jammed with traffic (much more than the normal days), shops and supermarkets are crowded, endless line of people in the bakeries. To be honest, until this day I can't figure out the least crowded period to shop in!

People at home laying down with a TV remote control in their hands, flipping from one channel to another to catch up with the marathon of Arabic series. People in the office have a daily serious discussions, of what they going to eat today; how the food is prepared; where they are having their food.

As the day advance, and sunset approach … streets become empty. Most people are gathered sharing their food with friends, family, neighbors. Endless discussions start about the series which one is better, how is that one introduce a new social problem, or a historical, and so forth.

Menu will consist of dates, soup, salad and a main dish(s) followed by Arabic sweats and combined with Ramadan beverages Sous (Liquorice), Kharoob (Carob), Amar Eldeen & Tamer Hindy (Tamarind). I am already full :-)

At night, restaurants caters for Ramadanyat and people hang out playing cards and enjoying music. Most of the time meals are not served, without you ordering, a list of dishes will start appearing on the table, Baleela (Cheakpeas); Foul (Brown Beans); Tormus (Lupine) and a plate of mix Arabic sweats; Layali Libnan, Tmaryeh, Um Ali, Baklawa, and most importantly, Qatayef!

This doesn't mean that I don't see any negative side but I close my eyes on them. I do love Ramadan if not for any reason but spending nice time with my family & Qatayef.

Ramadan Kareem

Monday Party Time in Amman

Since my twenties I have been puzzled why do we party in Amman on Mondays. It doesn't make sense! Mid of week. Partying on Thursdays is logical as we have the next day off, so why Monday?

While I was surfing the internet today looking for cultural events I came across an article titled "Leisure Time in Amman" that explained this mysterious day. Off we go:
"A British Airways crew from the 1960s has left a mark on Amman nightlife, maybe. Some believe there is good reason for the Monday ‘big night out’ phenomenon: Back in the ’60s, there was one flight a week from London to Amman. It would arrive on Mondays and the British Airways stewardesses and flight crew would stay in Amman’s Shepherd Hotel. The crew would always drink in the hotel’s pub that night and soon word spread of pretty women drinking there. So the crowds began to arrive, with locals from the capital arriving in their throngs. Soon, the Shepherd pub became so popular and full that the overflow started going to other, new pubs.

And so the Monday night phenomenon was born, some would say, and continues to this day."

Source: http://emaj2008.wordpress.com/the-academy-day-to-day/emaj-articles/leisure-time-in-amman/

Mending My Relationship with Amman

I left 6.5 years ago with wounds & pain and a decision to heal, become a better person and most importantly to start over a fresh life. I knew long time ago that my healing was not complete... I am not in peace with Amman; with the place I grow up in. Simply because Amman for me has been nothing but its kind people. I ended up associating Amman with lost relations and friends, unfulfilled dreams, and painful memories.

For the first months I have stayed here this year, my resentment for the place and rejection to stay was increasing. The tiniest idea of settling back here made my heart heavy and my body gave out all the signs of refusing. I felt it badly.
Almost two month ago I was lucky to meet new people who are unconsciously helping me to re- associate my memories of Amman in a new and joyful way. I started to reestablish a new relationship with things I used to adore and lost along the way, though they are simple but they are … em em … warm, part of me, shaped my character and I missed them a lot.

They are as simple as eating what is available in the season bateekh o jibneh (water melon and white cheese), 7amleh (grilled green chickpeas), Turmus & much more food :-). Interacting and hanging out with people who speak my language, use our funny expressions and terms (min elakher, 6yneh), laugh loud, listen to Fairouz in the mornings and Um Kalthoum at night. gossip, generous, fight and care about each other. How much we (Arabs) differ from other cultures when it comes to interacting with people!

All these simple things are formulating a fresh perspective of place I once called home. For this I am grateful.