Sunrise in Zarqa

As we woke up yesterday morning, we were blessed by watching the most beautiful sunrise. We thought we would show people how beautiful Jordan is.

The Sukh...

Yesterday, we went to explore the delights of Zarqa.  After trying out our very limited Arabic, we spoke to a shopkeeper to get directions to a place that we had been to previously.  Trusting his every word, we flagged down a taxi driver to take us to the place, we thought we were going to.  After 5 minutes of being in the taxi, with not a word said between the taxi driver and us, we were unable to recognise the surrounding area.  Now I am a bit of a optimist and when looking over my shoulder to see if Abi was OK, the look of fear of being lost rippled over her face.  Oops, my "It'll be fine" attitude may have got us into some bother.... Well we arrived at the Main street in Zarqa, right in the middle of the 'Sukh' (not where we thought we'd asked to go).  This is a tradition Arab-style market, with streets and streets of people selling an array of different things.

We arrived at a shop, which looked pokey from the outside,  as the owner took us in, we took some steps downstairs and entered into an Aladdin's cave, with all sorts to buy - from a range of cheap tacky products to ornate things, including a Grandfather clock.  We were looking for some storage to organise our things.  Everything was priced using Arabic numerals, which we haven't learnt yet, so we attempted to ask for prices with the little Arabic we've picked up, and the shopkeeper responded appropriately so we must have been on the right lines :)  After a little bartering we left the shop with 3 sets of plastic drawers, a "Quality Wardrobe" and some hangers.  We called over a taxi driver who spent the next 15 minutes, along with the shopkeeper, attempting to fit our shopping in.  It was eventually achieved with 2 sets of drawers sticking out the boot, one on the back seat, with the flat pack wardrobe fitted in on top.  George and Abi then squeezed in what was left of the back seat (the door only just closed), Richard and Lilian in the front next to the driver.

Back at home Abi cleans the plastic drawers and they go into the children's room ready to be filled.  Then onto this "Quality Wardrobe"....  In the UK they could be done under the trade description act as the "Large full hanging space" would only apply if it was designed for children, and the "firm and exquisite steel piping frame" is not much to be desired.  However, it fitted together well and serves it's purpose, it even acts as a leaning post (see pic) LOL.

Authors: R.J.E. and A.E.

Written in a Sandstorm

8.15pm, Jordan Time.  As I write this the children have finally settled (despite finding it difficult to wake in the morning, Lilian's mind is too active to allow her to fall asleep easily in the night.  And George needed a nap after school today to avoid him falling asleep in his dinner again).  Spoke too soon - George just walked through the lounge door!!  Maybe we need to try a shorter nap tomorrow.

Heard a sandstorm hit the house a few moments ago.  Glad I'm not outside in it. In a matter of an hour we went from seeing the very scenic view of the hills beyond Zarqa, to watching a thick wall of sand blowing towards us. It's a new experience to add to the list, we've never seen a sandstorm before, praying for rain to dampen it down before we have to walk in the dust in the morning.  Imagine - we pray for rain and are grateful when it's cloudy, the opposite to our prayers in Wales when we prayed for it to stop raining and begged for the sun to break through the dark grey clouds.  It's not even summer yet, only a spring day with a high of 32 degrees Celsius today!  Thankfully the buildings are build well to keep the heat out, so it's not unbearable yet... I think we might melt in a few weeks/months as it gets hotter.

First Day of School

After a restful 4 days, with us just adjusting to life in Jordan, we have found ourselves waking up at 5.50am to start the day and prepare to go to the school. The day is greeted with a beautiful sunrise that quiet frankly blinds us. First order of the day 2 cups of tea for Abi and a strong black coffee for Richard!

We have known that the transition from the UK to Jordan was not going to be easy and particularly as Lilian has felt quite anxious about being away from family and friends. However the walk into the school this morning was with minimal moan and groan, and both children ran into school as they came through the school gates.

For the rest of the day, here is a summary from both of us:-

Abi

I have experienced an anxious anticipation in the few days leading up to today and a deeper feeling of inadequacy for this role I have been placed in, however this morning as we prayed these feelings were overridden by excitement and a more joyful anticipation for the role I have been given and the people I have now met.  Both staff and children have been very welcoming, and for the most today I just observed the classroom and assisted Lilian and George in their process of settling in (read their bits to find out more...)

Richard

Not having a job is something that I have not experienced in my life and the idea of "just" looking after the children has seemed quite a fun prospect, though after a few days, I have concluded that my wife is a super hero!!!!

The main part of my day has been spent shopping for both the school and home. Fraser's trusted taxi driver, Osama has been great, showing me where to go and where to definitely not go.  Visiting some of the stores brought an element of reality, as they had no electronic signs, no real sense of commercialism and not many home comfort foods. All the people we met were really friendly and appreciated the custom.

George

George got stuck straight in, choosing to mostly participate in activities he was familiar with. (In the Montessori environment the children have a wide range of activities to choose from, each activity builds skills of one variety or another, but the point is the child is the one who decides what they would like to work on today).  George went from completing one activity to another with a beaming smile on his face, demonstrating his eagerness to get stuck in and his readiness to learn.  He did puzzles, practices using a magnet, carried out pouring exercises, helped himself to snack, transferred small balls from one container to another, and much more...  He really enjoyed playing and working in the classroom, and fell asleep eating his dinner at 5:30pm showing how hard he's worked today!

Lilian

Lilian woke last night with a deep unrest and anxiety about today.  She didn't want to attend this morning as she anticipated the new experience today would bring but couldn't process what this would be like.  She took some time to settle in to the class room, clinging to Mum much of the time initially, that was until two sweet little girls went out of their way to ensure she felt welcome and drew her pictures which began to put her at ease.  As Lilian worked in the English centre of the classroom she enjoyed her work, discovering new ways of practicing to read with Mrs Puanana.  She is now excited about another day at school tomorrow!