This country is CRAZY. We will be driving down what is the equivalent to Lake Shore Drive and see people walking on the road, sometimes even trying to cross it. Little boys and girls run around highways playing with their toy cars on the median. And very little English... everywhere you go. We are easily spotted as foreigners by our backpacks, clothing, and natural way we carry ourselves.

Since Jordan is a Kingdom, the King's picture is EVERYWHERE (sometimes a single building will have 2 or 3 of his picture), always waving or smiling at his people. It makes me want to meet him! Have you ever seen that Travel Channel special where the Prince (now the King) took the viewers around Jordan?

Being in a Muslim country, most women wear hijabs (the head coverings) and aren't really out and about doing whatever they want whenever they want so Lizzie and I really stick out in that sense. We are woken every morning at sunrise for prayers that are speakerphoned from Mosques throughout the land that happen again 4 other times a day, the last one ending at dusk.

The food here is so yummy! Since I love Indian and Greek food and have been eating Tina's Nana's food for the past 4 years, I am adapting well to the constant hummus, tea, tabulleh, and coffee. Every house we go to we are served tea and coffee (like little bitter shots) at least 3 or 4 different times.

So far we have seen a lot of Roman Empire ruins that sit within the confines of the city, from columns to arches, lots of rubble. It makes me realllyyy want to see Italy and Greece next! We also made it to the Jordan River where Jesus was Baptized! Putting my hands into that water was so calming and peaceful that you almost forget that their was an armed military man not too far off protecting us from any conflict that might arise as the Israeli border was just across the River. We also saw where Elijah ascended into Heaven and swam in the Dead Sea!! There is SO much salt in the Dead Sea that you can't even swim, all you do is float, whether you like it or not! I got the littlest splash of water in my eye and cried for like 5 minutes because of how much it burned!

Sorry to Adam and Erin for missing your birthdays, I hope it was more than spectacular!!! New Year's here was not too big of a deal, except we ate dinner at this really affluent person's house who served us two turkeys and a lamb among other things. I am kind of bummed I missed watching the ball drop in different countries on TV.. oh well!