Level 4 Arabic

Whoa! I just found out that I tested into level 4 Arabic classes at Qasid Institute. That's a level higher than I expected so I guess I may know more than I think. Anyways, I am very excited, happy, and looking forward to starting class tomorrow. Things are going well here. Each day is a new adventure, walking to this place or that place to buy things for the apartment or discovering a new restaurant within walking distance of our apartment. We probably walk at least an hour each day to Qasid, which is a 30 minute walk or to some other random location in search of food or supplies. I feel like my street Arabic is improving each day as I try to speak with random shop keepers. It doesn't always go flawlessly by any means, but I manage to get my point across and I feel more comfortable speaking with locals each day.

I think Ramadan is great in the lesson it seeks to teach people, which is to identify with people who are poor and have to do without food each day. However, I am looking forward to being able to each and drink during the day in public. Most shops stay closed until about 5PM, when people being buying supplies to break the fast at approximately 7PM. Then, people stay up until about 3 or 4AM. We found this out a few days ago when my friend Amin said he was coming to visit me at 9PM. I thought that was a bit late for a visit and Melanie was in her pajamas already. When he arrived, he said we were going out so Melanie and I got dressed and Amin and his cousin, Hammad drove us all around Amman until about 3:20AM. He showed us some cool places, including the Safeway, which has about any American food item or product you might want. They also introduced us to a good sandwich restaurant that is within walking distance of our place. When I was here last time, I only ate chicken kabobs or ground lamb kabobs. These guys at the restaurant have made sandwiches out of my favorite meals, which I think is great! Well, we are at an Internet cafe, although we hope to have our own Internet soon. Sorry I haven't spoken much about our apartment. Check the link to Melanie's blog for information on that kind of stuff. Good night.