Mr. Hakel Goes to Dinner...

Here’s the evening update. This afternoon we sat for a couple hours at a very large sidewalk café under a huge red awning for shade along with maybe a hundred Jordanians as we all watched Germany take down Argentina. The crowd was mostly cheering for Argentina. I was told that in general Jordanians will cheer for the non-european teams. Nevertheless; there were a number of Germany supporters. I’d to describe the scene if I could a nice breeze was blowing but it was still quite warm. We were seated in comfortable wooden patio-type chairs that had thick cushions. We were watching a wide-screen television. The commentary was of course in Arabic and the commentators excitement plus his use of what sounds to me like an extremely rapid language actually lent an energizing tone. I’ll try to link some audio I got from the match so you can hear what I mean. I had my second cup of Turkish coffee there. Turkish coffee medium sweet is actually quite tasty. The second cup I had was actually quite different from the first. There were some ardent Argentina fans there, there were Jordanian boys wearing jerseys and blue and white wigs and yes, face paint. Also many people, men and women, were smoking from a hookah. The smoke actually had a rather pleasing aroma. I did not try it. Apparently, I’ll have an opportunity at some point and I guess I’ll try it just to say I did. Nearly all of the women I’ve seen so far have their heads covered in some way. Occasionally, it is just a ball cap, but usually it is what we are familiar with seeing, the hijab. It was an exciting way to watch a game.

Then we went to dinner at a wonderful restaurant in West Amman. The English name is Don Quixote, well I guess that’s actually Spanish isn’t it? Anyway, we entered the building and the remerged into a beautiful courtyard completely covered with a black draping awning. The tables were all a big heavy dark wood and each had a large brass platter embedded in the center. All the food was served family style from this platter. I’d been somewhat worried that I wouldn’t find a lot of food I liked. I mean I have had plenty of gyros over the years, but I didn’t think that was the sum of Arabic food. I am no longer worried. I liked everything I ate. It was wonderful. I’ll put a picture up of t hat when I get the chance. I wish I could have you all there to experience it. The service was wonderful, the sights, the sounds, the smells were all pleasing. There were small quantities of so many different foods that we all left quite full. The final course was watermelon. I’m sure we won’t eat this well every night, at least I hope not or my plan to lose some weight while here will be doomed.
So that’s the rest of the experience for today. I feel quite good now about being here, I will admit that, as open to new cultures and experiences as I believe myself to be, I’ve been a bit nervous anyway.
Asalaamaleikum,
Dad/Lane/Mr. Hakel