Ma Salaama Urdun!

As I leave Jordan behind for the francophone, sweltering streets of Morocco, a few parting thoughts....

Far from the "Kingdom of Boredom," the Kingdom of Jordan has a heck of a lot to offer. I think it gets a bad rap because the city of Amman is so sprawling and everything is so spread apart, a layout that makes "cafe crawls" fairly inconvenient for tourists. But once you know the ropes, you can seek out innumearable places to relax, see and be seen :-).

This recent article is an interesting overview of dynamics afoot in Jordan that I've tried to describe. Given Jordan's security, relatively stable economy, moderate (domestic) Islamists and modern monarch, it will be a rising star (or crescent moon?) in the Levant.

ciao for now Jordan! see you in morocco!

Ramadan Karim

Twas the night before Ramadan and all through the city
All the people were stirring, all the mobiles were busy

Fireworks abounded, radios blared the good news
The moon had been sighted, groceries filled up with queues

Houses adorned with bright crescents and stars
Marked the families prepared for sawm and iftars

Though most were excited, some let loose a yawn
At the thought of a 3:30 meal before dawn

It's amazing to think more than one billion partake
In a month long abstention while the sun is awake

As a non-Muslim here I will "fast" with respect to
Eating or drinking in public view

But for genuine fasting, my stomach will reign supreme
The extent of my involvement will be wishing others, "Ramadan Karim!"

:-)

For a quick overview of this year's Ramadan and its significance in Islam, click here

sawm - daylight fast
iftar - meal that breaks the fast at dusk