Mensef

My favorite Jordanian dish is mensef. I might even go as far to say it is my favorite dish in all the Arab world and that's saying alot. Mensef is the traditional Jordanian meal. It is served at weddings, parties, and funerals and unlike anything I've ever tasted. The rice is served on a huge platter and the meat placed on top. Along with that, the yogurt, in a big stovetop pan is on the side. With a ladel you pour as much yogurt as you want onto your section of the platter. The real Jordanian eats with his hands but me, with a spoon. One recipe includes yogurt made from stone, white yogurt, rice, onion, saffron, chicken or lamb, and toasted almonds. Basically you all the above except almonds until it's done. The yogurt from stone gives it a earthy, creamy taste but that doesn't even get close to describing it. I guess you will just have to make a trip out here to know for yourself.

pictures of our trip to antalya turkey

the was first a temple, then a church, then a mosque, then a church, then a mosque, then burnt



the old city


me and craigel



the only harbor into Antalya



set of stairs that most likely the apostle paul walked up as he entered the city


b-e-a-uuuuuuuuuutiful water



pebble beach


view from the apartment we stayed at, 10th floor with a very nice Welsh couple

Umm Zaytuna

A friend of ours took us on a day trip outside of Amman the other weekend. We ended up in a little village called Umm Zaytuna. This little village is on a mountain where on a good clear day you could see the Dead Sea. It was so beautiful, looking down in the valley and seeing the desert. I think the desert is beautiful because of the exposed land. There is nothing to cover up the flaws, it's vulnerable. Anywho, on the mountain it was slightly green and a few flowers were blooming. We enjoyed ourselves so much, hiking around and having a picnic. We came across a little cave that is a stable. I was nervous to walk in it as first but nothing scary was there. It was really cool to see because I'm sure it's exactly like the stable Jesus was born it, down to the smell, and mountains much the same as the ones the multitude of angels appeared and sang at. I felt the story come alive in those few minutes in that humble cave. What a reminder of what Jesus did for us! Really cool!!!

Fat people unite

The other day I was reading the Jordan Times newspaper, in which there was an article saying that about 80% of Jordanians are overweight or obese. This is about the same percentage as Americans. Yeeha, fatness loves company!
As the article progressed, they gave out a few hypothesis' of why Jordanians are becoming so fat (change of diet, lifestyle, etc.). What I found curious was what one professor gave as a solution to the problem, he said "All Arabs need to do is eat and live like they used to." Seriously, this is your solution! Let's just go back and live nomadic desert lifestyles, herd goats your whole life. Set your people back a hundred years, instead of educating them on nutrition and fitness.
I just found this whole thing silly, and realized that I could probably be some expert in this field of health...if only I wasn't so fat.

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Hey Friends,
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a nickname for craig

We had some friends over for dinner last night. Loads of fun! Our friends are a family of four, Rob and Lia and their kids Levi (3) and Koen (1). The kids ran around the house like crazy and dived off our couch onto the bean bags. Craig made calzones which were absolutely delicious. Toward the end of the night, Levi was becoming even more comfortable with Craig, tickling him and wanting to poke his belly. We found this very funny b/c Levi began calling Craig "belly guy." What a great name!! We'll add it to the list: hotpants, crack, craigers, craigel, bantalone harr, (he wants me to add stud muffin) and now BELLY GUY!
Below is a picture of Levi. Cute!

I went to a wedding a few months ago and thought I'd put some pictures of the event.