In Jordan

I've been in Jordan for a few days now. The first night I stayed at the hotel of a friend of a friend. It was a nice night. I talked with some french travelers that were on their way to Thailand and Myanmar, and spent a lot of time the next morning trying to communicate with some Arab teenagers that spoke virtually no English (called Ingileeze in Arabic).

The person that I've been staying with since then, Raed, has been awsome in a "The Godfather" like way. He is obviously tremendously well connected, and while is a business man by profession, spends a large part of his daily life getting favors done for people. Got your car repossessed? Have a GPA that is not to your liking? Need a visa? Have awful credit? Trouble with the law? Raed's your man. His English is very good since he lived in Canada for a number of years which is where his brothers live. He is the sort of man that puts a lot of pride and dignity into the way he carries himself. He has been in a suit the entire time we've been here.

He has been tremendous to me. I wish I knew more Arabic so I could beat him to the taxi fare or check once in a while.

We stayed with a friend of his the last couple nights. It wasn't till the next morning that Raed told me that his wife is currently in the hospital after having had a newborn baby. It struck me as especially strange, just because his friend, Suleiman seemed like the consummate bachelor, loud and boisterous, welcoming in an informal and a manner that conveyed a freedom from responsibility.

I have gathered that the distinction between male and female society is a very distinct one.

I'll write more later...
ps the hummus and falafel is very good.