First Full Day in Jordan

I only have two days here, so I need to make the most of them. The plan is to visit schools tomorrow, so I decided to do a little sight seeing today, then hook up with friends later for a visit. I began my day by having a wonderful Jordanian breakfast. The second taxi driver of the day before gave me his number, so I called him to ask for a lift into town. He dropped me at the Citadel, agreeing to pick me up at King Hussein Mosque 3 hours later. What a change in the area! In just two years the Citadel has been transformed. I still recognized and remembered the temple of Zeus and the Umayyad Mosque, but much of the rubble had been cleared away and the paths and informative plaques were all new. So, too, was the museum displaying many fine artifacts from the early neolithic up through King David's time. When I get back to the monastery and my camera chord, I'll download and add the pictures. The view from the Citadel is panoramic, and the city lay out below, a pale jumble of minarets and apartments. But there was no call to prayer, as I stood looking out over Amman, and I missed it. I walked down the hill towards the Roman amphitheatre, which was much as I remembered, and the souk next to King Hussein Mosque. The souk is a crowded warren of stalls, shoved higgeldy piggledy into the space next to and behind the shops and mosque. I jostled my way through, looking for a snack, but not finding anything I was really interested in until I reached the apothecary/spice shop directly next to the mosque. There I found some zatar and made my purchase. I'm not sure how long it will keep double wrapped in plastic. I'll have to check to see if there is a recipe for it in my cookbook. Tired, but ready to head back, I awaited Rami, who promptly picked me up and delivered me back at my hotel. A call from Hiyam later woke me, and I met her and her husband downstairs for coffee and a visit. Mustafa was unable to join us due to car issues. I hadn't met her delightful husband yet, nor seen her beautiful baby boy. When last I saw Hiyam, she was pregnant with him, and not feeling too well. She's hoping to return to the US next fall for more study, and we joked that she might return pregnant yet again. Her baby is adorable. I knew I had a long day the next day, and Hiyam and her husband live an hour from Amman, so we made it an early night. Travel home to Beirut, then US tomorrow!