Chimping

2005-09-06T21:22:00.000+03:00

Islamic Architecture In Egypt

This is the Ibn Tulun masjid located in Cairo, Egypt. Being from the United States, everything is relatively new compared with everywhere else in the world that one could travel to. I think to date Cairo may be the oldest city that I have traveled to. You can feel the history in the air as soon as you arrive. More photos to come...

2005-09-05T09:37:00.000+03:00

I was bored last night, so this is what you're getting...

Sometimes I just can't seem to find anything interesting to shoot in this city, but I'm trying...

2005-09-02T07:04:00.000+03:00

I'm Back!!! Yeah!!!!!!

I know, it’s been a while. I had many other tasks lately, and had no time to take photos; plus it’s really hot, and I am after all a pale white boy who doesn’t feel like looking like a lobster after spending the entire day outside.

These photos are of my work colleague who wanted me to teach him how to use his old 70’s camera. If you look closely, you’ll find me in one of the shots.

2005-08-17T17:16:00.000+03:00

TYPICAL!!!!!!!

Ok, so as you can see I've had an accident and am not to happy about it.

Wheverever you go in the Arab world, it seems that everything just goes wrong in some way. For instance, when going out to any restaurant (even Western ones) you can't rely on the fact that you'll actually receive the food that you’re
ordered. Ex 1; the other day I ordered a Cheese burger at Hardees, and asked for no mayo; I even took the time to look at the receipt to ensure that the no mayo had been posted on the ticket, it was. When I received my burger, it had EXTRA MAYO! Ex 2: I went to a small restaurant to watch this weekends Arsenal/Newcastle match, I then order a vanilla milkshake. The bus boy delivers a vanilla milkshake (WOW) of course they've added pistachios; he takes it back after I request a vanilla one. The original waiter comes back with the original tainted milkshake and tells me that I have no idea what I'm talking about, this is a vanilla milkshake, I tell him, "No, it's a vanilla milkshake with pistachios." The funny thing is, wherever you go, your order will always be wrong, yet, they feel you should be happy about it and accept whatever it is that they've given you.

This brings me to my wonderfully great news about my new bed. Yesterday I decide after 9 months of sleeping on a thin foam mattress, it was time to join the bed sleeping community. I can't begin to tell you how excited I was about my new acquisition. I flew home, and put it right together, grabbed my roommate and basked in his amazement over my new bed; that didn't last for long.

Last night I was doing my Arabic homework while laying on one side of my bed. I then decided to close my curtains before taking a short nap. Now, the fastest route to my window was a quick roll off the bed and TADA! I've arrived at my window! Before I ever made it to the side of my bed, the frame cracked in half, and my less than day old bed was BROKEN!!!!

The only joy I had out of the ordeal was my cat whom (yes, I do believe my cat to be a person) decided to investigate what had gone wrong. While sniffing the wooden planks, she decides that it was TYPICAL shoddy Arab craftsmanship. Thank you Neko....

2005-08-14T13:32:00.000+03:00

No matter what time of the night, you can always find a friendly vendor out there trying to make a living. When it comes to taking care of one's responsibilities, the Americans have a thing or two to learn from the Arabs.

2005-08-10T12:50:00.000+03:00

By Popular Request

I know, this may look gross to some, but people have been asking for a close up of the goats head. I hope you like it.

2005-08-09T12:40:00.000+03:00

What's this!!!?

Men at a traditional Jordanian wedding prepare to eat Manseef. As you can see, they are respected members of the wedding party, they have been given the head of one of the slaughtered goats as their meal. I was offered, but can honestly say I'm not going there...

2005-08-08T18:03:00.000+03:00

The Joker

I can't understand a word he says, but he still makes me laugh.

2005-08-07T16:28:00.000+03:00

Old Man In The Jordan Valley

I met this man at a traditional Jordanian wedding. Walking about an inch per 10 second interval, he was attempting to get me some tea; once again Arab hospitality out does anything I've ever experienced back in the States.

2005-08-06T11:28:00.000+03:00

What To Do

This young Palestinian boy has only known a life of occupation. His life has been restricted to his school and village. All he wants is to be able to visit his grandparents who live in Al Quds (Jerusalem) once more before they die. The problem is that he and his family are not allowed to visit them because they live in the West Bank, and West Bank Palestinians are not allowed to visit Al Quds.

2005-08-04T11:34:00.000+03:00

Leave Us II
Just behind the front line of Israeli soldiers, you'll always a group standing by with their "Crowd Control Sticks" waiting to "protect the Palestinians from themselves." Notice the Ethiopian soldier, they are the meanest of the bunch from my experience; their thirst to prove themselves is noticeable wherever they go.

2005-08-03T11:12:00.000+03:00

Leave Us

A group of Palestinians from a small village just outside Ramallah want to prevent the construction of the "separation barrier" that will cut them off from the rest of the West Bank, leaving them trapped in a "no mans land."

2005-08-02T06:17:00.000+03:00

Hot!!!

I think this poor girl received a really hot cup. I was almost trampled to death, thank god for my keen senses :)

2005-08-01T12:26:00.000+03:00

Ajloun Castle

My first trip to a castle was pretty fun. I think I may just go down to the Kerak castle after this experience. The coolest part of the tour was seeing where they (people within the castle) would lock the giant wooden doors, and then pour boiling hot oil down on any invaders that were trying to break through the door. Brilliant!!! I'm glad I live in a civilized world full of land mines and smart bombs, imagine boiling oil poured all over one's body, ouch... I wonder if the plastic surgeons back in L.A. could get rid of those scars.

2005-07-31T07:11:00.000+03:00

Carl's Jr.

Being away from the U.S. I sometimes crave places that remind me of home. I found the ultimate reminder the other day. My mom’s favorite fast food chain (do to cleanliness) is Carl's Jr. We have here in Amman a franchise of Carl's Jr. called Hardees (chain on the East coast that was bought out by Carl's Jr.). That famous Carl's Jr. Star always reminds me of my mommy...

2005-07-28T06:32:00.000+03:00

New Obsession

I can't go a day without buying a "cocktail" from any local juice stand that I may walk by throughout Amman. There's nothing like a fresh squeezed OJ or a blended Banana/Strawberry/Lemon cocktail. More to come on this subject.....

I won’t be posting for a couple days. I'm off to a remote village (I don't know the name) for my first Arab wedding experience. Stay tuned, there will be a photo essay of this trip on Sun.

2005-07-27T14:42:00.000+03:00

Egypts Finest

There's something different about these cops, oh, they dont eat donuts like their counterparts over in the U.S.; they're all fit, what an amazing concept.

2005-07-26T10:40:00.000+03:00

Global Village

On the outskirts of Amman, Jordan you'll find a summer festival every July. I'm not entirely sure what the name is in Arabic, but we (Westerners who live here) call it the "Global Village." The fair specializes in bringing together many of the different Islamic cultures that you'll find. From China to Senegal, just about every country is represented. I found the Pakistan and Indian sections to be the best; full of spices, carpets, and great food. If you're ever in Jordan on a steamy July evening, then this is a must for the entire family.

2005-07-25T12:42:00.000+03:00

Egyptian Workers in Jordan

Egyptians flow into Jordan by the thousands to find work. They are paid dirt cheap salaries, and are expected to work from sunup to sundown. Yet again, given all of the hardships, these men still invited me over for some tea and bread. I'm finding out there's nothing better than the Arab hospitality.