I really don’t know how I could ever get by without a holiday in the beginning of the month – working in a place that celebrates both Islamic and Christian holidays is great for getting more time to explore Amman and the surrounding areas. We are all going out to Hashim tonight – a good local spot to eat in downtown Amman – then wandering the streets and taking in the holiday atmosphere, which includes a lot of shopping at higher than usual prices! Usually Saturday night is like a Sunday night at home – somewhat mellow due to the work week starting on a Sunday – but not when there is a long week of holidays stretching before us.
I feel much better too because we got through a night without water, but today I was able to have a shower… something that luckily is not so uncommon, and we now know the way to refill the tank, so we are more informed for next time.
As far as I have been able to gather, the tradition here is that this is a holiday of family, and part of the culture is the slaughter of a sheep for all to eat on the Monday of Eid. On the way home from work on Thursday, we passed more than a few temporary sheep pens (almost like boyscout Christmas tree vendors) in preparation for this annual event. In the malls here, on one side of the escalator is a display that rivals any mall in Canada for traditional Christmas cheer, and the other sported evergreens covered in… you guessed it, sheep! There were sheep pens under the tree where presents should be, and sheep ornaments all over the branches. It was so funny (and somewhat morbid), we took pictures of it – I promise I will post these in the next few days.
Its interesting how cultures intertwine and inform the displays and buying behaviour of thousands… it always seems that corporate America comes out on top when you see that any holiday results in filled stores and food courts, and here is no exception – the malls and food are significantly more expensive than home for the same labels. This is not a deterrent for the eager thousands that are shopping in the two largest malls I have ever seen… places that didn’t even exist a couple of years ago; it really is quite amazing, and is probably the thing I expected the least thus far.
I’m hoping the prices for shopping in the small local spots aren’t hiked too much because I am getting the itch to go spend some money tonight! They are the places that hold a bit more authenticity and stuff I would never really see at home; beautiful decorative shawls, pashminas etc. It will be nice to go and spend a night out too – we haven’t really done this much since we got here, as we are still getting the lay of the land, but this week will be a great time to really put the time in and familiarize myself with things beyond whats on the way to and from work. Will let you all know about the adventures we get up to later…
