I made it!

Salaam allahykum.

Well, here I am, typing away under the covers of my new bed so I don't disturb my adorable new little sister, Joud Al'araj.

After an uneventful morning of watching 'The Godfather' and eating waffles, I headed to the airport with my entourage. I miss my family already, but I did my best to keep the good-byes short and sweet. No use dragging that stuff out. Upon entering the airport I immediately binged myself on some fast food and then set about mentally preparing for 16 hours (total) in an airplane. The trans-atlantic flight was actually pretty swell. I watched Juno for the 2894492837th time, listened to my i-pod, and enjoyed my new age (21) by ordering a big old glass of wine and then conking out for the rest of the flight. Also, they served me paneer with chicken curry for dinner! It was FABULOUS.

Once I landed in Kuwait, things got hairy. People kept telling me that my "booking had been cancelled", and sending me to various help counters (I must have walked that entire airport at least five times). Finally, I ended up begging the man at the gate. I showed him my passport, my itinerary WITH the KWI-AMM flight on it, and my baggage tag which showed that even though I wasn't in Amman yet, my luggage was. He was an absolute angel about it and was able to just give me a handwritten boarding pass on the spot. It all turned out okay, but....F*** YOU, TRAVELOCITY.COM.

My host mother is wonderful. Manal (sp?) Al'araj is the most hospitable woman I have ever met. She has pretty much devoted every second of her time since I got here to meeting my every need/want. It's gotten to the point where I'm starting to feel slightly guilty, almost. My new home is in a VERY nice apartment complex just a couple blocks from a shopping mall. It's beautiful inside - and the best part - wireless internet!! My new little brother and sister are ADORABLE. Mahmoud, the oldest, promptly presented me with a baby chick upon my arrival (how long his mother is going to let him keep it running around her upscale apartment is beyond me). Joud has so many questions for me about my life in America that I can hardly keep up. She already wants me to take her shopping tomorrow.

I am ALREADY learning some Arabic just by being around my family. New words under my belt include: please, thank-you, no problem, bathroom, and beautiful. P.S. - one of the first things my new mom told me was that I was very beautiful. It was a nice way to be welcomed.

Tomorrow, I have orientation at 9 AM, so I should wrap this post up. I love and miss whoever is reading this and I cannot WAIT to start some photography.

ma-salaama,

Kaye.