Photos by Bailey Melton, (Columbus State University), Student Correspondent for CET Jordan, Summer 2022
In Jordan, cafés are located on every corner it seems! This café, Lavista, was located in the Al-Amir Hamzah neighborhood in Amman. the Lavista café was floral-themed and absolutely beautiful. I was able to visit this café with my language partner, Zaina, during our first outing together.
During our class, not only are we learning the Arabic language, but we are also learning about Jordanian culture, which includes talking a lot about food! During one of the class sessions, we got to learn how to make فتوش (Fattoush), a traditional salad from the Levant. During this class, we learned the different names for all the greens and vegetables that we used to make the Fattoush.
In Amman, most people live in apartments. Because of this, there are not a lot of “backyards,” like a lot of Americans are accustomed to. In these apartment complexes, usually, the ground-level apartment(s) have some sort of courtyard/outdoor area. A lot of families have decided to grow gardens or flower beds in these courtyards. There are quite a few plant nurseries in Amman, with one being located right up the road from CET housing!
Pictured here is the Jordanian national dish, منسف (Mansaf). A lamb dish served with rice, my roommates were able to learn how to make this traditional Jordanian dish with their language partners. Language partners are a great way to experience Jordanian culture and traditions, and they are also your best resources on what to do in Amman and Jordan as a whole!
This photo was taken at night on Rainbow Street. Rainbow street is a popular site in downtown Amman, specifically the Jabal neighborhood. Here you will find all sorts of attractions, from rooftop restaurants to gift shops. This spot definitely needs to be on your to-do list when you come to Amman!
During the semester, CET plans outings to supplement what we are learning in class. This semester we visited the Omar Zorba Café, a popular café located in the Ras Al-Ein neighborhood. This was one of the entrances to Omar Zorba and these might have been the tallest doors I have ever seen.
We got breakfast while at the café, and like all Jordanian meals, there was a ton of food and this is only half of our table. In addition to traditional food like hummus, beans, and garlic dip, we also had pizza, for breakfast! I felt right at home!
After visiting many different restaurants and cafes while I have been in Amman, I recognized that people really like to be extravagant with their restrooms here in Amman. This was at Omar Zorba and it is just one of many selfies mirrors I have seen in Amman.
In Jordan, فلافل (falafel) is a staple of traditional Jordanian food, and while in Amman you can find the best falafel sandwich of your left and just pay just half a dinar. Another staple with most meals is the garlic dressing that is pictured here next to the falafel. The first time I tried the garlic sauce I thought it was ranch because it came with fries. While this sauce was a surprise the first time I had it, it is much better than ranch, 10/10 recommend it!
In Amman, you will find multiple multi-story malls. Within walking distance of CET, you have the Galleria Mall and the alBaraka Mall. Pictured here is the City Mall, which is about a 10-minute Uber ride from our apartments. I will say that City Mall is probably my favorite and it has solely to do with the fact the زهرة عباد الشمس (sunflowers) are a part of the décor and hanging from the ceiling.
Feature Photo Caption:
Taken right when the sun was about to disappear behind the skyline of Amman. In Amman, the sun starts to set around 7:45 pm, but the nightlife is still vibrant. According to my Jordanian friends, the nightlife in Amman is not quite back to pre-Covid times, but it is on its way!