Yesterday, I received residency.
How I feel about it hasn't sunk in yet. Today, I spent the lion's share of the day getting my 10-year Jordanian driver's license. I am now as fully incorporated into Jordanian life as fully as I can be. This means that instead of paying 50 JD to get into Petra, I now pay 1 JD. That is quite a significant reduction. I also have a personal telephone and a separate business mobile phone. It is a lot of work getting a little bit done.
I must say that Jordanian efficiency is pretty good. The officials are able to quickly direct people to the proper place. What surprises me is that the people don't stand in queues the way Americans do. Instead, the crowd around each other wanting to get their stuff done first. It is multi-tasking taken to the extreme. So, rather than having an official spend time with one person from start to finish, he or she has to fend off a multitude of offending questions. I just want to say, "Wait your turn." The officials do their best and they don't get angry, which is a great credit to them. It appears like mayhem at times, but it is not too far different from the way of our ours act.
Last night, I went with Fr. Al and Fr. Michael to Baraka Mall to the Prime Cinemas to watch the James Bond Skyfall. The cinema was very clean and very well appointed. We were all pleased because it is more comfortable than some U.S. theaters. I wish more people attended the movie, but it was a Monday night, which is the second work day of the week. It would be a slow movie-going night.
I was impressed with the movie. I like Daniel Craig more and more as Bond. In Casino Royale, he was a little bit more of a thug with no feelings. Not so in this film. He certainly showed he is a complex man with deep feelings. It was great to see the formative aspects of this character's life. I love the scenes of Scotland. (I have always liked rain. I miss it so much.) I was surprised at some of the scenes, but I should have been quicker on the analysis. I was very pleased with the whole experience.
Afterwards, we picked up a few items at Baraka Mall and had a coffee at Gloria Jean's. They do need to purchase decaffeinated coffee so I can get some sleep.
After a long day when I was ready to turn in, someone came to me to ask if he could begin a two-week retreat right now. What could I say? Yes, of course.
Now, I'm anxiously awaiting election results.
I do enjoy reading about your life in Jordan and hearing about the differences and similarities of life in the U.S. Especially interesting is the chaos that you described when people don't wait in line like we do and yet it is the way the job gets done. We, in North America and Europe I expect, want to have more control and be more organized but it sounds like things just happen in Jordan - like the unexpected retreatant.
ReplyDeleteYes, even we Canadians are waiting for the election results and are praying while we wait.
ah, the election results are in. It was nice to take a trip today to get our minds off the election. Our country is strong and will do well as we go 'forward.'
DeleteJohn,it's great to hear you have got through the officialdom so quickly.Those entrance fee perks are well worth it too. :-)) Glad you enjoyed Skyfall. You made me smile at the lack of people- I had to book for it three weeks ahead to see it on the first night in our local cinema and it has broken box office records already in the UK.:-)) I agree with you on Daniel Craig and for me this is the best Bond I have seen so far.In the last two I found the jagged rapid switch cinematography just too much for my brain, but this one seemed to have stepped back from thatsomewhat, without affecting the suspense. I really liked Ben Whishaw as the new Q.He is a fine actor and you might enjoy this piece http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/jamesbond/9631242/Ben-Whishaw-on-playing-Q-in-Skyfall-I-dont-even-have-a-computer.html.
ReplyDeleteInteresting on the queueing system !! I'm glad the officials are patient.It took me ages to the Malawian lines and slow processing of anything official. Everything was done by hand!!
I can imagine the coffee is like rocket fuel in Jordan; great in the morning but a disaster as a night time drink. Can you wean yourself onto hot chocolate ( if they do it) at night instead ?
Commiserations on the retreat demand. I can't think of that happening here unless drink was involved !! It is just midnight here and I am watching the BBC coverage of the US election. It is certainly tight from all the reports here and the turn out is very high- good or bad for Obama I'm not sure ? It's going to be a long and tense night. I'd like to stay up for all of it but I may not be able - Blessings
Good to skype with you tonight, Phil. Yes, all seems to be moving into place fairly easily. Yes, I think there were 8 other people in this enormous theater with us. I think that most watch pirated copies that they can pick up on the street after a few months. Craig is doing a great job. I don't think he smoked in this one. I like how they fleshed out his story much more. I'm saddened about M, but the details spelled it out for me if I paid attention. I like her character. i'll read the article about Q too.
DeleteThe coffee here is quite good. I do have some decaf "Nescafe" as they call it so I try to have that as much as possible. If Gloria Jean's had it, I would have taken it without hesitation, but in trying to be social, I gave in to social conventions. I'm tired now and ought to be in bed because I only have four hours of sleep last night.
I'm delighted to be giving retreats because it is enlivening for me. I'm glad to be of assistance to anyone, however, late night stuff will soon end.
I am glad that it is all falling into place. As you know, I am having a vicarious and delightful time hearing about your life in a place that I love! And I only spent a week there!
ReplyDeleteTrivia: I have never, ever seen one James Bond film!
Fran, you might like to see this Bond film. It was different from others and very moving.
DeleteI'm glad you are reliving your time here in Amman. You'll have to come back and experience more of it.