Taxis @ MindSay 
As a study abroad student it is impossible for taxis to not be a large part of stay here. Without a car and with the buses being a little too confusing and chaotic, I have had to use taxis for wherever I need to go; however, I am glad of this fact. Unlike in major American cities, the taxi fares in Amman are very good as a twenty minute ride is about $1.50. Additionally, the taxi drivers are usually very nice people. Only two or three out of the 100 or so that I have used since being here have been skeezy in terms of either taking me on a very roundabout route or overcharging me.
Additionally, riding in taxis has enabled to practice my Arabic much more frequently as the drivers always engage in conversation with me as they always think that I am Arab initially. I can now explain, quite well in Arabic, how I have liked my Jordanian study abroad experience. This was certainly a slow process as in September I could only state to the drivers where I wanted to go and tell them right, left, straight, and here; however, now I can have actual conversations with the drivers for the entirety of the drive – even when they last for twenty or thirty minutes. This fact even got me a free ride as one taxi driver would not even take my money on account of his being so impressed by my ability to speak the language.
Riding in taxis rather than buses also connects you with the city more as you are on the same level of the other automobiles on the road (save the Range Rovers, pick-up-trucks, and buses). The only big piece of advice I would give for those riding in taxis in Amman though is keep your hands and elbows in the car! It’s fine to roll down the window on a hot day, but Jordanian drivers frequently choose to ignore the lane markings on the road and often drive quite closely together. Either way though, taxis are certainly an aspect of Jordan that have added to the enjoyment and productiveness of my study abroad experience.
WHEN YOU COMPLETE AN GOOT INSULT; YOU GIT TO PIC THE INSULT FOR NEXT PERSON:
WHITE NY BANKER IN BRITTISH WORLD BANK GIT SICK
SO THE WITE BANKA WEN TO THE DOC
SIA SUMPM IS RONG DONT \NO WHAT I GOT
THE DOC SAY TAKE BUCKET , ON BUCKET YOU STOOP
THEN PISSS IN THE BUCKET , AND DROP IN SUM POOOP
THE WHIT BANKA SAY,NOW WHAT DO I DUU
"PUT HEAD IN THE BUKET AND SMELL OF DE FUMES
WHIT BAK\ER PAY BUT STILL HAD A GRIN
"YOU STUPIT WHITE BANKA, GO DOIT AGIN
WHITE BANKA SAY OK, AND STICK IN HIS HEAD
SMELLED OF THE FUMES TILL THE DOC THINK HE DEAD
WHIT BANKA GIT UP WIT SHITT ON HES CHIN
SAY "IT WORK GOOD" "CAN I DO IT AGIN"
NO ! YOU GO BACK YOUR BANK IN THE SKY
SPUPIE WHIT BANKA WIT SHIT IN YOU EYE
CAN I TAKE IT WIT ME, HERES 10,000 BUCKS
NO SAY DE DOC , YOU ARE SHIT OUT OF LUCK
I AM THE WHITE BANKER, DIS MONEIS IS REAL
TIS COVERED WIT BLOOD FROM THE PEOPLES WE KILL
AT LEAST TELL ME SECREAT, AND TELL ME PLEASE QUICK
"GO BAC TO YOU COUNTRY; YOU JUST BLOODY HOME SICK?
NEXT INSULT TO BE TOWARD THE JUDGE ON THE BENCH
There are other reasons for learning such a difficult language. I am a graduate student at the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO studying post-colonial history. The language skills will surely increase my prestige among my peers and advisors and increase my success in understanding the Arab point-of-view. (While the prestige might be unnecessary, it's always helpful.)
Arriving at the airport on Tuesday was painless. No authority searched my bags or even glanced my way. Only two men asked me if I needed a cab and the second offer I accepted. He walked me over to his boss and in traditional Egyptian style they wanted to chat before doing business. If I had been in America I would have complained of the useless chatting and I would be irritated. However, these men were very honest and the vibes were only good. When we finally got into the cab, the only frustration I experienced today occurred - traffic and heat at the same time. I arrived at 3pm and the heat was intense. My toenails were sweating and my long sleeve shirt was soaked. The cab driver naturally drove like a madman, as was every other driver in Egypt. For a few minutes I thought I’d be sick. I had only slept about 10 hours in 3 days and I was starving and dehydrated. I surely thought I’d lose my stomach in the back seat of his old Mercedes, but I closed my eyes and remembered to breathe and was fine - no puking.
After we crested the hill outside the airport, I got to view what was causing the terrible traffic jam. You're not going to believe this - there were about 40 men repaving the road. The production went something like this: 20 men were sitting on the road to be repaved using putty knives to scrape up the old tar; another 5 men were painting some spots on the road red with trim paintbrushes; the man operating the tar machine was asleep in the shadow of his truck's bumper; and the other 10 or so men were supervising, smoking, talking, and laughing under a nearby tree. My jaw dropped when I saw those men scraping up the road with their little flimsy knives. Nevertheless, the city is surprisingly modern - there are many buildings that could qualify as African skyscrapers.
The city, or the parts that I have seen so far which is few, is incredible. The people are all very friendly. I see women sitting at cafes together with no men present which tells me the country is more open than I previously thought. Tonight I went to the closest restaurant to my hotel and had amazing pesto pasta.
When I arrived at the very nice hotel stinking and looking like hell, the bellhop and manager were a bit rude and directed me to sit in a corner until they "found my reservation." In my traditional stern manner I demanded to know the problem, why many others came to the reservation counter and were immediately escorted to their rooms. I think the manger sensed I'd make a scene so he reluctantly assigned me a room. I tipped the bellhop well and showered. I threw on my elegant linen pants, modest black long-sleeved top, and a beautiful scarf. I put on a touch of make-up and made my hair look nice... Well, I was treated like a queen when I returned to the lobby. At first this upset me - we would call this discrimination in America. Then I realized that appearances are very important to Egyptians - they are full of pride with pressed shirts, khaki pants, and shined leather shoes. When I emerged from the elevator looking great, the hotel staff then realized I would not disgrace their hotel and treated me like a sister. This is fine with me - you know I think Americans dress like trash so I approve of this prideful aspect of Egyptian culture. While I was chatting with the bellhop about a good place to grub, a terribly trashy German couple emerged from the street, with the woman wearing a dirty, white, male undershirt and no bra - clearly a total lack of respect for the Egyptian people who have different requirements for dress and appearance. But don't get me wrong, I was surprised at how Egyptian women dressed - it's not as conservative as I believed it would be. Some wear knee-length skirts and short-sleeved shirts while some wear the hajib - and all the styles in-between.
The only offence I am concerned about is eating with my left hand - I am left-handed. Remember, Muslims only use their left hand in the restroom, so therefore think it a terribly awful offence to eat with your "dirty" hand. I'm sure I can change that minor habit. I was able to get by before in Morocco...
I’ve gotten very excited to learn Arabic. I want better communication with the people around me and I want to stand up for myself if ever necessary, although I think the latter will be unnecessary for Cairo is much safer than any comparable city of its size in America.
Thanks for logging on and stay tuned...