Family history

I know Jordan is next to Israel and Dead Sea divides them. What I did not put together until now is that modern day Israel used to be Palestine and I will be less than a hundred miles from where my grandfather trained during World War 2. I am glad to have the opportunity to come so near and about a month later to travel the land of my namesake.

This is about close to Iraq as I will ever get

This weekend Stefanie and I are going to visit one of the seven new wonders of the world. Early Saturday morning I fly into Amman, Jordan via Dubai. I planned my arrival to Jordan so I could have everything arranged and ready before she arrives plus extra time in case I am my delayed.

However, HER flight was delayed so my time cushion grew. I will have almost 12 hours in Amman so I will go sightseeing! Jordanian food has a great reputation for being amazing so I will get an early start by trying a couple restaurants over the 12 hours. Next I hope to tour the Jordan Archeological Museum. Amman's name in Roman times was Philadelphia? I'm so excited. I will be bouncing in my cubicle in anticipation over the next two days!!

Information on Amman
Petra location

Making plans for Krakow

Even though Stefanie and I will be in Jordan with weekend I am making reservations for my trip to Poland! My apartment is down the street from Hotel Elektor. I will walk every single meter of Krakow Market Square and surrounding area.
Jana Lux Apartments

I do not speak Gujarati

It is not uncommon for someone to approach me and start gabbing away in Hindi or Gujarati. I will politely tell them I speak English and from the United States. They usually respond with "ahh" and do their head shake. Today I was eating powa like I do every morning and a couple on their scooter stop to ask for directions (or at least that is what I thought they were asking me. I just gave them a head shake as I was chewing and they left). Minutes later when I got up to get my second plate (a plate is about the size of a CD) and the women who was standing waiting for the bus took my stoop! Since I had a pretty sweet spot that was in the shade (which is important as it is already 90 deg at 9 am) I sat close to her attempting to steal some of my shade back. She went off in full rapid fire Gujarati (or Hindi I'm not sure) and made a "2" motion with her fingers. I am guessing she was calling me fat and that I did not need a 2nd plate of powa. Either way I told her I speak English and that I am from the United States. Oh that did not stop her. She kept gabbing away about something so I kept talking back. I had fun. I paid my bill (Rs. 10 or $0.20) and I left.

Skinny's pup

I know I have not blogged on this, but I feed Skinny's pups as well as Skinny. Her litter must have been born around the time I arrived in India. There were at least 4 because I could see them from my balcony. When I started feeding Skinny her pups would come by and I would feed them too. By this point there are only 3 pups.

When I started feeding them they were probably between 6 and 8 weeks old. Fun puppy times. Now they are 12 to 14 weeks so they are beginning to lengthen out and get taller. The other day I was waiting for Nick outside my apartment because we were going to get powa for breakfast. I noticed one of the pups dash across the street and start army crawling under a gate. I kept an eye on her since the gate look REALLY low to ground, but she is small so I thought she would be fine.

The pup is just about under the gate when I hear a high pitched scream. I look closer and sure enough the puppy is screaming her head off because her lower leg got caught and she was stuck. I immediately ran across the street and gently unhooked her leg. Her entire pack ran to her assistance before I got there but it is not like they could unhook her. Skinny put her muzzle in my hand afterwards and then Nick showed up so we went to grab breakfast.

This morning I went to feed the dogs and the pup who caught her leg wouldn't come over to me. The other two were feeding and Skinny had her fill too. I was wondering if the puppy thought I was the one who hurt her to explain to myself why she was standing away. She was just standing there at a distance watching me. Then I saw her take a few steps; not moving any closer but to the side. Broken leg. Her leg is just hanging there and it wasn't moving. I wonder when I will only see 2 puppies.