Challenging My Assumptions
It’s been 2 weeks since I returned to my normal life. But questions of what “normal” means have been plaguing me since my Wadi Rum tour.
“If you made me a king,” Mosalem, our Bedouin host, said, “And […]
How Wadi Rum Was Transformed Into The Alien Planet Of Prometheus
Understandably, Ridley Scott has fallen in love with Wadi Rum, Jordan. The special effects team for his film “Prometheus” actually began their work based on his drawing of the majestic desert landscape.
Here’s a video of how that team turned […]
Eating Kershat in Jordan
When traveling, an opportunity often arises to do something outside your comfort zone.
At these moments, I’ve found it helpful to tell myself: “I will not be denied this experience!”… then dive in.
There are certain culinary adventures that travelers don’t […]
“My Deep Condolences”; A Muslim Responds to the Boston Marathon Attack
This morning I learned of the bombing that took place at the Boston Marathon. As the world was wondering who was responsible, I received the below email from a friend of mine here in Jordan:
Dear Jon,
How are you? I hope […]
Cultural Interaction in a Jordanian Kitchen
The unexpected and unscripted moments are often when some of the most significant travel memories are experienced.
Our guests had a son studying Arabic abroad at a Jordanian university and his family took advantage of this opportunity to […]
4 Arabic Phrases For President Obama To Use While Traveling To Jordan
President Obama,
You know that the right words make all the difference. Well, we want to give you the inside scoop on a few terms to learn for your upcoming Jordan trip.
Just think, you could be the first president to […]
35 Tomatoes in Jordan
35 Tomatoes, 69 Cucumbers, 37 Oranges, & 60 Cookies. A total of 201 items.
We recently invited our friend Mohammad and his family (three daughters & his wife) to our house for lunch. Our experience living in Jordan has proven […]
Disarm Yourself Through Travel
The way I see the world was radically changed by having a real conversation with my enemy.
During my University days, I was invited by a Muslim classmate to attend a Ramadan fast breaking meal at the local mosque. Considering […]
What to Wear When Traveling to Jordan
You’ve been counting down the days until you embark on your epic Jordan tour. The time has finally arrived that many dread…it’s time to pack. You are only visiting for a week and you […]
Arabic and the Sway of a Story
Masters of the spoken word, Arabs possess the ability to string together a sequence of verses that rival any in its splendor. The nature of the Arabic language allows for the creation of beautiful […]









