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Zaid's entry: I've been putting off going to the University of Jordan for a while but I did want to go there at some point. Today was the day. The main attractions that I wanted to see were the Museum of Archaeology and the Natural Heritage Museum. My Lonely Planet guide recommended the former but said there's not much going on in the latter...
So I set off a bit later in the morning. It took about 15 min. to get to the University from our place - it's a bit out of town in the north part of the city. The first thing I realised when I got there was that there were gates surrounding the whole campus. I was a bit confused as to how to get on to campus. After walking around outside the gates looking suspicious, I decided to ask a few police officers where the museums were. One spoke slight English and walked me over to a lone shack/office just outside the gates. The man at the desk had permanently furrowed eyebrows and was quite stoic. Anyways, the officer said a few words, asked me to sit down, and left. I was left sitting for about 20 min. as student after student piled into his office hoping to get a slip of paper. After 15 min., I realised that the slip of paper allowed the student through the gates onto campus (maybe these students forgot their student card or something - I can't imagine every student having to get a slip every day).
So after the 20min, another man in a suit walked into the office and looked at me. He was there to escort me through the gates. He was the University's PR guy and was quite friendly. I think he was happy that I made a trip specifically to the University to go to the museums. He ushered me into the Museum of Archaeology first where he introduced me to the curator. She explained that they were rennovating/repainting the museum so it was quite disheveled. It was disheveled and small and really I wasn't too happy to make the journey out there afterwards (especially considering that they had told me the the Museum of Natural Heritage was closed). The highlights were the models of a Roman Temple and the Nymphaeum, both at Jerash. Just as I was leaving they offered to open up the Natural Heritage Museum for me and of course I accepted. This was the gem that made the trip worth it. The museum really just portrayed Arab/Jordanian life from the turn of the 20th century till now with displays of how early-modern homes would have looked like, wares that were used for various functions, various herbal medicines and traditional dress, etc. This was easily the highlight of the morning (I'll post pics. later). After this, I wanted to walk around campus but I didn't feel like being escorted so I didn't even bother to ask...ah well. I left for home.
The evening was great as I headed out to the airport to pick-up Charlene. I drove the way out and was honked at by a number of vehicles (Yield signs here mean slow down but don't ever stop!!!). Charlene got in with no problems and then we headed home for the evening.
- comments
Aunt Pat Glad Charlene arrived safely. How is Mom And Dad. Give them my Love.
Charles Glad you guys are re-united again! Enjoy!
Chris Hi Aunt Pat!
Michelle Im glad Chuckie arrived without a hitch! And that you got a sneak peek at a closed museum. Can't wait to see and hear what you get up to together!
Zaid Thanks for the five stars aunt Pat! ;-)