Day 3 - Introductions

 I tried going to sleep after we got to the university but by that time it was already light out.

 Tim, our program advisor, prints course materials next to images ofKing Abdullah II ibn al-Hussein and his father Hussein bin Talal. They're pictures are everywhere on campus.

Olivesssss

Days 1 and 2 - Getting There (cont.)

Getting picked up from Amman airport, on our way to Irbid.

We arrived around 5AM in Irbid, and was advised to get some sleep before breakfast at 9. I tried going to sleep, but when I realized it was already light outside, I stepped out on the porch to see if I could catch the sunrise. 

Perfect timing. Perfect welcome to Jordan.

Days 1 and 2 - Getting There

 From Seattle

 to Chicago (with dinosaur)

 to Frankfurt (with a failed attempt to buy train tickets)

but then we ran into the rest of the group in the Frankfurt airport
(we had a lot of time to kill, can you tell?)

and finally, after more than 27 hours of traveling, to Irbid.

In case you haven't figured this out from the photos, I am in Jordan! Yes, it's safe. Don't worry, I will be just fine. For the next month, I am spending my time (mostly) in Irbid, more specifically at the Jordan University of Science and Technology, studying water engineering through a civil engineering class offered at the University of Washington. The class will focus on engineering challenges that come with managing and treating water in arid landscapes. And there are many challenges, but you should ask me that in a month because I can already tell there's going to be a huge learning curve. For starters, I'm not an engineering student. The literature we read has a lot of unfamiliar jargon and concepts, but I knew this going into the program. Probably one of the most exciting aspects of this program is that we are studying and living side-by-side seven Jordanian students. Two are undergrad, five are grad, and all are civil engineering students with their own special areas of focus. This was something that was missing from my Peru study abroad program, so I am looking forward to getting to know Jordan not only from the course material, but also from the people who know it best. 

9. Tide-y Whities

To the beach! Pacific Northwest style.

He was a feisty one.

Flip a rock over. Find something cool. Call everyone over to see. Repeat.

She found a smiling rock.

Reflective Joe.

Saturday morning was a mini Perunion (Peru reunion) of sorts with additional friends! We can all obsess over tide pool finds and marine ecology without getting weird looks from people. On the contrary, this love for the natural world gets amplified. And that's just how I like it.

8. 'Til Daylight is Done

Sergey and Nammy check the alignment of the frames.

Greenhouse construction continues! This time, we make the best of the last two hours of daylight in order to install the last of the two frames. There is something very satisfying about working outside until the light is gone. Especially around the farm, there's a feeling that you are moving along with everything else around you. This greenhouse team is a fun bunch. They are easy-going, hilarious, and pragmatic fellas. Thanks for showing me around, guys!

7. The Beginnings of a Greenhouse

 These frames are strong enough to hold a swinging human!

Eye spy with my little eye some ready to pick zucchinis!!

 There were so many tomatoes that were just asking to be picked... They were delicious.

Fellow Engineers Without Borders coworker and friend Adi was kind enough to show me the greenhouse that is being built down by the Center for Urban Horticulture. The UW Farm approached EWB last winter in hopes of designing and building a space that would allow for more food to be grown over the cold winter months. Over the past couple of months, the two groups have been hard at work in finalizing plans and construction began in spring. I visited the site when seeds were still being sown, and it's pretty incredible to see the change that happens just over a matter of months. Zucchinis, tomatoes, jalepenos, carrots, kale, arugula, basil, squash, onions, garlic, chard, and other veggies that I can't even name are abundant and thriving. Once the greenhouse is done, we will able to harvest these beauties all through the winter too. I am excited.