Another Week Done!

Sorry, it has been so long since I have posted. We had a full week of digging and working. Here is our daily schedule:
5:45- head to the site
9:30- second breakfast/break
12- done in the field
1- lunch
2-4- break/nap time
4-6- work (usually paperwork and ceramics)
6:30- dinner
7- lecture

It has still been very hot as the heat wave continues. This week we have a short work week. The students went to Petra and take 3 days instead of 2 so we will not be in the field Monday. On Tuesday Ramadan ends and it is a national holiday so we will not have our local coworkers in the field, we will still do some work but not to the same extent. This weekend I went back to Amman for a couple days. It was nice and relaxing but we still did work. Because of Ramadan, most restaurants are closed during the day so we ate at a French cafe and an Irish Pub. We are back at Umm El Jimal now and are busy getting ready for the interpretive center opening later this month.

Friday!

Today was a long day in the sun. The students started excavating trenches and it was very hot with no wind. The students are spread out all over the site so I along with their Professor walk in a loop visiting all the students, checking in and answering any questions. We even finished an hour early because of the sun. Thankfully I get a little time off. A friend and I are staying in Amman (the capital) this weekend. We are in a nice hotel with air conditioning and ICE! It will be a nice break from the heat and we will do some shopping and relaxing. We will head back Sunday and get ready for another full week. 

We are here!

We have made it. I have been so tired I haven't posted yet. We arrived Tuesday night had dinner and went to bed. On Wednesday we had a late start and started getting everything ready for today. It is very hot right now, we are going through a heat wave so it has been a long couple of days on the site. Today we went out and set up all the trenches for the students. We have 10 students digging in 9 trenches. There is a lot going on as we prepare to open the museum in a couple weeks. Today we finished early because of the heat but tomorrow the real work begins.

Going Back!

I'm going back! Tomorrow I leave for Amman, we have a long non-stop flight. I will be meeting up with the students from Calvin in Chicago and we will be traveling together. Will post again when we get in. See you in a month.

Weekend!

This weekend was great. The other senior staff and I (4 of us) went to Amman for the weekend. We did some shopping but mostly relaxing and real showers! We had a great time just hanging out and I got some great stuff. I do have a head cold and am not feeling the greatest but I am getting through.

Yesterday was an important day. We had the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new interpretive center museum. This is an important project that will bring more tourists to the site. Things are going well and the season is almost over. the students leave for Isreal in a week so things are starting to wrap up.

Work!

This year instead of getting my own trench I am helping oversee the students as they dig. I am getting a lot of exercise as the trenches this year are spread out. It is about 3/4 of a mile every lap, and I do this lap multiple times a day. My job is great because the locals keep giving me food, I get a lot of bread and tea, the other day I even got a baked potato made over the fire. I also help the students keep up their book work and make sure they understand the whole process.

Weekend

This weekend was very nice. The students take trips around the country and only 4 of us were at the house. We were able to get a lot of work done and relax in the quiet.

In the field, we are still progressing though today was very windy. The students are doing well as they adjust to excavating. It is not too cold here and we have central heating. We will continue to work this week and progress in our trenches.