This Weekend.

This weekend we went to Amman and made a few side trips to other archaeological sites. The first one we went to is Jeresh an old Roman city. It was really cool to see again, and since one of my friends and I had seen it last year our professor allowed to visit other parts of the site. We got to see some Roman baths, the city center and some other churches we did not get to see before, We also went back to see the temple of Artemis. We then went to a crusaders castle in Ajloun. It was great to go back and explore although there were no secret passages. Our last stop of the day was at the Mar Elias monastery. An old monastery with nicely preserved mosaics. This is also the supposed birth place of Elijah. In Amman we spent the night at ACOR (American center for oriental research), a kind of hostel for archaeologist, that also provides grants and funding for various projects around Jordan. The next day we got a tour of ACOR with its conservation rooms and massive library. Then we went to the citadel in downtown Amman. The citadel is the ruins of a fortified Roman city in the heart of downtown. The citadel has the temple of Heracles, a royal palace, and a museum. After the citadel we went to a theatre that sits at the base of the citadel. Then we went back to ACOR for Sunday dinner of pot roast and mashed potatoes, a tradition started by the dutch archaeologist about 40 years ago. This concluded our time in Amman.

First and Second Dig Days.

Yesterday we oped our trenches. I forgot how dirty you get especially on the first day because the top soil is loose and dusty. We are working with almost all the same people again. I get to work with Audah again who is awesome. He really takes care of me, makes me wear a hat, brings me treats at break, and yells at me when I itch my mosquito bites. Today we were in the field again. We had a shortened work day because normally today is the weekend and is the day they have special prayer services. Everything is going really well. I am feeling great and the food is wonderful,We are all having a lot of fun and the group has really gotten close. This weekend we go to Jeresh and Amman.

We have arrived!

Well we finally got to the house about 11:30 local time. We were all too tired to do anything last night. Most of the group is now here although a few will arrive this weekend. We had a very long last leg of the trip but we somehow made it. Today we will be taking a tour of the site and taking it easy as we all adjust to the time change. We will get all the work set up from an administrative perspective and then tomorrow the real work begins.

Paris!

We have landed in Paris. After a long very cramped 8 hour flight we are about half way to the site. It is noon here and we don't get in Amman until 8:15 local time. I am having a great time with the others on the trip. Weird coincidence on my last flight I sat next to a girl from Penn State who is going to Egypt for an archaeology field season. I am still feeling great though running on only a couple hours of interrupted sleep. I will update when we get to our house.

Hello everyone!

Well I am traveling back to Jordan. Today will be a long day of traveling, we fly into Detroit then Paris then finally Amman. With all the time changes we will land on Tuesday at 8:15 Jordan time. I will update again when we land and get to our house.