THE HOTEL

NYIT (New York Institute of Technology - my new masters) pays for their new hires to stay in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Amman, a luxury hotel, very close to their campus. Saleh had a driver with a BMW ready at the airport and I was taken, along with my 4 suitcases, 1 carry on bag, 1 camera bag and 1 handbag all that weighed as though I had taken a fair quantity of gold bars from Wall Street. The hotel security was impressive, and they were tolerant of this American nervously dropping her iPod, camera bags, and other metal objects, all that went ting in the night or day, on the rubber belt going thru the x-ray machine. I tried to ignore the M-16 or whatever the gun was that was casually slung across the seated knees of a very good looking smiling, but indifferent soldier, and perhaps accidently sliding down his knees, then to the ground and shooting random bullets into my back. A woman in a very neat black long dress, and a white cloth across the forehead like the old nuns used to wear, and a black headscarf, did the final efficient probing of my luggage and purse. I passed and entered through the largest revolving door I have every seen. There before me was an enormous lobby, polished marble, plants, flowers, Persian rugs, rich mahogany, and deep red plush furniture. I thought I was in Saddam Hussein's palace! I was surrounded by gorgeous young men in black jackets with bronze name labels, who guided me through registration, negotiating me and my container ship of luggage up to my room. I used my fractured Arabic to greet and thank them, and their smiles were enough to light a small city for a year. I knew I would have a great time at this hotel! My room was impeccably decorated, spacious, comfortable. I have a great view of the enormous outdoor swimming pool, palm trees, gardens and a beautiful blue domed mosque nearby. The dinner was a special Ramadan banquet, with special foods to celebrate breaking the fast. Service was wonderful, and I ate everything in sight, much of which I had no idea what I was eating, but it was delicious! Large families were there celebrating. There was such contrasts: traditional embroidered dresses, headscarfs, colorful red and white checked headresses on white robed men, next to men and woman in the latest fashion; women with makeup, heels, coiffed hair. I can now see why the men want the women covered: they are all very gorgeous and sexy, with dark hair, flashing eyes, and definite attitudes.

The other new hire, Catherine, will arrive tomorrow. I put photos of my mother, and Bubbie, my mother-in-law, in my room. I felt this was all so wonderful because of them - they planned this for me from heaven! And, I have numerous wonderful news stations, CNN International, BBC, French, Italian, German and Spanish news. However, it turns out, my favorite station is Aljazeerah because it has the most interesting programs and in depth analysis. My internet connection works; there's a steam room, sauna, turkish bath, jaccuzzi and two pools . . . what more could a girl ask for?