on a cold cold friday...

... today has been a very. very. cold day in Amman. How cold I don't know because I actually haven't been outside. It started with wind, lots and lots of it. More and more clouds came and the rain came, lots and lots of it. We stayed at home.

I started my day with a good cup of coffee and the Jordan Times, while the rest of the house was still asleep. There were a couple of interesting articles. One about Jordanian Politics, this one about water conservation (it made me smile) and an other one about press freedom in the Kingdom, among others.

Then as the weather went from bad (wind) to worse (rain), I cut vegetables, I steamed vegetables and I pureed vegetables for my ever hungry growing Bobsy. And now it is dark and still wet outside I decided to brighten my mood with some holiday pictures. I love holiday pictures on such a day... and of course they are from Mauritius! I needed some pictures that reminded me of summer.

Beach - I love this panoramic feature on my new camera... a Sony nex-5

end of the day...

Bibs...  

Sunset and the fisherman finishing his day

and the night pics as well... without a tripod! 

I can't wait for spring to arrive. I know that we need water in Jordan and it's good that it is raining - but I miss the sun already! 

Another year has gone by...

... and today marks the second anniversary of our arrival in Amman. Like last year, today is a rainy day, there has even been some snow in the air. Like last year Jordan needs the water desperately.

Of course the arrival of our little Bobsy was the highlight of 2011! When we found out we were pregnant, we talked a lot about where I would deliver - should I stay here, go back to Europe? After talking a bit to friends here and there, I decided that staying here was the best for all of us. It wouldn't have been fair on Bibs to take her away from her daddy, her friends and playgroups when her life was going to change so much already. It must be a little traumatising to suddenly have to share mum and dad! However Bibs loves her little brother - cuddles and kisses him all day long. Wouldn't have been fair on the daddy either for that matter. Anyway, I started to look for an obstetrician and found a really nice one, I trusted him immediately. The great thing here is that the obstetrician does also the ultrasounds, so unlike in Europe, you get to see your little bean grow every time you have an appointment. I have not one bad thing to say about my experience, a part from the fact that there are 2 rates when you go to the doctor here: one for the Jordanians and one for the expats! I delivered at Farah Hospital which really reminds one more of a hotel with its single rooms, suites and even royal suite (2 bedrooms and a huge reception area! I just visited it, didn't "stay" there!). Of course a delivery room is what it is, but you do have the most amazing view over Amman - so while I was laying there and wondering why oh why I had said "no" to the epidural, I was also admiring the sunrise over Amman.

The View from my room @ Farah Hospital

And we got flowers and flowers and more balloons, here are a few! A speciality here. 

And our Bobsy was born and now I can't remember what life was before he joined us.

The Arab Spring came and went (while the storm still blows in Syria and Yemen) and Jordan, well,  I guess remained the same. I never felt the protests and never thought that it could become a problem. Business in Jordan was hit though - tourism declined as western tourists chose other destinations, one  Prime Minister succeeded the other and Amman's former mayor got released this morning after one month's detention over corruption allegations - bail: 300'000 JD, rich mayor. 

When I re-read last years post, One year in Amman!, nothing much have changed: I still like the same things and the things I didn't enjoy as much, well to be honest I like them even less now - but I have decided not to get upset anymore by unconscious drivers (private or taxi drivers, male or female, Jordanians or expats) or by male chauvinistic behaviours! Kind of New Year resolution. 

We still have many things to do here in Jordan, I can't believe we haven't made it to Aqaba yet and I would love to go to Wadi Rum - but life with a tiny one is not always easy to plan! So here is to more time in an amazing country. 

Back to blogging... one more try!

Well let's start by saying Happy New Year 2012 cause it's that time of the year. I can not believe that I have been away from my blog for 7 months. Please don't think that I have been doing nothing in these last months!... an extra pair of little feet have joined the family and I should really change the name of my blog to "Bibs, Babs, Bobs and Bobsy in Amman". 2011 blessed us with the arrival of a gorgeous little man. And for those with kids, you know how tired you get at the end of the pregnancy (a lot of sleep when Bibs was napping...) and how much your life changes with a newborn in the house: feeding, sleeping, changing nappies, ah and feeding again and again and again... but there is something very refreshing about having a newborn.

So I haven't really had time to discover much, but a few things have changed in Amman! Like the opening of Taj Mall in Abdoun and the arrival of H&M, Spinneys (and baby food, like Ella's Kitchen) and many other shops. But I will get back to all that.

The other thing new is my IPhone 4 which I absolutely adore! (not the 4s, but one can't have everything in life!)) - so while I might not be able to write as much I would like, I have installed blogger on my phone so will be posting pictures as well! Amazing thing technology... well that is when i have been able to switch my app from Arabic to English... because that's one thing that hasn't changed: my level of Arabic - not that I am particularly proud of it...

Once again Happy New Year, hope it will be a good one!

My Bobsy is 5 months tomorrow!