A last cup of coffee and a goodbye

Sorry! I have about 10 unfinished posts and time has just been lacking. Suddenly when we came back from Thailand everything went really fast. The email, the phone call and 2 months later we are off, on our way to new adventures.

When you leave a place you suddenly realise that there are so many things you haven't done... I manage to leave Jordan without visiting Wadi Rum, haven't been to Aqaba either; my biggest regret is probably Jerusalem.

There are also all these small places that you keep discovering or being introduced to. My last cup of coffee goes to Caffè Strada on Rainbow Street. A charming small place - they serve good coffee and fab tea - my favorite brand Jing (my friends D & K will be happy to know that even after I have left they can still get their Jasmine green tea in Amman!). Their cookies are nice as well! It is located just opposite the old theater, off Rainbow street - or the first street on your right after the Saudi Embassy.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/caffestradaamman

And so it is, Goodbye to Amman, Goodbye to Jordan. I cannot believe that we have been here for nearly 2 and a half years. Life has been good here. I have enjoyed Amman very much. I will miss my life here. And of course all my friends.

We are traveling further East this time. After a few stops on the way, we will step out of the plane in Denpasar, the capital city of Bali, Indonesia. I will start a new blog and I hope that you will take the time to read about our adventures on the small island. The four Bs in Bali - it is up and running, I just need to get writing!

Thank you Amman, for being so hospitable. I will miss you.

A little visitor

We are back from Thailand! Had an amazing time and I will be doing some picture posts. Bangkok is a fabulous city - busy but so interesting. I didn't do a tenth of the things I wanted to, but with the 2 small ones it wasn't that easy.

When we came home I opened the shutters and found a little visitor!

It kept flying away first as soon as it saw Bibs, but I hope it got used to us now and that it can nest in peace. Bibs is so excited!!

Crown Lounge at Amman Airport

I have already done a post anout Queen Alia Airport and it wasn't a really nice one. So I want to correct a little bit.

We are on the way to Bangkok (am really excited) and it's just really a shame that Royal Jordanian forgot to tell us that we were 3 hours delayed... Well anyways, now that Bobsy is finally sleeping and Bibs is nearly there, I thought I would share a couple of pictures of the lounge.

Having access to the Crown Lounge does change a little bit one's experience of Amman's Airport.

It is very spacious, with several seperated seating areas, a bar, several tv's (some are individual), a buffet which isnt that bad - they even refill on the sandwiches at 2am! There is a kids area and a billiard table.

The pictures are not the best, but I can't really move!

That's Also Amman #85 : Abdoun Bridge

Wadi Abdoun Bridge: The only of it's kind in Amman and in Jordan for that matter.

It took 4 years to build this cable stayed bridge, it opened in 2006. It links Abdoun to the 4th circle.

All about ribbons

What a busy week!

It all started with the weather. What a nightmare, okay let's put things in perspective. It only lasted a couple of days and really wasn't that bad, but when you are used to the sun shining and you see clouds too long, it gets a bit depressing. The good thing is that it reminds one how easy and nice it is to have the sun shining most of the time. Everything is so complicated when it's cold out there. Now the sun is back and so is the smile on everyones faces, including Bibs who got so bored with not being able to get outside as she wanted.

Then the city needed a clean up, as usual. Look at this tree in our street!

I can't decide what happened to it. It didn't snow that much, maybe it met a car during the snow period or something.

Then I made it downtown. I haven't been down there in ages. I went to this ribbon/everything for weddings/births and different kind of party decorations shop. I have never seen anything like it. Welcome to the world of "Ribbontex Nazzal". The shop is located in one of the small streets behind the big mosque.

Entrance to the shop

Up the stairs and this is what you get...

And Bibs' favorite: shells! 1000s of them. 

What an amazing world the one of Ribbontex Nazzal!

Bibs' favourite muffins

More snow has come. The thing I love the most about the snow (when I can't ski...) is the quiet it brings with it. It gets cosy. Hyggeligt, we call it in Danish. That's a word that only exists in Danish. It means cosy and comfortable and something welcoming. A girlfriend a meet up can be hyggelig, a house can be hyggeligt (fireplace, candles, a nice chat and a hot cup of tea). And it probably includes something to do with food as well, like lunch or dinner with friends or a good afternoon with cake.

And this weather has got me backing. Bibs is not a cake kid. So it is always a huge surprise when she actually likes one. But I thought maybe if I made baby muffins that would work. Indeed, it did.

Apple & Carrot Muffins

Recipe.

preheat oven @ 350F (180C)

makes 48 "baby" muffins

2 carrots

1 apple 

175g flour

150g sugar

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp babking powder

pinch of salt

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

2 large eggs

120ml oil (vegetable, corn, canola oil)

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Peel and finely grate the carrots and apple. 

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

In another ball whisk eggs, oil and vanilla extract. 

Fold the egg mixture and carrots & apple into the flour mixture. Don't stir too much, just until it is mixed.  

Fill up the muffin cups half so there is space for them to "grow"

I didn't check the timing really - but it's until a toothpick (or very tiny knife) comes up clear. Maybe around 15 - 20 minutes. 

Bon Appetit!

Kids playing in the snow and building a snowman - 5th Circle 

Leaving Taj Mall today... in the middle of a snow storm

Fine white cover over Amman

This is actually the most snow I have seen in 2 years!

Schools are closed and as you can see on the picture 1 car has been on our road and it's 6:30am! It's nice and quiet outside.

Amman is at a stand still.

It is actually not quite white snow we have. Because of the sandstorm we had yesterday before the snow started to fall there is a nice yellowish layer underneath...