by Natasha Tynes | Jul 15, 2004 | Jordan, my nation
Jordan’s female boxers go for the glory
In a sweaty, testosterone-charged Amman gym, where Jordan’s top boxers are honing their technique and fitness for next month’s Olympics, there is a phenomenon that would appal many traditionalists in this conservative region.
Next to the pumped up guys are a small squad of women boxers trying their hardest to punch each others’ lights out.
The women are not bound for the Olympics, but they have already achieved glory. They have become the first women boxers in the Arab Middle East. In doing so, they are striking a blow against the stereotypes of Arab women being weak and defenceless.
Source: [BBC]
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by Natasha Tynes | Jul 13, 2004 | Food and Drink, Jordan, my nation, Shutterbug
We checked out a new place last night that certainly would not be called your regular Amman coffee shop/restaurant. It was decidedly different with a nature theme and a conservation and good health flavor. The building is run by the RSCN (The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature) and located in Jabal Amman. Its most notable feature is its very nice coffee shop, which overlooks downtown Amman.
The coffee shop menu is filled with healthy choices trucked in from across Jordan. In the center of the café, displayed on an exposed concrete wall, the society projects pictures of Jordan’s nature reserves in Wadi Mujib, Ajloun and elsewhere. It has a very distinctive ecological atmosphere
The Jordan Wild Nature Center, as it is called, also has a nature shop selling environment-friendly products created in various RSCN projects. These are items that would be welcome in any display case and make excellent gifts for non-Jordanians. I highly recommended it. This place is a must-see, eat and buy for anyone visiting the Kingdom.
Click below for some more pictures 🙂
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by Natasha Tynes | Jul 12, 2004 | Jordan, my nation, Shutterbug
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Of the many new and interesting things I have so far seen in Amman, this newsstand really grabbed me. It seems like Aramex — A Jordanian based courier — is peppering the streets of the capital with these stands, which are chocked full of local and international newspapers and magazines. This is a positive sign!
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by Natasha Tynes | Jul 12, 2004 | Film, Jordan, my nation
Last night was a movie night. We went to Mark and Brigitte’s, ordered pizza from my favourite place here: Rimini and watched a movie. The flick of choice was Pieces of April which turned out to be really pleasant.
There was something very special about this movie, as it mainly revolved around a young woman who wants to cook a Thanksgiving dinner for her parents with whom she just can’t seem to get along.
Her cooking adventures, which pulled in the neighbors of her New York apartment complex, were really amusing. The film was highly stylized, done in a cinema verite style and appeared to be shot on digital video. Katie Holmes was also really good in this movie. It’s highly recommended!
by Natasha Tynes | Jul 10, 2004 | Jordan, my nation, Shutterbug
It is the mating season here in Amman. Everybody is getting hitched. Yesterday we were invited to Dima and Fadi’s wedding and it was so much fun. The church wedding was held at a new church (at least new to me) behind the Holiday Inn hotel.
The church, commonly referred to as Imseeh church, is named for a Jordanian Christian jeweler who donated money to build it. Interesting!
The flower decorations in the church were very nice and so was the music. Later that night, we headed to the reception held at the Intercontinental Hotel and man we had a blast!
I danced so much that my feet are still swollen and hurting at this very moment. It’s okay, I guess that’s the price I have to pay for having so much fun. It was very nice to dance the night away alongside many of my friends, most of whom I haven’t seen for almost a year. And man, Arabic music is the best choice for any wedding! Jeff did his share of dancing too, but also lightly documented the event with digital and film pictures that really came out nice. Oh Jordan, I missed you so!
Below are two more pictures 🙂 🙂
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We checked out a new place last night that certainly would not be called your regular Amman coffee shop/restaurant. It was decidedly different with a nature theme and a conservation and good health flavor. The building is run by the RSCN (The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature) and located in Jabal Amman. Its most notable feature is its very nice coffee shop, which overlooks downtown Amman. 
It is the mating season here in Amman. Everybody is getting hitched. Yesterday we were invited to Dima and Fadi’s wedding and it was so much fun. The church wedding was held at a new church (at least new to me) behind the Holiday Inn hotel.