You are Mostly Welcome

Translation mishaps are fabulous when traveling. For instance, Jessica and I rented a car for our trip through Jordan and when we thanked the car rental guy for his assistance he replied "You are mostly welcome". Later on at one of our hostels a sign read "Not responsible for any lost". This was right after swim at your own risk and no children under 15 allowed without parents.

Occasionally it's not so great. When you are in the middle of nowhere, in the mountains, you haven't seen a gas station in over an hour, and you are no on the dreaded "E", the last thing you want to come across is the security check point officer that speaks no English except a very vivacious "Welcome to Jordan" and can not answer any of your frantic questions about where to find gas.

Another thing to do when traveling and not being amused by grammatical inaccuracies and panicked by your current gas emergency is Brit Spotting. This can take place anywhere. Qualifications include: usually late middle aged to older couples, come off large tour group buses and travel in wild packs, the women usually wear white pants or short, floppy hats that are atrocious, and are sporting a sun burn on their arms and chests that is just downright repulsive. The men usually wear khaki shorts, a button down shirt that is untucked and usually the bottom buttons are left undone, sandals with knee length athletic socks, and a hat that makes them feel like Indiana Jones. When you feel like you've mastered it, you can being wagering bets with your travel companion. If you find out that they aren't British, then it just more of a reason to mock them as they have lost all excuse for their terrible terrible fashion mishaps.

Of course when you are asked if you are British you are utterly embarrassed and realize you must run to the nearest dressing room as soon as possible.


My trip to Jordan was absolutely fantastic. The best trip I have had this semester. No pictures or words could even begin to describe how beautiful it is. The people are wonderful, and it has been the first time this semester I haven't been hesitant about admitting I am from America. Usually that is followed by "Oh...Bush. We don't like him." and then a tirade of offenses he has made. In Jordan it was the magic phrase. Get pulled over for speeding? Say that you are American and roam free. Get lost in Amman? Say that you are American and have 100 people try and help you. The welcomes are endless, and usually include hand waving and large smiles, and an occasional crazy hug that you don't quite know what to do with.

Now just ten more days in Cyprus, one more week of traveling, and then I'm coming back to the US. No more changing currency and crying that I just lost half my money because the USD is worth noting, no more buying ridiculously overpriced goods because you live on Cyprus, and no more being able to drink legally.

Enjoy the pictures. Put them into several albums as I took a whole lot. Love you all.

Day One: "Let's Float to Israel"

Day Two: "Cypriot Tour Guides"

Day Three: "Looking for the Holy Grail"

Day Four: "Bedouins and Beaches"