"Winter 101 Survival Kit" by Myrna Altall
Although summer and high temperatures run late in Jordan, the months between November and February do get cold, and temperatures drop below zero Celsius. Probably not as cold as many parts of the US, but the difference is that unfortunately we do not have as good of heating systems as students might be used to back home.
Here are some tips to help:
Layer up even when you are home: Get thermal socks, and you can use a winter Hata حطه/ Shmakh شماخ as a scarf to stay warm, especially when you leave the house.
Hot water bottle: I fill it with hot water and use it to warm up my sheets before going to sleep, and this is becoming my favorite winter routine. Just make sure you sealed it well.
Heating systems: Families use different heating systems to warm up their houses, some are more common than others and are usually based on how affordable it is.
Central heating system — Usually families with central heating system will turn it on for an hour or two in the morning as everyone is waking up and getting ready for school and work, and for a couple of hours in the evening as everyone is back home. With this heating system you can switch it to heat the water as well.
Electric heaters — These have different brands, models, and shapes. I personally don’t like them as you must be sitting attached to it to feel the heat, and electricity is very expensive and usually these heaters skyrocket your electric bill.
Gas heaters — This is the most used, where families will buy a gas cylinder that is connected to the heater. Families always remind students to make sure to keep either their door open or have their window a bit open to make sure they have clear air flow.
Good things to know:
Jordanians will always say you will get sick if:
You take a shower and sleep with wet hair, or go out without drying your hair.
You walk around the house without socks and house slippers.
Traditional winter food & drinks:
With the first drop of rain, you can smell soup in almost every kitchen! The two most common ones are lentil soup (شوربه عدس) and Freekeh soup (شوربه فريكه). Freekeh is a type of roasted wheat we cook either as a soup or in meals instead of rice.
Different types of herbal tea like sage tea (مريمية), mint tea (نعناع), chamomile tea (بابونج), and anise tea (يانسون). (Variety of teas pictured above)
Salep (سحلب) is a traditional winter beverage/dessert.
Laundry in winter — Dryers are not used in Jordan, so make sure you have an extra change of clothes as laundry will take time to air dry in winter.
There is a truck with music/or just beeps around the city, this truck sells (replaces) empty gas cylinders which are used both for cooking and for the gas heaters (my least favorite weekend alarm!).
Finally, it does snow in Jordan — not much, definitely nothing compared to some parts in the US. But if it does, that means a snow day at home with lots of delicious home cooked meals!
Myrna Altall is the Program Manager of AMIDEAST Education Abroad in Jordan.
