soap, greenery, and paint

today some ciee kids headed to a small town called orjan about an hour north of amman. orjan and the area around it are currently developing a number of sustainable and community-friendly tourism initiatives, and we got to see/experience a number of them. first was the "soap house", a cooperative of local women making organic, handmade soap using herbs grown in their garden. the whole house and gardens smelled heavenly, adding to the already beautiful fresh air that comes with escaping amman.



then we went on a walk along a trail that passes some ruins, some ottoman aqueducts, some streams, and many many fig trees, olive trees, and poppy flowers. again, so nice to get out of the city and back to greenery, and a really gorgeous day for it.




we then were treated to a communal lunch in a local family's house, with everyone gathered on floor pillows around the food. dessert was mounds of bright and juicy strawberries, kiwis, and bananas, since the orjan valley is known for its fruit production.


our afternoon was spent volunteering as painters to give the inside of a local school a new coat of paint.



the day ended with a visit to the ruins of a church and some beautiful views out over the vibrant green of the valley and the hills of israel in the distance.