In Jordan, Days Off Are Time for Religion, Relaxation

Amman, Jordan

Editor’s Note: Education Week Assistant Editor Mary Ann Zehr is on assignment in Jordan to report on the education system of this strategically located country in the Middle East. During her two-week visit, which began April 1, she will also be filing occasional reports for edweek.org.

Jordanians carefully guard their time off from work. So when Friday came, I had no choice but to also take the day off. Friday is the day that Jordanians go to the mosque if they are Muslim, or simply relax. Saturday is also part of their weekend.

I set out from the Hisham Hotel at 8 a.m. to see the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Gerasa, which is called Jerash in modern-day Jordan, and is located about 45 minutes by taxi or bus from Amman. I'd already visited two schools in Jerash earlier in the week, but I hadn't had time...