For the second season in a row, Munir has been the cook at the Amman Training College during our excavations at Tall al-`Umayri. As returning veterans discovered that we would again enjoy the quality of the food he prepares for us, without exception there was enthusiastic applause. With experience in the hotel industry, with a gracious, welcoming spirit, with a willingness to do anything to make our meals healthful and pleasant, with a friendly warmth characteristic of Jordan’s native hospitality, with a gracious, welcoming spirit, with a willingness to do anything to make our meals healthful and pleasant, and with a friendly warmth characteristic of Jordan’s native hospitality, Munir is the best.

The three photos illustrate as well his artistic skill carving watermelon (he does all kinds of vegetables too). Canadians were in for a real surprise on 1 July, Canada Day, when the saw on the food table the Canadian flag on the melon and the cake he purchased, served along with three flavors of ice cream – chocolate, pistachio, and caramel.

Three days later, on Independence Day for the U.S., we enjoyed more of Munir’s skills with the Statue of Liberty carved into the melon and a flag-draped cake to match. And the same three flavors of ice cream.

We are especially indebted to Munir and his fellow cooks and workers in the kitchen this year because they faithfully celebrate the fast of Ramadan, creating amazing food for us while not eating at all during the long summer days.