Tomorrow marks my first full week in Amman, and it has been quite a fascinating experiment, one that observation junkies would find perpetually stimulating. Though I was aware of the cultural environment of this region, it is a whole other animal to be completely immersed in it. I started this blog because I realized there were misconceptions and an extreme lack of understanding about the dynamics of the region. The idealist (who still exists somewhere deep down inside) in me wanted to share a more raw and unfiltered image of the Arab world, in particular the Jordanian world. I have found that the misconceptions and suspicions go both ways.
Arab hospitality is truly second to none and I encourage everyone to travel to the region to experience it for themselves. And the family unit is the nucleus of every person's life. Life revolves around the family, immediate and extended which is not unlike my own family but I know this isn't the case for many people in the States. It is refreshing to see such a close knit microcosm of people (though sometimes not so micro....the families are huge!) but it does also present issues. Tribal mentality seems to draw families close together in a protective bubble but I also believe it creates a fear of things or people outside that bubble. Perhaps fear isn't the correct word, skepticism might be more accurate, but nonetheless exists.
I am a foreigner and an American and that label comes with a lot of baggage, not just here but globally and particularly in second and third world countries. The people I have met thus far, outside of my friend(s) and their family, have been incredibly welcoming but full of questions. They are wondering why I am here and why I am studying the Palestinian situation in Jordan. I know they are fishing and I know they are skeptical of my intentions, perhaps that I am working for a governmental organization or something much worse (who knows!) but after I explain myself they become even more eager to get to know me and speak about the issues more openly.
Living in the States, we aren't often directly impacted by our foreign policies (other than the pocket book), unless of course a member of our family or a friend(s) is serving in the military. We see fleeting images on the news (usually biased and filtered) and some of us even study it in the classroom, but rarely do we feel the impact of the decisions our leaders make. I am both excited and saddened at the same time. Excited to be able to start building a bridge between two very different cultures - though the impact may be very, very small - and saddened because I don't feel this bridge will have any effect on the bigger picture, on the mechanism that negotiates foreign policy and the media, but truly that is not a task for a single person.
Regardless, I feel this exercise is necessary and am blessed for having the opportunity to participate and the resources (my wonderful Jordanian friends and family) to guide me through it.
I haven't taken many pictures yet, but will do so soon. It seems I am always inside at sunrise and sunset, but I know from past experience they are amazing.
Until next time....
Salaam.
Arab hospitality is truly second to none and I encourage everyone to travel to the region to experience it for themselves. And the family unit is the nucleus of every person's life. Life revolves around the family, immediate and extended which is not unlike my own family but I know this isn't the case for many people in the States. It is refreshing to see such a close knit microcosm of people (though sometimes not so micro....the families are huge!) but it does also present issues. Tribal mentality seems to draw families close together in a protective bubble but I also believe it creates a fear of things or people outside that bubble. Perhaps fear isn't the correct word, skepticism might be more accurate, but nonetheless exists.
I am a foreigner and an American and that label comes with a lot of baggage, not just here but globally and particularly in second and third world countries. The people I have met thus far, outside of my friend(s) and their family, have been incredibly welcoming but full of questions. They are wondering why I am here and why I am studying the Palestinian situation in Jordan. I know they are fishing and I know they are skeptical of my intentions, perhaps that I am working for a governmental organization or something much worse (who knows!) but after I explain myself they become even more eager to get to know me and speak about the issues more openly.
Living in the States, we aren't often directly impacted by our foreign policies (other than the pocket book), unless of course a member of our family or a friend(s) is serving in the military. We see fleeting images on the news (usually biased and filtered) and some of us even study it in the classroom, but rarely do we feel the impact of the decisions our leaders make. I am both excited and saddened at the same time. Excited to be able to start building a bridge between two very different cultures - though the impact may be very, very small - and saddened because I don't feel this bridge will have any effect on the bigger picture, on the mechanism that negotiates foreign policy and the media, but truly that is not a task for a single person.
Regardless, I feel this exercise is necessary and am blessed for having the opportunity to participate and the resources (my wonderful Jordanian friends and family) to guide me through it.
I haven't taken many pictures yet, but will do so soon. It seems I am always inside at sunrise and sunset, but I know from past experience they are amazing.
Until next time....
Salaam.
Big impacts start with little steps. Keep walking!
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