هيّا الى المغامرة!

 “Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you have traveled.” – Al Qur'an

            Before I begin my title means, "Let's Go Explore!"

From wherever you are reading this take a moment and imagine an image for me… there is a river flowing swiftly through a ravine and a leaf blows from a tree and falls down to the river far below. On the way down the leaf gets tossed, turned, thrown, and overall battered before gently gliding down to the swift and dark river. As it lands in the water it finds itself overcome by the rush of the water and the crushing blow of the pressure the water creates. It bobs up and down and side to side and comes to the surface just to be submerged again. You can follow the leaf down the river knowing that the stream that lies ahead is smooth and calming. This trip ha taught me that I am nothing more than a leaf in this grand adventure into Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies. I finally say that I have reached the point in the river where I can see calmer waters ahead.

            The feeling of acclimating to your surroundings is one of most interesting I have ever experienced. Knowing that adjusting to this city comes with the bitter medicine that in 4 weeks time I will be back in Michigan. I have come to the realization that humans are creatures of habit that, when forced, can easily adapt to new and strange places. My body and mind never ceases to amaze me with how quickly our entire program and myself has adapted to our new environment. This city, like myself, feels trapped between two worlds. As I have begun to adjust to my surrounds in turn I can better grapple with how the people in this city can grapple with million dollar homes next to refugee camps. Just as the opening notes indicated I can see the calmer waters ahead. I have begun to understand that this city and country is constantly keeping in the mind the calmer waters ahead. I have also realized that I will never truly understand where I am and that I am ok with that sentiment. It is ok to let go and live. To not pass judgment, do not pass go, and certainly do not collect your cultural souvenirs and return home without bothering to attempt to be a part of where you are living. I have reached calmer waters and just like the leaf that does not understand the water it is in, I do not understand everything but hopefully within the next 4 weeks I can further develop my understanding through experiences throughout the beautiful country of Jordan.

            And the only way to truly begin to understand where you are is to go out and experience this world. This week is prime example of seizing the opportunities at your feet. Over the past week I have taken a tour of the city led by a Fulbright Scholar, experienced more cab ride negotiations, driven around the city late into the night, gone to church with an old friend, ran the dunes of Wadi Rum, slept under the Milky Way, and climbed more than 800 steps to the peak of the ancient city Petra. Coming to the realization that my daily life, although stressful, with 5 hours of classes a day and on top of homework, papers, and tests is incredibly rewarding. I could not have asked for a better way to be a part of the city. Whilst going to classes with people that are passionate, driven and incredibly talented. We work so hard because we know that we are here to apply what we learn in the class to our lives and our futures. My classmates and I are being taught everyday by the same teachers who teach diplomats and officials who are all striving for a better future for this region. This week many of the program participants are departing and I will be sad to see them leave. Having spent almost 10 hours a day with my classmates for a month has brought us together more than any other group I have been a part of, all struggling to master such a complicated language in a complicated place.

            Now besides all the philosophical blabbering about how much this program has changed me I must talk about the amazing things Amman and the entire country of Jordan has to offer to anyone. Although I must say this country is not for the weak of heart, stomach, or physical strength. Walking throughout the oldest part of the city, through original Roman streets next to brand new shining art installments. Going around the city with a person who has lived here, as an American, for more than a year is something that brings new insights that simply cannot be provided elsewhere. He will become part of the ranks of fascinating people you meet while in places outside of your comfort zone. Besides our wonderful experiences walking around the city this week we have also had the chance to celebrate an Iftar meal with breaking the fast for Ramadan in downtown Amman. Besides these great experiences within the city our weekend trip away to the south of the country was simply amazing. Spending the day driving around in the open backs of pickup trucks while climbing rock outcroppings with amazing friends. Realizing how infinitesimally small you are while laying on the ground of what used to be the bottom of an ocean while staring up and seeing the entire Milky Way streak across the sky. Dancing Debka in the desert with so many people from around the world. Setting off fireworks, singing the National Anthem and eating smores on the 4^th of July. Waking up the sound of camels in the distance and sun streaking deep red lines around the mountains in the distance. After that traveling to Petra and hiking down into the 3,000-year-old city. Witnessing the raw power that it took thousands of people to hand carve mountains into buildings. Climbing over 800 stone steps carved deep into a mountain to reach the Monastery and overlooking the entire Petra valley. All these things while being sunburned, overheated dehydrated, exhausted and then going back to school the next day.

            I think the motto has come to exist here that no one will ever look back at their time in Jordan and think, “I wish that I had slept more.” A sentiment I constantly remind myself that in any situation like this that you must seize the opportunities that you have.

            I must touch on Ramadan, the holy Muslim month of fasting. This month is an example of attempting to adjust to where I am while the environment itself is ever changing. It is also an example of how this city and this country are caught between old and new, conservative and liberal, traditional and non-conformist, rich and poor. These first two weeks of Ramadan have shown me a world where a nation will alter its secular identity to conform to the majority. A nation and a people that will not serve food in public during the day, where people go about their lives without drinking water, smoking, or chewing gum in public. A nation that closes its bars and liquor stores, all of this in the name of respecting the majority that resides within Jordan. This month so far has taught me respect, patience, and understanding. For me Ramadan in the past has been a marking on the calendar and nothing more, but now it marks a change in the way a country and a people operate for an entire month. I have a great understanding and appreciation for what so many people around the world do every year of their lives.

            As I prepare to say goodbye to so many dear friends that I have met over these past few weeks I could not be happier with where I am. While constantly reminding myself that calmer waters are always ahead in this adventure and honestly I truly hope I can take these feelings of openness, understanding, and easy going attitude back home with me. Living a life more open and free has been liberating, which ironically most people associate this part of the world as more constricting and conservative but as I have mentioned before all you can say is, “Well, its Jordan” and move on. No sense in worrying about the little things or that everyone operates on Arab time of at least 20 minutes late to everything and what takes an hour actually takes three. Being able to move, adjust, and keep going always with the eye on learning and understanding is a beautiful thing that is hard to learn but so worthwhile.

            Another issue that must be addressed is safety here in Amman and Jordan in general. This time here has been fascinating to be surrounded by countries that are all equally fighting for different things. Although I understand I am an observer here in a country that I do not understand. Politics is an integral part of life here and there are so many varied perspectives and opportunities to learn about. Avoiding the topics is nearly impossible in daily life here and although do not need to be discussed at length is critical to be aware of in an ever-changing environment. With conflicts occurring throughout the region I am blessed to be in a safe and loving environment that my host family and Amideast has provided. I hold my own personal opinions at bay in many cases but have been taught to always be aware of caring for fellow humans whatever form it takes. Stop, listen, see, pause, and then react. A constant mantra we all must be aware of in traveling throughout this little blue dot called earth but especially in places where politics truly are what keeps life going in places.

            I am sure I have gone on way too long here but hopefully you enjoy it. Below are plenty of pictures look at! And remember wherever you are in life, calmer waters are always ahead and even if they are not you are nothing but a leaf in the giant stream of life. So relax, and enjoy the ride.