Alright. Where to begin?! At the beginning.
May 31st:
Life has been thrilling! And delicious! Also, happy June! The other night, we all took our beloved bus to Waed's family home in a city called Om Alreih, which translates to 'mother of the wind'. Just on the short trip there, an air of excitement and anticipation was already in the air. We entered a different part of Jordan and the skyline was just incredible. I could stare at the Jordanian skyline for the majority of my days so if you get the gist and want to skip down a bit, feel free. The sun was set in what seemed like the precise middle of the world. Everything is just so much more breathtaking here in the east. It looked absolutely perfect sitting atop the buildings in the distance, overlooking the endless land before it and us. As we traveled further, there was more farmland and shepherds were standing amongst sheep, cows and horses. When we began to get closer to our destination (this wasn't actually all that long of a bus ride, there was just a lot going on in my brain), we again reached city and we passed by a little girl running through the sidewalks in a white dress that looked very similar to one I had when I was small. It made me very happy...because she was happy...and I like seeing happy people (I'll stop). There was also a woman, dressed very casually with no hijab, swinging a small child around and laughing. Giggling, the toddler ran to what could have been his grandmother or whoever else (I'm quite blind if you didn't know and was unable to tell) who was completely covered in a burka and it just made me smile and think. Connotations to do with the Middle East are so wrong. Life is beautiful here. Life is beautiful everywhere. And ranges in personality, dress and whatever else exist in every country, every state, every city and every family.
After being inspired by just the ride, we arrived at the beautiful home of Professor Waed and her family. A gate enclosed by stone wall and overhanging trees and flowers of all colors greeted us as we stepped off of the bus. After being let in, we walked onto an enchanting little walkway. There were lion statues! We sat down inside to meet Waed's father, mother, sisters and slightly smaller relatives (who were very cute!) and enjoy some coffee. Muhammed's father and brother also joined us and there was general chatter and getting to know one another. Waed's mother allows no English, which was fun and Muhammed's father has spent a good portion of his life in Germany. To summarize: there were a lot of cool people in the room. And then? Then there was mansif. If you're of the Christian religion, you may appreciate that this was much like God deeming there be light...or air to breathe. There was a lot of mansif anticipation. Zach's smile was approximately the width of a large whale. Accurate. When the food was ready, we all lined up to be served a heaping plate of lamb, rice and cooked yogurt. We were also photographed as we received our food. Please understand that this was a very big moment and we are all now officially ordained as Jordanians. Word play. Once we all had our mansif, most of us sat down together in a little patio-like area (the guys were placed on a separate porch, which I am convinced was done strategically in order to spare us their sounds of rejoicing) and enjoyed the greatest dish on the planet. It was very, very good. There were also mixed almonds in the rice, which was just ... oh, who knows. No words. It didn't even matter that my stomach was still sensitive...even my organs knew what an honor this was. They put aside their differences for the evening. We were also able to listen to Muhammed's dad tell us of how much he loves Germany and different aspects of their culture which compare to Jordan. He is an amazing man.
Once we finished devouring our first mansif meals, we headed up to the roof. Ok, wait. Disclaimer: Vanessa really, really loved the roof. The roof was amazing. Talk about views. Holy mansif. Waed's family lives on the highest hill in Jordan and from their rooftop, you are able to see all of Irbid. Father Athamneh also pointed out to me where the Syrian border was in the midst of all of the lights and I could barely restrain my jaw from dropping. It was absolutely beautiful. By far, the most spectacular thing I've ever been given the opportunity to look at with my own eyes. And though they can't be seen in any of the pictures, it was also a beautifully starry night. And I have a real thing for stars. Anyway. It was beyond amazing. I wish everyone in the world could have been on that roof just to feel how moving it is (Although not while I was there because that large of a crowd would mostly give me anxiety...and someone would fall...I was just being metaphorical. Anyway!). I'm sorry for how long this blog is becoming, but it was a good night and details are necessary. We then got to sit in a UNHCR tent!! (These are sold to regular Jordanians because there is a tent overload due to all of the refugees currently in Jordan.) It was lined with beautiful pillows and cushions and had a table in the middle which held our shaii! (I'm in love with the tea here, if I haven't mentioned.) Afterwards, we did some more skyline-gazing and were also treated to watermelon for dessert! And it was absolutely delicious. And organic. Yum. At this point, we were all sitting in a circle near the wall...however, then there were shots heard from the wedding celebration happening next door. Before you find yourself alarmed, I should say that this is very common in Jordan. Particularly during wedding parties, shots will be fired into the air in celebration of the bride and groom etc. While this is not the most convenient tradition for neighbors sitting on rooftops, it's all in good fun! (We moved.) The remainder of the night was spent talking and laughing and enjoying the beauty around a small fire. More towards the end of our stay (it was probably nearing midnight) Waed's father joined our circle. First, he is extremely kind and generous. Second, wow. The humble, yet outstanding intelligence just kind of radiated off of him. He spoke to us for a bit about how human nature is to strive for progress merely for the sake of progress and how this is working to destroy us (this conversation was magnificently wise and also relevant to me because I just happened to read a book about this recently and so I was very excited). He then shared with us how important it is to keep family in your sights and not reach for money you do not need. He also recited some poetry in Old English. 'Nuff said. All in all, it was an amazing experience to be welcomed into a Jordanian home in the way that we were. Everyone was simply beautiful, in every aspect of the word.
More blog is to come! Shukran for reading! And I hope your day has been full of smiles :) If not, you are permitted to try for tomorrow in every time zone.
May 31st:
Life has been thrilling! And delicious! Also, happy June! The other night, we all took our beloved bus to Waed's family home in a city called Om Alreih, which translates to 'mother of the wind'. Just on the short trip there, an air of excitement and anticipation was already in the air. We entered a different part of Jordan and the skyline was just incredible. I could stare at the Jordanian skyline for the majority of my days so if you get the gist and want to skip down a bit, feel free. The sun was set in what seemed like the precise middle of the world. Everything is just so much more breathtaking here in the east. It looked absolutely perfect sitting atop the buildings in the distance, overlooking the endless land before it and us. As we traveled further, there was more farmland and shepherds were standing amongst sheep, cows and horses. When we began to get closer to our destination (this wasn't actually all that long of a bus ride, there was just a lot going on in my brain), we again reached city and we passed by a little girl running through the sidewalks in a white dress that looked very similar to one I had when I was small. It made me very happy...because she was happy...and I like seeing happy people (I'll stop). There was also a woman, dressed very casually with no hijab, swinging a small child around and laughing. Giggling, the toddler ran to what could have been his grandmother or whoever else (I'm quite blind if you didn't know and was unable to tell) who was completely covered in a burka and it just made me smile and think. Connotations to do with the Middle East are so wrong. Life is beautiful here. Life is beautiful everywhere. And ranges in personality, dress and whatever else exist in every country, every state, every city and every family.
After being inspired by just the ride, we arrived at the beautiful home of Professor Waed and her family. A gate enclosed by stone wall and overhanging trees and flowers of all colors greeted us as we stepped off of the bus. After being let in, we walked onto an enchanting little walkway. There were lion statues! We sat down inside to meet Waed's father, mother, sisters and slightly smaller relatives (who were very cute!) and enjoy some coffee. Muhammed's father and brother also joined us and there was general chatter and getting to know one another. Waed's mother allows no English, which was fun and Muhammed's father has spent a good portion of his life in Germany. To summarize: there were a lot of cool people in the room. And then? Then there was mansif. If you're of the Christian religion, you may appreciate that this was much like God deeming there be light...or air to breathe. There was a lot of mansif anticipation. Zach's smile was approximately the width of a large whale. Accurate. When the food was ready, we all lined up to be served a heaping plate of lamb, rice and cooked yogurt. We were also photographed as we received our food. Please understand that this was a very big moment and we are all now officially ordained as Jordanians. Word play. Once we all had our mansif, most of us sat down together in a little patio-like area (the guys were placed on a separate porch, which I am convinced was done strategically in order to spare us their sounds of rejoicing) and enjoyed the greatest dish on the planet. It was very, very good. There were also mixed almonds in the rice, which was just ... oh, who knows. No words. It didn't even matter that my stomach was still sensitive...even my organs knew what an honor this was. They put aside their differences for the evening. We were also able to listen to Muhammed's dad tell us of how much he loves Germany and different aspects of their culture which compare to Jordan. He is an amazing man.
Once we finished devouring our first mansif meals, we headed up to the roof. Ok, wait. Disclaimer: Vanessa really, really loved the roof. The roof was amazing. Talk about views. Holy mansif. Waed's family lives on the highest hill in Jordan and from their rooftop, you are able to see all of Irbid. Father Athamneh also pointed out to me where the Syrian border was in the midst of all of the lights and I could barely restrain my jaw from dropping. It was absolutely beautiful. By far, the most spectacular thing I've ever been given the opportunity to look at with my own eyes. And though they can't be seen in any of the pictures, it was also a beautifully starry night. And I have a real thing for stars. Anyway. It was beyond amazing. I wish everyone in the world could have been on that roof just to feel how moving it is (Although not while I was there because that large of a crowd would mostly give me anxiety...and someone would fall...I was just being metaphorical. Anyway!). I'm sorry for how long this blog is becoming, but it was a good night and details are necessary. We then got to sit in a UNHCR tent!! (These are sold to regular Jordanians because there is a tent overload due to all of the refugees currently in Jordan.) It was lined with beautiful pillows and cushions and had a table in the middle which held our shaii! (I'm in love with the tea here, if I haven't mentioned.) Afterwards, we did some more skyline-gazing and were also treated to watermelon for dessert! And it was absolutely delicious. And organic. Yum. At this point, we were all sitting in a circle near the wall...however, then there were shots heard from the wedding celebration happening next door. Before you find yourself alarmed, I should say that this is very common in Jordan. Particularly during wedding parties, shots will be fired into the air in celebration of the bride and groom etc. While this is not the most convenient tradition for neighbors sitting on rooftops, it's all in good fun! (We moved.) The remainder of the night was spent talking and laughing and enjoying the beauty around a small fire. More towards the end of our stay (it was probably nearing midnight) Waed's father joined our circle. First, he is extremely kind and generous. Second, wow. The humble, yet outstanding intelligence just kind of radiated off of him. He spoke to us for a bit about how human nature is to strive for progress merely for the sake of progress and how this is working to destroy us (this conversation was magnificently wise and also relevant to me because I just happened to read a book about this recently and so I was very excited). He then shared with us how important it is to keep family in your sights and not reach for money you do not need. He also recited some poetry in Old English. 'Nuff said. All in all, it was an amazing experience to be welcomed into a Jordanian home in the way that we were. Everyone was simply beautiful, in every aspect of the word.
More blog is to come! Shukran for reading! And I hope your day has been full of smiles :) If not, you are permitted to try for tomorrow in every time zone.
:o)
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful!