Coming back to Amman has brought with it familiar sounds, sites, and experiences. And of course there are the same old stresses - arguing with taxi drivers early in the morning who pretend their meters are broken, sipping tea and pounding out papers at work, fidgeting with the internet connection at home.
Yesterday our DukeEngage group was again invited to the US embassy (in my previous post I mentioned how we went for the first time because the ambassador graduated from Duke.) We were greeted by delicious desserts - trays of exotic sweets such as baklava and more traditional bets such as snickerdoodles and chocolate chip cookies.
As I munched away and tried to fend off a sugar rush, we were introduced to other Duke prospects and graduates who lived in Jordan. Among them was a rambunctious old man who taught political science at the University of Jordan. He regaled us with his story of how he lived and partied on Central Campus and laughingly flirted with his amused British research assistant. He also invited us to his house for Ramadan dinner.
Speaking of Ramadan, the fasting will begin tomorrow.
Though I am not muslim, I will partake in the fasting out of respect to my co-workers and host family. I am also deeply spiritual and will uphold Ramadan to partake in my own spirituality and hone in patience. The main question I am asking myself, though, is how long it will take my body to adjust to this new plan. And, of course, given the custom of feasting and merrying throughout the night - whether I will be gaining weight or losing weight through the week.
Nevertheless I am so blessed to be in Jordan during a time of such faith and joy and cannot wait to see the changes in the city!
Yesterday our DukeEngage group was again invited to the US embassy (in my previous post I mentioned how we went for the first time because the ambassador graduated from Duke.) We were greeted by delicious desserts - trays of exotic sweets such as baklava and more traditional bets such as snickerdoodles and chocolate chip cookies.
As I munched away and tried to fend off a sugar rush, we were introduced to other Duke prospects and graduates who lived in Jordan. Among them was a rambunctious old man who taught political science at the University of Jordan. He regaled us with his story of how he lived and partied on Central Campus and laughingly flirted with his amused British research assistant. He also invited us to his house for Ramadan dinner.
Speaking of Ramadan, the fasting will begin tomorrow.
I am both excited and apprehensive about taking part in this cultural experience. On one hand, I have so much respect and admiration for the Muslims for the act of fasting for 16 hours everyday for a month. No food, no water, no smoking, no cursing... The goal of this experience is identification and connection with faith and cultivation of virtues such as patience. One the other hand, I am not sure of how long I can join in without cracking under the pressure of hunger, fatigue, and thirst.
Ench'allah our workdays are shortened to 5 or 6 hours instead of the traditional 7 or 8.
The typical schedule of Ramadan is like so: workers leave around 3pm and go home to nap; women often forego the nap to cook up a feast for their family. The first meal is "iftar" and begins at sundown, or 8pm. There are still three meals - by they are spaced out throughout the night, with the last meal at 4am. Then the cycle of fasting, fatigue, and sleeping begins once more.
Though I am not muslim, I will partake in the fasting out of respect to my co-workers and host family. I am also deeply spiritual and will uphold Ramadan to partake in my own spirituality and hone in patience. The main question I am asking myself, though, is how long it will take my body to adjust to this new plan. And, of course, given the custom of feasting and merrying throughout the night - whether I will be gaining weight or losing weight through the week.Nevertheless I am so blessed to be in Jordan during a time of such faith and joy and cannot wait to see the changes in the city!
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