Whitman news since 1896

Whitman Wire

Vol. CLIV, Issue 6
Whitman news since 1896

Whitman Wire

Whitman news since 1896

Whitman Wire

Conflict

As many have you heard, or probably haven’t as from what I can tell from Western media, but things around here have heated up here. There are actually two points I would like to update you on – but first I want to reassure everyone that despite what has happened I am safe and my program is taking care of us so well! No worries! Stop it, I see you worrying! Stop! Everything is great here!

First, last Tuesday the Jordanian government announced that it would be removing all oil and gas subsidies on fuel and cooking gas, thus increasing the price by 33% – pushing the price to about $4.35/gallon in American terms. Many people throughout the country were outraged by this announcement, especially those living in the smaller cities. Many people are literally unable to afford this increased price and thus demonstrations and strikes occurred from the smallest villages to the capital city of Amman showing their frustration. In the smaller cities, violence erupted – people were killed, banks were robbed, tires and gas stations were set on fire, and police were kidnapped. In Amman, huge demonstrations were called for in Dakhalliya Circle (the traffic circle that the bank I have choir rehearsal at is next to), King Hussein Mosque, the University of Jordan, and other places throughout the city. Fortunately, all protests were relatively calm – some protesters were arrested (and likely tortured in Jordan’s terrifying underground prison system that may or may not exist) but overall nonviolent and organized in nature unlike their countryside counterparts. This occurred Tuesday night following the announcement. I didn’t hear about this until Wednesday morning when I checked my facebook in bed in order to prolong my time tucked into my covers and read the email from CIEE canceling all classes that day. It literally felt like a snow day back in high school – but instead of snow there were angry protesters… but basically the same thing. Attached is picture I got over twitter (twitter was actually very useful in following the current news of what was happening – news was very censored and biased).

The second thing you may or may not have heard about is the struggle between Gaza and Israel. Basically, bombs are being exchanged and innocent people are being killed on both sides. I have my opinion on the issue, but I’ll just this section to that. But in the end, travel over to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are highly unlikely to happen this trip. Which I am really frustrated about – but what can I do? It just gives me another reason to come back over here in the future!

These past couple of weeks – on a highly different note – I have joined the Rainbow Theatre Movie Club! I just recently discovered this movie theatre down on one my favorite streets in Amman and have fallen in love with it. Each week they have a different theme of movies they show, such as musicals, foreign film, documentary, James Bond, etc. This past week I attended a couple of nights during musicals week and watched Moulin Rouge and Chicago. It was awesome, but also really weird, watching these movies on the big screen. But sometimes while watching I would be taken aback by the haram (a word meaning awful, sexual explicit, anything PSA – a very catchall phrase) of some of the scenes. I mean, the ladies in those movies showed so much skin! I mean, I saw their knees and I was slightly offended! And when they showed the dancers in skin tight outfits I just thought to myself, “My eyes! Cover them up!” It made me realize how conditioned I am to noticing things like that and being so judgmental. It makes me wonder about when I return to the states and about the idea of reverse culture shock. I’ve talked a lot about coming here and adjusting to life and the struggles I’ve faced, but what do I do when I return home and everything I’ve been conditioned to here is flipped upside down? It’s a question that I’ve been trying to come up with a reasonable solution to but just haven’t had too much luck quite yet for answering.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! As you can probably guess, Thanksgiving is not celebrated here! GASP! I know, I know, I was surprised but luckily for me, CIEE is hosting a Thanksgiving lunch/dinner at the University of Jordan Cafeteria. Apparently there will be the classics such as turkey (which has rumors circulating that the turkeys will actually be from Turkey, which I think are true!), stuffing, pie, as well some Jordanian classics such as hummus, fool, and pita (of course!). I will miss celebrating with the family this year, but luckily I will be able to skype in my Friday morning (your Thanksgiving evening) to say hi to the fam fam.

My classes are going well. Modern Standard Arabic (Fusah arabee)is becoming my favorite class by a long shot, with my colloquial arabic class second. I have been doing exceptional in those classes, getting near 100% on all my tests and presentations. It’s sad though that a lot of students in my classes aren’t doing as well at all – mostly on the part that they don’t put in the time to study (at all). I just don’t understand. I mean, we’re in this program to learn Arabic, why not sieze this opportunity to do the best that you can? But I guess people have their reasons and the studious Nick side is definitely showing… My Area Study Courses (Alternative Perspectives and Politics of Water) are going as useless as ever. I did though get one of the only A’s on my research paper midterm for Alternative Perspectives (100% to be exact) and I just turned in another 10 page research paper on the pollution in the Jordan River for my Politics of Water class (and let me tell you, writing that paper was the last thing I wanted to do this past week – but it’s done at least!). But alas, classes are almost over. My friends and I counted today and we realized we only have 13 more Fusah Arabic classes left…. what?! I also realized that I will be home in exactly 1 month. Let the count down begin – but the bad thing is that I have so much left I want and need to visit and do before I leave! Hopefully my travel restrcition within the country will be raised soon and I will be able to go visit the Dead Sea and do a hike before I leave.

Inshallah salaam sakaan fee hatha ballad qabal uthHeb! (If God wills, peace will be upon this country before I go!)

Ma salaam usratee wa sahaabee wa sayeed عيد قومي في أمريكا (With peace my family and friends and happy Thanksgiving)

Nicholas

PS: Before I go I must say that I have a vendetta against the mosquitos in this country and I just remembered I wanted to tell you all about it when I heard one buzzing near my ear just now. I literally wake up with new mosquito bites every morning. In the evening I now have a personal game to see how many mosquitos I can kill before going to bed – today’s score is 4 so far (they’re so tiny and fast!). They always seem to bite the area that is not directly protected by covers when I am sleeping, which translates to getting many bites on my face, neck, and shoulders. At the beginning of the semester it did not matter how hot it was, I always needed a blanket on me for mosquito protection! However, I think the worst bite I have ever gotten was on the sole of my right fight (I must have stuck my foot too far out my covers that night) but walking the next day was a combination of tickles and mosquito bite pain. Luckily, I brought with me a giant tube of anti-itch cream which has made dealing with these little bastards a bit easier. But I do think that tube of cream has been the most useful thing I brought with me! And that’s the end of my rant. Bye!

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