So I'm going to put out there right now...I'm scared.
Not terrified, pee myself, what am I going to do kind of scared. But for the first time since I've been in the Middle East, I am afraid.
Last night, I awoke to an almost 1 am text from my program that school was cancelled. The reason for this was extensive protests that began yesterday.
The reason for this protest is the increased cost of fuel as a result in the removal of government subsidies. The country is 3 billion dollars in the red, and had to figure out how to pay for things. The people are not just having protests in Amman, but all over the country. With how bad their budget is, I don't see how the government can back down. If they do, it'll be a temporary measure to be undertaken again, hopefully after I go home. This morning, the program director emailed an update that they essentially think that the protests will intensify. I am no where near the protests, and while this killed my weekend plans, I will be fine where I am at. My apartment is a steel cage. No getting in or out if the steel doors are locked.
Still, I worry.
"The general strike is growing, with more professional groups joining."
This is from our director of our program. It was the first thing I read this morning, and it was concerning, but I knew that my weekend had already been reduced to studying, so this didn't change a whole bunch.
I just read the next email. This is a holiday weekend, and many students had planned travel for the Islamic new year.
"The developing situation in the country warrants the following action. These measures are taken for your safety and are non-negotiable:
1.) If you are traveling for the long weekend by air, there is currently no need to alter your plans. Air traffic is moving normally, and private transportation (by taxi) to the airport remains safe and accessible. As always, we advise you to arrange with Taxi Mumayaz, the number for which is in your handbook. BE ADVISED: you should have a contingency plan in the event that borders close and you are unable to re-enter the country.
2.) Travel by land to Palestine and Israel is now off-limits. The areas near the border crossings were the scenes of very heavy demonstrations and road closures last night. Both public and private transport to and from the border crossings is too unpredictable right now. Likewise, the border itself, which is always unpredictable, is more so now. The risk may be too great that if you try to travel, the border may close and you would be stranded. Again, travel by land to Palestine and Israel is now off-limits. Sorry.
3.) Travel within Jordan is also now off-limits. The worst of the demonstrations are going on outside the capital and the transportation situation is unpredictable. Do NOT travel outside of Amman.
Failure to adhere to these emergency measures could result in severe sanctions. Worse, should you decide to disregard these emergency policies and get into real trouble, we will be absolutely powerless to try to help you.
We will continue to update you regarding developments as the situation warrants, but this is the final word on travel."
This is a significant development, because they really don't have any say on if we travel or not. They only have a say on if they will help us. Given the terrible PR of a justified abandonment and an issued statement saying we should of followed the rules, they would still attempt to rescue a wayward student. A lot of the program's threats on students are a lot of fluff. However, this mention of sanctions? I don't even know what that means. I just know it sounds like stronger language then they have ever used before.
I ran out of credit on my phone and did not remember to refill it yesterday. I only impulse bought a much larger internet card than I usually buy. I will be good on internet this weekend, but I need a phone, and there's not much food in my house. I walked to the corner store relatively early and saw that I was not the only one with that idea. There were many, many people there, in what appeared to be an attempt to stock up a little. It appears that the natives are a little worried too.
Yet, I'm looking out my window, and children are still playing in the street. Does this mean it's really not that bad? Or does it just mean that I live in the Shmesani bubble, where the neighborhood is pretty wealthy and so just less likely to see violence.
5 more weeks before I go home...
Not terrified, pee myself, what am I going to do kind of scared. But for the first time since I've been in the Middle East, I am afraid.
Last night, I awoke to an almost 1 am text from my program that school was cancelled. The reason for this was extensive protests that began yesterday.
The reason for this protest is the increased cost of fuel as a result in the removal of government subsidies. The country is 3 billion dollars in the red, and had to figure out how to pay for things. The people are not just having protests in Amman, but all over the country. With how bad their budget is, I don't see how the government can back down. If they do, it'll be a temporary measure to be undertaken again, hopefully after I go home. This morning, the program director emailed an update that they essentially think that the protests will intensify. I am no where near the protests, and while this killed my weekend plans, I will be fine where I am at. My apartment is a steel cage. No getting in or out if the steel doors are locked.
Still, I worry.
"The general strike is growing, with more professional groups joining."
This is from our director of our program. It was the first thing I read this morning, and it was concerning, but I knew that my weekend had already been reduced to studying, so this didn't change a whole bunch.
I just read the next email. This is a holiday weekend, and many students had planned travel for the Islamic new year.
"The developing situation in the country warrants the following action. These measures are taken for your safety and are non-negotiable:
1.) If you are traveling for the long weekend by air, there is currently no need to alter your plans. Air traffic is moving normally, and private transportation (by taxi) to the airport remains safe and accessible. As always, we advise you to arrange with Taxi Mumayaz, the number for which is in your handbook. BE ADVISED: you should have a contingency plan in the event that borders close and you are unable to re-enter the country.
2.) Travel by land to Palestine and Israel is now off-limits. The areas near the border crossings were the scenes of very heavy demonstrations and road closures last night. Both public and private transport to and from the border crossings is too unpredictable right now. Likewise, the border itself, which is always unpredictable, is more so now. The risk may be too great that if you try to travel, the border may close and you would be stranded. Again, travel by land to Palestine and Israel is now off-limits. Sorry.
3.) Travel within Jordan is also now off-limits. The worst of the demonstrations are going on outside the capital and the transportation situation is unpredictable. Do NOT travel outside of Amman.
Failure to adhere to these emergency measures could result in severe sanctions. Worse, should you decide to disregard these emergency policies and get into real trouble, we will be absolutely powerless to try to help you.
We will continue to update you regarding developments as the situation warrants, but this is the final word on travel."
This is a significant development, because they really don't have any say on if we travel or not. They only have a say on if they will help us. Given the terrible PR of a justified abandonment and an issued statement saying we should of followed the rules, they would still attempt to rescue a wayward student. A lot of the program's threats on students are a lot of fluff. However, this mention of sanctions? I don't even know what that means. I just know it sounds like stronger language then they have ever used before.
I ran out of credit on my phone and did not remember to refill it yesterday. I only impulse bought a much larger internet card than I usually buy. I will be good on internet this weekend, but I need a phone, and there's not much food in my house. I walked to the corner store relatively early and saw that I was not the only one with that idea. There were many, many people there, in what appeared to be an attempt to stock up a little. It appears that the natives are a little worried too.
Yet, I'm looking out my window, and children are still playing in the street. Does this mean it's really not that bad? Or does it just mean that I live in the Shmesani bubble, where the neighborhood is pretty wealthy and so just less likely to see violence.
5 more weeks before I go home...
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