I'm sitting in Dubai airport for my lovely five hour lay over. I am terrified of flying, and so I took something in Jordan, and it's still percolating in my system....I'm so tired sitting here in Dubai. I is 9:30 and I have to stay awake until 2:50 in the morning. Not sure how I'll make it.
So this trip with my mom was probably one of my all time favorites ever. For the first time, I got to have an awesome, amazing place to show off. I got to communicate mostly in Arabic, and got to learn to direct in Amman (which my program said was impossible; don't even try). We had a really fun trip and I learned something extra about my camera...right before it broke. So, after I get it fixed, I'll have another tool to add to my picture taking skills.
Best of all, I learned that I can function just fine traveling alone in the world. My Arabic is good enough; I can ask for help from people, and understand the basic message. I'm not fluent, but I am conversant. I still have plenty of work to do, but I definitely did accomplish a ton. I also learned about my own personal boundaries, and what I will and will not do. I'm ok with people not living up to my expectations. And, I'm fine doing something completely different and deciding to make it work. I think these skills are ones that few people decide to step out of their comfort zones for.I'm really glad I did.
I'm so happy to get home.
In the coming days, I'll try to remember all the little stories of what happened on our trip, and put up pictures. One that comes to my mind right now is about the dude that tried to rip us off at Jerash.
He convinced us to go up the side of a mountain and he did show us cool stuff. He spent five minutes explaining that the rocks at the top of the structures, which linked two standing pillars would make noise if there was seismic activity. They would bong. it was really cool. Then when we were done with him, he decided he deserved a JD for his time. Out here, a JD almost gets me to school, and that includes the cost of the gas. He went to my mom first, and asked for it, and I said no. That's too expensive. I offered him a quarter, and he told me that was nothing, like he was so insulted. We didn't ask him for any information at all, so I was offended that my quarter wasn't good enough. So I said, ok...you get nothing, and started to walk away. He started explaining again that he deserved a JD and I told him no, and now you're harassing me. Go away. He was gone for a while, but then we crossed paths again. He pulled the same crap, and I was like ok, it sounds like I need to go find someone to help with my problem. He immediately backed off and did not holler at us again. I suspect that he was one of those who I saw jump the fence, and were making their living off of tourists without having to actually have a job.
I think it made me so angry because it's the attitude that Americans are wealthy so they should have to part with that money. However, this irritates me. First, people don't stay wealthy from every dude who thinks they want my money. Second, I am NOT wealthy. Third, he did not provide an amazing, intensive service. For him, he was getting 60 JD an hour, which equates to like 80 Dollars, all for telling a few little facts. it just wasn't worth it. So, I was irritated.
When I arrived here, I was afraid that you could not call men out on their stupid behavior. However, it turns out there's no problem with that, and this was the first time I really stood up for myself. I won that arguement, and did not suffer any consequences for it.
So this trip with my mom was probably one of my all time favorites ever. For the first time, I got to have an awesome, amazing place to show off. I got to communicate mostly in Arabic, and got to learn to direct in Amman (which my program said was impossible; don't even try). We had a really fun trip and I learned something extra about my camera...right before it broke. So, after I get it fixed, I'll have another tool to add to my picture taking skills.
Best of all, I learned that I can function just fine traveling alone in the world. My Arabic is good enough; I can ask for help from people, and understand the basic message. I'm not fluent, but I am conversant. I still have plenty of work to do, but I definitely did accomplish a ton. I also learned about my own personal boundaries, and what I will and will not do. I'm ok with people not living up to my expectations. And, I'm fine doing something completely different and deciding to make it work. I think these skills are ones that few people decide to step out of their comfort zones for.I'm really glad I did.
I'm so happy to get home.
In the coming days, I'll try to remember all the little stories of what happened on our trip, and put up pictures. One that comes to my mind right now is about the dude that tried to rip us off at Jerash.
He convinced us to go up the side of a mountain and he did show us cool stuff. He spent five minutes explaining that the rocks at the top of the structures, which linked two standing pillars would make noise if there was seismic activity. They would bong. it was really cool. Then when we were done with him, he decided he deserved a JD for his time. Out here, a JD almost gets me to school, and that includes the cost of the gas. He went to my mom first, and asked for it, and I said no. That's too expensive. I offered him a quarter, and he told me that was nothing, like he was so insulted. We didn't ask him for any information at all, so I was offended that my quarter wasn't good enough. So I said, ok...you get nothing, and started to walk away. He started explaining again that he deserved a JD and I told him no, and now you're harassing me. Go away. He was gone for a while, but then we crossed paths again. He pulled the same crap, and I was like ok, it sounds like I need to go find someone to help with my problem. He immediately backed off and did not holler at us again. I suspect that he was one of those who I saw jump the fence, and were making their living off of tourists without having to actually have a job.
I think it made me so angry because it's the attitude that Americans are wealthy so they should have to part with that money. However, this irritates me. First, people don't stay wealthy from every dude who thinks they want my money. Second, I am NOT wealthy. Third, he did not provide an amazing, intensive service. For him, he was getting 60 JD an hour, which equates to like 80 Dollars, all for telling a few little facts. it just wasn't worth it. So, I was irritated.
When I arrived here, I was afraid that you could not call men out on their stupid behavior. However, it turns out there's no problem with that, and this was the first time I really stood up for myself. I won that arguement, and did not suffer any consequences for it.
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