Hello from Istanbul, Turkey!
The past 2 weeks have been a crazy experience of new cultures, new food, and new climates (for real guys it's gettin' cold).
Last week we left Amman and went to Morocco and oh my goodness, I loved it for a few reasons. First of all the food. Specifically breakfast. Guys I love breakfast, it just understands me. On our first morning in the incredible city of Marrakech, we went out to look for breakfast, and we were not disappointed. The lattes there (called nous nous) were a dollar. One dollar for a latte. And they were fantastic! To make things even better we found croissants (because of the French influence in Morocco) and found this bakery where they sold croissants for 10 cents. Guys. Fresh chocolate croissants were 10 cents. So naturally I bought 10 the first day... and maybe every day after that. I won't disclose that information. Moroccan culture is also incredible to experience. The greatest time we had was at a medina called Jemaa El Fna in the heart of Marrakech. There was SO much going on in this area. Along with rows on rows on rows of shops with everything you could think of buying, there were fresh juice bars that sold cups of fresh juice for 40 cents (like seriously, this country knows what's UP in terms of prices), tea shops/cafes, snake charmers with REAL live snakes moving to the music, and trained monkeys that jump on you. Like this place was a hot mess, but it was such a great experience to be a part of.
The next stop was in Fez, which claims to be one of the biggest and oldest Medinas in the region and possibly the world. It was very different than Marrakech, because of the winding corridors and alleys, and the incredibly old architecture hidden throughout the city. While in Marrakech and Fez we also had the incredible opportunity to listen to some great speakers on religion, the role of women, politics and culture in Morocco from Moroccans. It really is a country unlike any other in the world because of the ties it carries to everyone. It is aligned with the West because it holds one of the longest treaties with the United States, some of the Moroccan dynasties reached up into Spain connecting ties with Europe, as an Islamic dominated society it holds ties to the Middle East and is part of the Arab League, and finally is known as the "economic gateway to Africa," and held former membership in the African Union. It really is such a diverse and beautiful country that you HAVE to visit. Also the croissants are cheap, so I really don't see an argument here.
After a one night stop on the coast in Casablanca, we departed for Istanbul, Turkey which has been one of my favourite cities after visiting it last year, and is currently still holding on to one of the top spots in my books. Like in Morocco, we've had the incredible experience to listen to some political figures, journalists, and other speakers discuss much of Turkey's history and current position in the world. Turkey is just such an interesting example of a combination of a beautiful and diverse history with a super modern society, universities and infrastructure. It is very rare that one can find a busy metropolitan city with such well a preserved and championed history as Istanbul.
Today we got to experience an authentic Turkish Hamam, which is the Turkish version of a Roman bath, but with a Turkish twist. I say a Turkish twist because I assume in a regular "Roman bath," there isn't a big Turkish man yelling at you in Turkish as he scrubs 14 layers of skin off you, and then slaps your back signaling for you to rotate. I came into the Hamam knowing how ticklish I was (guys I'm really bad) and I'm the guy that giggles when he gets patted down at any security checkpoint. I just have certain zones where I just laugh, and I can't help it. I felt like the pillsbury dough boy on steroids at the Hamam. So this Turkish man laid me down on my back and began to scrub my body with soap which wasn't bad. I really was enjoying it. And then he grabbed my thigh and started massaging down my leg and I yelled. Not like "ah." Like I YELLED and laughed at the same time. He was giving me weird looks the entire time, because when he massaged any part of my body I just began to laugh uncontrollably. I was a mess. But now my skin feels incredibly soft. Worth it? I think so.
I've learned and experienced so much on this travel component, and you should definitely visit Morocco and Turkey sometime soon. I leave Istanbul in a few days back to Amman, Jordan, where we only have just over 2 weeks left! I can't believe how fast time has gone here! I hope to maybe give an update one more time, but we will see! I'll also be updating photos on my Facebook in the near future.
Blessings!
Caleb G
Ps. I think my final Marrakech croissant count was 36. I had 36 in 3 days and it costed me $3.60. That is all.
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Thursday, November 19, 2015
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Old Conflicts & New Families
Hey everyone!
Lots has happened since my last post so I'll try to keep it brief, but not too brief that you still don't know what's going on.
Almost 2 weeks ago, the students and myself on the program came back from a travel study to Israel/Palestine to study the historic conflict taking place in the holy land. It was one of the most eye opening experiences I've ever been a part of, and was equally as amazing as it was challenging. We got to hear from some incredible speakers on both sides of the Arab/Israeli conflict and their opinions on the cause and solution to the conflict. I won't go into too many details about what and who we heard from, because I don't want this blog to be a political boxing ring, so if you're curious to hear more about the things we saw, and people we met, let me know face-to-face, or in a private message :)
Along with the lectures and speakers, we got to experience the sites that the holy land has to offer, such as: the Old City of Jerusalem (including the Wailing Wall, but excluding the Dome of the Rock), the Sea of Galilee, Bethlehem, Hebron and heaps of places that were mentioned in the Bible. If you were following the news during the time we were there, you'll know that we were there at an extremely high time of tension, where stabbings, shootings and demonstrations were abundant throughout Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. However we were totally safe, and there was never a time where I felt that I was in real danger from either side of the conflict. It was a memorable experience that I will never forget.
This week was also the last week for our service projects, that myself and my fellow students have been participating in once a week since the start of the semester. I got the incredible privilege to serve a pastor in the area and his ministry to Christian Iraqi refugees. These incredible people have fled their homes within the past 2 years to Amman, Jordan because of the heightened conflict happening near their homes in Iraq. What did I do you might ask? Well folks I taught English. That's right. Caleb, who is near illiterate in his reading English, poor in his written English, and who talks like a walking twitter handle was going to teach people ESL. I was just as scared as you are reading that sentence.
Not gonna lie, the first few weeks were super tough. I have the genetic makeup and personality to be a teacher, but I don't have a creative bone in my body to come up with material and present it. Luckily, I had some help from volunteers (one from California, and one from the Netherlands) who helped me create lesson plans week after week. Many times my students would ask me tough questions like, why sentences are created the way they are, and what certain words mean (try explaining the word "think" without using the word "think" or "thought" to describe it). I've been speaking English for 23 years and I still don't know how to use words properly. This has made me come to the conclusion that English sucks, and I commend whoever has attempted or succeeded in learning it. My hats off to you.
However, as the weeks went on, I found my groove. I learned how my friends operated in learning, and I grew very close to them. It warmed my heart to watch them be so passionate to learn English, and it warmed my heart even more watching them succeed. Today was the last day of my ESL teaching, and I was extremely sad to leave my new family I had made in just 2 months. They have taught me so much about being grateful and happy in every circumstance, and to persevere through the trials life throws at you. I hope to one day meet up with them again (Insha-allah), as they have impacted my life in so many ways.
My 2 ESL classes
Next on Caleb's Arabian adventure is a journey to Morocco and Turkey for just over 2 weeks! I am SO excited to experience another Arab culture across the African continent from Jordan, and to experience the Turkish culture just north of myself (at the moment).
Side note: The Arabic in Morocco apparently is so different than the Arabic in Jordan. I'm literally gonna be down to knowing 2 words of Arabic by the time I get to Turkey, and then down to 1 word because of everyone speaking Turkish to me. Like actually. This is my life right now, but I wouldn't have it any other way. :)
Just over a month to go! I can't believe it's almost over!
God Bless!
Caleb G
This week was also the last week for our service projects, that myself and my fellow students have been participating in once a week since the start of the semester. I got the incredible privilege to serve a pastor in the area and his ministry to Christian Iraqi refugees. These incredible people have fled their homes within the past 2 years to Amman, Jordan because of the heightened conflict happening near their homes in Iraq. What did I do you might ask? Well folks I taught English. That's right. Caleb, who is near illiterate in his reading English, poor in his written English, and who talks like a walking twitter handle was going to teach people ESL. I was just as scared as you are reading that sentence.
Not gonna lie, the first few weeks were super tough. I have the genetic makeup and personality to be a teacher, but I don't have a creative bone in my body to come up with material and present it. Luckily, I had some help from volunteers (one from California, and one from the Netherlands) who helped me create lesson plans week after week. Many times my students would ask me tough questions like, why sentences are created the way they are, and what certain words mean (try explaining the word "think" without using the word "think" or "thought" to describe it). I've been speaking English for 23 years and I still don't know how to use words properly. This has made me come to the conclusion that English sucks, and I commend whoever has attempted or succeeded in learning it. My hats off to you.
However, as the weeks went on, I found my groove. I learned how my friends operated in learning, and I grew very close to them. It warmed my heart to watch them be so passionate to learn English, and it warmed my heart even more watching them succeed. Today was the last day of my ESL teaching, and I was extremely sad to leave my new family I had made in just 2 months. They have taught me so much about being grateful and happy in every circumstance, and to persevere through the trials life throws at you. I hope to one day meet up with them again (Insha-allah), as they have impacted my life in so many ways.
My 2 ESL classes
Next on Caleb's Arabian adventure is a journey to Morocco and Turkey for just over 2 weeks! I am SO excited to experience another Arab culture across the African continent from Jordan, and to experience the Turkish culture just north of myself (at the moment).
Side note: The Arabic in Morocco apparently is so different than the Arabic in Jordan. I'm literally gonna be down to knowing 2 words of Arabic by the time I get to Turkey, and then down to 1 word because of everyone speaking Turkish to me. Like actually. This is my life right now, but I wouldn't have it any other way. :)
Just over a month to go! I can't believe it's almost over!
God Bless!
Caleb G
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Sea Salt and Salam
Well look who came back a third time.
But for reals though, it's really cool that everyone can keep updated with me while I'm out here. I'm just imagining this happening like 80 years prior and I'm thinking to myself yea I would not write 100 telegrams to people back home. So this is great!
Well to start things off, Arabic classes are over, so you don't have to listen to me drab on and on about the classes and how hard but fun they were. This also is kind of sad because this is the last time we see our nurturer in a classroom setting, and it's even more sad because we're done Arabic. Like you guys this is the farthest I am going in this semester with this language, and I know how to say Eggplant, Goodbye, and Duck. That's a lie. I can say more words and construct basic sentences but the rest of the learning out here is now up to me to immerse myself into Jordanian conversations, and practice as much as I can. So I hope to keep up with my arabic Inshallah (10 points to whoever can remember what that means) for the rest of my time in the Middle East.
Something that has recently been very nice is the weather, as we hit 20 degrees today folks! 20 degrees! I'm at the point where I choose to put on pants because of the weather and not because I need to cover my legs in public, but don't worry people I still wore pants before. It's also kind of refreshing because while home in BC is probably dropping below the 20's with rain, Jordan just slowly drops in temperature and will produce no precipitation from the sky at all, making the desert a very comfortable place temperature-wise. It's also weird not to be bombarded with EVERYTHING ORANGE and FALL and OMG PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES (even though the Starbucks here does sell it).
MESP Mud bath
The painful (but exciting) "Dead Sea Dunk."
But for reals though, it's really cool that everyone can keep updated with me while I'm out here. I'm just imagining this happening like 80 years prior and I'm thinking to myself yea I would not write 100 telegrams to people back home. So this is great!
Well to start things off, Arabic classes are over, so you don't have to listen to me drab on and on about the classes and how hard but fun they were. This also is kind of sad because this is the last time we see our nurturer in a classroom setting, and it's even more sad because we're done Arabic. Like you guys this is the farthest I am going in this semester with this language, and I know how to say Eggplant, Goodbye, and Duck. That's a lie. I can say more words and construct basic sentences but the rest of the learning out here is now up to me to immerse myself into Jordanian conversations, and practice as much as I can. So I hope to keep up with my arabic Inshallah (10 points to whoever can remember what that means) for the rest of my time in the Middle East.
Something that has recently been very nice is the weather, as we hit 20 degrees today folks! 20 degrees! I'm at the point where I choose to put on pants because of the weather and not because I need to cover my legs in public, but don't worry people I still wore pants before. It's also kind of refreshing because while home in BC is probably dropping below the 20's with rain, Jordan just slowly drops in temperature and will produce no precipitation from the sky at all, making the desert a very comfortable place temperature-wise. It's also weird not to be bombarded with EVERYTHING ORANGE and FALL and OMG PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES (even though the Starbucks here does sell it).
This past Saturday the MESP crew and myself got to experience the Dead Sea! Man this body of water is evaporating faster than Arabic is from my brain, but it was crazy fun to experience the world famous sea's ability to make one float. It's crazy! So our Program Director has a MESP tradition called the "Dead Sea Dunk," which as a swimmer sounds like a lot of fun. Yay. Let's dunk under the water. Okay, well fun fact it burns. Like oh my goodness. It's so salty that my body just rejects that life choice I had just made. So here we are standing/floating with our eyes completely shut scared to open them, but we don't know how to get back to the dock where a Jordanian has a massive jug of fresh water to wash out our eyes. So we play this extremely hilarious and awful game of Marco Polo, where you try to return to the dock without opening your eyes, while the man at the dock is yelling, "Left/Straight etc." If you're like me, you're thinking meh it's fine. I'll find my way back myself using my eyes. Bad life choice. The agony of the salt on the eyes was unexplainable, and the need to return to the dock became #1 priority for my face. The fresh water on my face gave me such an unexplainable joy. Afterwards we lathered up in Dead Sea mud and pasted it on our body until it dried, and jumped back in and washed it off, and my skin had never felt so smooth from our spa treatment. Correction: our painful spa treatment.
We also have been studying the Arab/Israeli conflict in our centre, and on how simple it is. Oh sorry there was salt on my face, I meant to say how VAST and COMPLICATED it is. We've had a guest speaker come in who has done a tremendous job on equally displaying both sides of the conflict, and by playing devils advocate to his previous opinions. I am learning heaps about what has been going on in this part of the world for decades, and on the intricate, and complicated details surrounding small area, that has affected every corner of the earth. While I'm gaining incredible amounts of knowledge, it is also causing me to be even more confused. I guess that what they mean when they sometimes say, "The more you know the less you know," you know?
Finally, I wanted to give an update on myself. As some of you may know (from my last blog or word of mouth) my mom back in BC had developed breast cancer, and had went in for surgery to have it removed. The waiting for results is sometimes more excruciating than actually getting results, and this was no exception. I spent many nights trying to process what would happen if the results came back negative, and how I would react if my mom needed more treatment. 11:30 at night I get a message on my phone (the wifi doesn't reach in my room, so it shocked me) and it was from my mom. It read, "Just got my results back from the doctor and the cancer has not spread into my lymph nodes!" I read it and just stared. I didn't really believe it. Since then it's been taking a while for me to process everything that's happened. In one month I've gone from my mom having cancer, getting a surgery date, having surgery, and having results come back clean. So it's been very overwhelming for me. I guess because I had just finished processing that, yes my mom has cancer, and now I have to process back to, my mom doesn't have it anymore. So when I go home... it will be like nothing has changed, except much has changed.
A common theme has been racing through my mind these past few weeks/days is the idea of peace. In Arabic you greet one another with "Al-salamu-aleykum" which translated as, "Peace be upon you." Arabs are constantly wishing peace over each other, and it's been very beautiful to experience. I will sign off with my go to these past few weeks:
Finally, I wanted to give an update on myself. As some of you may know (from my last blog or word of mouth) my mom back in BC had developed breast cancer, and had went in for surgery to have it removed. The waiting for results is sometimes more excruciating than actually getting results, and this was no exception. I spent many nights trying to process what would happen if the results came back negative, and how I would react if my mom needed more treatment. 11:30 at night I get a message on my phone (the wifi doesn't reach in my room, so it shocked me) and it was from my mom. It read, "Just got my results back from the doctor and the cancer has not spread into my lymph nodes!" I read it and just stared. I didn't really believe it. Since then it's been taking a while for me to process everything that's happened. In one month I've gone from my mom having cancer, getting a surgery date, having surgery, and having results come back clean. So it's been very overwhelming for me. I guess because I had just finished processing that, yes my mom has cancer, and now I have to process back to, my mom doesn't have it anymore. So when I go home... it will be like nothing has changed, except much has changed.
A common theme has been racing through my mind these past few weeks/days is the idea of peace. In Arabic you greet one another with "Al-salamu-aleykum" which translated as, "Peace be upon you." Arabs are constantly wishing peace over each other, and it's been very beautiful to experience. I will sign off with my go to these past few weeks:
"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust." (Psalm 91)
Thanks for listening folks! I'll be travelling around the area this week until week, so I hope to update everyone as much as I can. Okay, that was probably the longest thing I've ever written in my life, so until next time!
Caleb G
Sunset on the Dead Seas overlooking Israel/Palestine
Monday, September 21, 2015
Epic Arabian Escapades
Marhaba again from beautiful Amman, Jordan.
I can't believe I've been in Jordan for almost 3 weeks even though sometimes I feel like I've just stepped off the plane, and some days I feel Amman has been my home for the past few months. Even as I sit at a cafe writing this, I feel so comfortable with the streets, people and lifestyle here in Amman (and not even kidding you right now, on the radio at this cafe they are playing an Arabic remix of "My Heart Will Go On," with Arab instruments and it changed my life. Seriously. 10 points to the strand cafe)
Well things have been pretty similar week to week here in Jordan. My Arabic has been getting better in my brain bank, but I still sound like an incompetent toddler when I try to utter hello. I can't tell you how many times I have accidentally ran into people and have meant to say, "I'm sorry" or "Excuse me," but end up muttering "Thank-you," to them in Arabic. Rookie mistake. -5 points for Caleb. Since we're being overloaded with nouns, verbs and common sentences it can be very overwhelming, but we always get excited when we hear the radio or someone talk on the phone and we can understand 2+ words they used. It's the little things you know?
We also got the chance to go to PETRA, and if you don't know what that is type it into Google right now, or just look at my photos on Facebook. Either way, check it out, open up Expedia or Travelocity and book your tickets to Amman ASAP, because it is one of the most amazing things you will ever see. I honestly thought it was just the one famous monument and that was it. I was incredibly wrong. It was an ancient city that had been preserved, and now occupied by tourists and Bedouins who live in villages around Petra, or in their local caves near or around the area. I also got the chance to ride a donkey up to the Monastery which was equally exciting as it was terrifying. I did feel really bad for the donkey because it was really small and I think I weighed just as much as it. So the idea of trying to carry another me up a mountain just makes me tired thinking about it. Nevertheless he made it! And the view from the top was unlike anything I'd ever seen or heard. It was absolute serenity and pictures do not do it justice to the slightest. The second day in Petra was exploring more of the surrounding mountains and hiking up to the "Place of High Sacrifice," Where "Alhamdulillah" (praise be to God) everyone that walked up, walked down, and no one was sacrificed. I could go on and on about how beautiful it was, but I'm pretty sure you all get the picture. Long story short. Go to Petra. Just do it. It's worth it.
The Siq - Petra
On another more serious note I want to share something that i've really had to rely on God for in these past few weeks with circumstances beyond my control. About 2 weeks ago, I found out my mom back home in Canada had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and I didn't know how to react to the news. It wasn't the first time I had been away from home when family health concerns arise, but I am literally across the world this time, and I wasn't sure how to react or what to do. The unknown is scary, but I am so thankful to serve a God who is good, who goes before me, and who knows what I need before I tell him. Even though I'm physically separated from my family during these trials, I feel overwhelming support from family and friends comforting not only my mom, but me across the world, and I feel the peace that passes understanding from our heavenly father above. It's unexplainable, but it is the strongest and most reliable thing I can hold on to in this lifetime. My mom is having surgery today to hopefully beat cancer for the second time, and even though I await anxiously for the results, I rest knowing that in all my life, he is still God, and I can always trust him to keep my head above the waters. So if you could keep my family in your prayers, I would be overwhelmingly grateful as I continue this adventure across the world.
I'm not sure when my next update will be, because we will be travelling around the area in the next bit. But I hope to keep you updated on my adventures and studies! Also feel free to shoot me an email, or message about what's going on in your life! I'd love to be kept updated!
Final shameless plug. Go to Petra. Now.
Caleb G
I can't believe I've been in Jordan for almost 3 weeks even though sometimes I feel like I've just stepped off the plane, and some days I feel Amman has been my home for the past few months. Even as I sit at a cafe writing this, I feel so comfortable with the streets, people and lifestyle here in Amman (and not even kidding you right now, on the radio at this cafe they are playing an Arabic remix of "My Heart Will Go On," with Arab instruments and it changed my life. Seriously. 10 points to the strand cafe)
Well things have been pretty similar week to week here in Jordan. My Arabic has been getting better in my brain bank, but I still sound like an incompetent toddler when I try to utter hello. I can't tell you how many times I have accidentally ran into people and have meant to say, "I'm sorry" or "Excuse me," but end up muttering "Thank-you," to them in Arabic. Rookie mistake. -5 points for Caleb. Since we're being overloaded with nouns, verbs and common sentences it can be very overwhelming, but we always get excited when we hear the radio or someone talk on the phone and we can understand 2+ words they used. It's the little things you know?
We also got the chance to go to PETRA, and if you don't know what that is type it into Google right now, or just look at my photos on Facebook. Either way, check it out, open up Expedia or Travelocity and book your tickets to Amman ASAP, because it is one of the most amazing things you will ever see. I honestly thought it was just the one famous monument and that was it. I was incredibly wrong. It was an ancient city that had been preserved, and now occupied by tourists and Bedouins who live in villages around Petra, or in their local caves near or around the area. I also got the chance to ride a donkey up to the Monastery which was equally exciting as it was terrifying. I did feel really bad for the donkey because it was really small and I think I weighed just as much as it. So the idea of trying to carry another me up a mountain just makes me tired thinking about it. Nevertheless he made it! And the view from the top was unlike anything I'd ever seen or heard. It was absolute serenity and pictures do not do it justice to the slightest. The second day in Petra was exploring more of the surrounding mountains and hiking up to the "Place of High Sacrifice," Where "Alhamdulillah" (praise be to God) everyone that walked up, walked down, and no one was sacrificed. I could go on and on about how beautiful it was, but I'm pretty sure you all get the picture. Long story short. Go to Petra. Just do it. It's worth it.
On another more serious note I want to share something that i've really had to rely on God for in these past few weeks with circumstances beyond my control. About 2 weeks ago, I found out my mom back home in Canada had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and I didn't know how to react to the news. It wasn't the first time I had been away from home when family health concerns arise, but I am literally across the world this time, and I wasn't sure how to react or what to do. The unknown is scary, but I am so thankful to serve a God who is good, who goes before me, and who knows what I need before I tell him. Even though I'm physically separated from my family during these trials, I feel overwhelming support from family and friends comforting not only my mom, but me across the world, and I feel the peace that passes understanding from our heavenly father above. It's unexplainable, but it is the strongest and most reliable thing I can hold on to in this lifetime. My mom is having surgery today to hopefully beat cancer for the second time, and even though I await anxiously for the results, I rest knowing that in all my life, he is still God, and I can always trust him to keep my head above the waters. So if you could keep my family in your prayers, I would be overwhelmingly grateful as I continue this adventure across the world.
I'm not sure when my next update will be, because we will be travelling around the area in the next bit. But I hope to keep you updated on my adventures and studies! Also feel free to shoot me an email, or message about what's going on in your life! I'd love to be kept updated!
Final shameless plug. Go to Petra. Now.
Caleb G
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
New Beginnings and Amman Adventures
As-salamu alaykum from across the world!
For those of you that know me well, you're probably thinking, "Why in the world is Caleb on a blog," and it's true. If anyone knows me you'll know that I cannot process inward very well and this blog will most likely be slathered with poor word choices, poor grammatical sentences, and most likely the world record for the longest run on sentences. I was considering creating a vlog (video-blog), but this will have to do for now.
Introductions have concluded. I am in Jordan! I have been living in Amman for the past 10 days, and have loved every second of it. From getting lost in a city with the Arabic language as our map, attempting to flag down a taxi in the crazy busy roads, sitting in awe as said taxi driver attempts to create their own lane in the road, or attempting to eat the bounty of food placed in front of you constantly, Jordan has been an exciting escapade, with a new adventure around every corner.
The first week was orientation week, where 16 other students (10 Americans, 6 Canadians and 1 Brit) and myself have been learning the ins and outs of the city, the country, and the vast culture we have arrived in. Luckily for us, our program director and his wife have lived and raised kids in the Middle East for the past 30+ years, so we are in good hands! We have been to many different places within the city, including an ancient roman amphitheatre and citadel that sits on one of Amman's 7 mountains.
This week we have started some of our classes, including the most anticipated (and most daunting), Arabic. Arabic is a beautiful language spoken or written, and I came to the conclusion that I would pick it up easy. Yea no. That conclusion ended 2 minutes into our Arabic class, when I realized how challenging this language we began to learn. One thing I have learned through our program director and many other speakers and Jordanians (or other Arabs) is that Arabic is more than just a language, it's a culture. One cannot fully understand one without the other. Our classes are very differently structured then other language courses one would take in North America. It involves 6 students, one nurturer (or "teacher"), no English (she will only speak Arabic), 3.5 hours, 4 times a week. So as you can probably guess it is the most intensely saturated language learning session one could ever encounter, but it is SO effective. The goal of the first few stages of this program is to listen. Listen to your nurturer talk, say nouns, verbs etc. and have it repeated so that it goes to memory. Eventually you begin to respond if she asks you a question, or asks you to participate in some part of the class. However, even after 3 classes I am starting to retain many nouns, verbs, and greetings (don't ask me to talk yet though. It's a long way from my brain to my mouth).
Even though I have been here for less than 2 weeks, it feels like home. Jordanians are extremely hospitable and almost everyone I encounter in a mall, cafe, or on the side of the road greets me with a smile. Even though a toddler would know more Arabic than me, it is exciting to interact with the locals here, and of course with my amazingly hilarious classmates as we journey this semester together!
I hope to continually update everyone about my adventures here in Jordan every now and again! As of now I cannot think of much else that I have done here, but I know as soon as I hit "send" I'll forget 80,000 things I wanted to mention in this blog, so I think I'll finish it off here.
Inshallah
Caleb G
Roman Amphitheatre - Amman
Overlooking Amman
Citadel with my fellow MESP'ers
For those of you that know me well, you're probably thinking, "Why in the world is Caleb on a blog," and it's true. If anyone knows me you'll know that I cannot process inward very well and this blog will most likely be slathered with poor word choices, poor grammatical sentences, and most likely the world record for the longest run on sentences. I was considering creating a vlog (video-blog), but this will have to do for now.
Introductions have concluded. I am in Jordan! I have been living in Amman for the past 10 days, and have loved every second of it. From getting lost in a city with the Arabic language as our map, attempting to flag down a taxi in the crazy busy roads, sitting in awe as said taxi driver attempts to create their own lane in the road, or attempting to eat the bounty of food placed in front of you constantly, Jordan has been an exciting escapade, with a new adventure around every corner.
The first week was orientation week, where 16 other students (10 Americans, 6 Canadians and 1 Brit) and myself have been learning the ins and outs of the city, the country, and the vast culture we have arrived in. Luckily for us, our program director and his wife have lived and raised kids in the Middle East for the past 30+ years, so we are in good hands! We have been to many different places within the city, including an ancient roman amphitheatre and citadel that sits on one of Amman's 7 mountains.
This week we have started some of our classes, including the most anticipated (and most daunting), Arabic. Arabic is a beautiful language spoken or written, and I came to the conclusion that I would pick it up easy. Yea no. That conclusion ended 2 minutes into our Arabic class, when I realized how challenging this language we began to learn. One thing I have learned through our program director and many other speakers and Jordanians (or other Arabs) is that Arabic is more than just a language, it's a culture. One cannot fully understand one without the other. Our classes are very differently structured then other language courses one would take in North America. It involves 6 students, one nurturer (or "teacher"), no English (she will only speak Arabic), 3.5 hours, 4 times a week. So as you can probably guess it is the most intensely saturated language learning session one could ever encounter, but it is SO effective. The goal of the first few stages of this program is to listen. Listen to your nurturer talk, say nouns, verbs etc. and have it repeated so that it goes to memory. Eventually you begin to respond if she asks you a question, or asks you to participate in some part of the class. However, even after 3 classes I am starting to retain many nouns, verbs, and greetings (don't ask me to talk yet though. It's a long way from my brain to my mouth).
Even though I have been here for less than 2 weeks, it feels like home. Jordanians are extremely hospitable and almost everyone I encounter in a mall, cafe, or on the side of the road greets me with a smile. Even though a toddler would know more Arabic than me, it is exciting to interact with the locals here, and of course with my amazingly hilarious classmates as we journey this semester together!
I hope to continually update everyone about my adventures here in Jordan every now and again! As of now I cannot think of much else that I have done here, but I know as soon as I hit "send" I'll forget 80,000 things I wanted to mention in this blog, so I think I'll finish it off here.
Inshallah
Caleb G
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