Hello,
The first think I did today was head to the Police Station with SIT to extend our visas. We needed to fill out forms and be finger printed. I'm very fortunate that SIT filled out the forms for me before we arrived today. I was told that if I had done it, it would have taken me at least three hours if there were not any issues. Ahmed, aka "the man", helped us through the process. I'm very thankful that they helped us.
The Police Station is a very busy place. While I was there, I saw a large group of men holding passports from the Philapinnes being finger printed. I would assume that they were extending their visas as well or possibly applying for a work permit. The SIT group found the staff at the Police Station to be grumpy. The lady worker would slam people's fingers on the metal bar while doing the finger printing. When we commented on this, Ahmed said be happy we went to the "nice" police station. Ouch! Also, workers at the Police Station tend to be very annoyed because they are super busy with Syrians applying for visas or to extended visas.
I'm happy that I went to see where the Police Station is. It is an important place to know how to get to.
Today during research methods, I learned about some people's possible reaserach topics for their major papers. During the course of the discussion, I learned a few things.
1) The Issue of Marrying Syria Women Refugees- Apparently this has become a big issue. Jordanian, Turkish and men with access to Syrian Refugee camps are asking to marry Syrian women. This is because the dowry is low because the women is not in a position to ask for more or what is really appropriate. By marrying the man, she would leave the refugee camp and have a chance at citizenship. Many Immans, Muslim religious leaders, are preaching against this as it is taking advantage of women.
Below are two articles about this
Syrian Women
Also, we had another Safety and Security discussion today with all the staff members, even though Ahmed is in charge of this part of the program. We asked Ahmed about what to do when stopped by the Mukhabarat, or Jordanian secret Police. A couple of days ago, two boys from our group were walking around a popular street, Rainbow Street. They were writing down notes and pointing at buildings. They saw a building with a guard and decided to ask what the building was. The guard responded that he did not know. They later found out it was the Saudi Arabian Embassy. Shorty after this, a member of the Mukharbarat came up to the boys to ask them what they were doing. They responded that they are students working on a map project for Arabic class. The man was content with this and walked away. Ahmed told them that they did the right thing. We are not to show ID unless they show us theirs first. Ahmed told us to call him if we ever have any problems. Honestly, Ahmed is a beast, so I would definately call. He is also so nice and helpful. It is also good to note that Jordan is super strict about its embassies. You can not take pictures and they do not want people stopping to stare at them and take pictures. They do not want any issues.
The Mukhabarat is a organization that is super secret and works within the shadows of the Jordanian government. It is formally known as the General Intelligence Directorate in Jordan. Their mission is to create stability in Jordan as well as to protect its values. The Mukhabarat has a realivly close relationship with the United States CIA. It is alledged that the Muhhabarat tried to warn the US about the terrorist attack on 9/11. However, details seemed to be too vague for the United States to use the information. It is also allegded that the Mukhadarat cuts off broadcasts and stops the media sometimes from posting things against the King. However, the people in Jordan do have a good degree of free speech.
Also, the Mukhabarat is not like the vice police in Saudi Arabia. Things are not that strict here. The Mukhabarat most likely would not care if I looked like a whore.
Below are some links about the Mukhabarat:
Jordanian Intelligence
Problems with the Mukhadarat
Also, during the discussion, I asked Ahmed and Dema about my cab problems. Many taxi drivers do not know the way to my home and it is confusing and frustrating. Ahmed and Dema were puzzled. I live in a well known area of town, surely all taxi drivers know where my neighborhood is. Turns out, many taxi drivers might not want to drive to my house or just want to run up the meter. Dema and Ahmed are going to give me better instructions to my home with more landmarks in case a taxi driver is actually confused. Someone also hinted that perhaps the occasional taxi driver cannot read. I kinda believe this. I have had taxi drivers drive straight past the sign with the name of my neighborhood on it. Ahmed and Dema looked sad about my trouble with transportation. I felt bad to make them worry, but I am glad they want to help. :)
The real reason for the security and safe discussion today was because Tawjihi (توجهي) is tomorrow night. Tawijhi is the entrance exam to the universities in Jordan. A students performance on this exam will determine if they go to University in Jordan and to which school they will go. Since there are more people apply for school than seats, this test is important. The announcement of the test results is tomorrow night. As a result, it is a custom to shoot off guns if your child gets into school. Occasionally, a person will be accidentally shot by celebratory fire. Ahmed wanted us to be aware so we don't panic when we hear shots or walk around the streets when the guns were being shot off.
Here is a link about the tests:
When things go sour..But Congrats you got into College!
Today I went to lunch with a group from SIT and got ice cream afterwards. It was delicious! I had a chocolate mouse flavor that was supreme! One friend got caramel and the other got some type of fruit flavor. We had a nice time walking back while eating our ice cream and enjoying the warm weather.
After school, I went to an outdoor mall with some friends and went to Starbucks. I enjoyed a piece of blueberry cheesecake and walking around some stores. At some point, I will buy a dress. I saw some I liked today, but I'm just not in the mood to try things on. Maybe this weekend.
When I got home today, my host mom had her two friends over. We celebrated her birthday with a cake, much like Tiramusu. It was delicious and the candles were these huge sparklers. I have definately eaten far too much today. I enjoyed listening to the women's conversations in Arabic. While I will not freely speak in Ameia yet due to my lack of ability, I do feel like I have somehow acquired some skills. I could follow the basic outline of the conversation and slightly respond when appropriate.
I also talked to my host brother today as part of a group with the ladies. He told me that only old people speak and know Fusha, so I am essentially an old person. I just laughed. At least I'm trying. I haven't heard him speak English once, so I don't feel bad about my language abilities. I'm able to communicate okay on a daily basis, even if I speak like an old person, so I'm pretty content. He also asked me if I could read Arabic poetry. I said no because thats advanced and I have never done it before. He then said something about my knowledge, but to be honest I zoned out and just enjoyed the cake lol. I think he was trying to get to me, but he failed lol. I tried to help one of the ladies with her Iphone, but failed because I did not know the app. The ladies really seemed to get a kick out of the fact that I know some Arabic. They were nice to let me sit next to them and listen.
illa liqua! (talk to you later)
Natalie
The first think I did today was head to the Police Station with SIT to extend our visas. We needed to fill out forms and be finger printed. I'm very fortunate that SIT filled out the forms for me before we arrived today. I was told that if I had done it, it would have taken me at least three hours if there were not any issues. Ahmed, aka "the man", helped us through the process. I'm very thankful that they helped us.
The Police Station is a very busy place. While I was there, I saw a large group of men holding passports from the Philapinnes being finger printed. I would assume that they were extending their visas as well or possibly applying for a work permit. The SIT group found the staff at the Police Station to be grumpy. The lady worker would slam people's fingers on the metal bar while doing the finger printing. When we commented on this, Ahmed said be happy we went to the "nice" police station. Ouch! Also, workers at the Police Station tend to be very annoyed because they are super busy with Syrians applying for visas or to extended visas.
I'm happy that I went to see where the Police Station is. It is an important place to know how to get to.
Today during research methods, I learned about some people's possible reaserach topics for their major papers. During the course of the discussion, I learned a few things.
1) The Issue of Marrying Syria Women Refugees- Apparently this has become a big issue. Jordanian, Turkish and men with access to Syrian Refugee camps are asking to marry Syrian women. This is because the dowry is low because the women is not in a position to ask for more or what is really appropriate. By marrying the man, she would leave the refugee camp and have a chance at citizenship. Many Immans, Muslim religious leaders, are preaching against this as it is taking advantage of women.
Below are two articles about this
Syrian Women
Also, we had another Safety and Security discussion today with all the staff members, even though Ahmed is in charge of this part of the program. We asked Ahmed about what to do when stopped by the Mukhabarat, or Jordanian secret Police. A couple of days ago, two boys from our group were walking around a popular street, Rainbow Street. They were writing down notes and pointing at buildings. They saw a building with a guard and decided to ask what the building was. The guard responded that he did not know. They later found out it was the Saudi Arabian Embassy. Shorty after this, a member of the Mukharbarat came up to the boys to ask them what they were doing. They responded that they are students working on a map project for Arabic class. The man was content with this and walked away. Ahmed told them that they did the right thing. We are not to show ID unless they show us theirs first. Ahmed told us to call him if we ever have any problems. Honestly, Ahmed is a beast, so I would definately call. He is also so nice and helpful. It is also good to note that Jordan is super strict about its embassies. You can not take pictures and they do not want people stopping to stare at them and take pictures. They do not want any issues.
The Mukhabarat is a organization that is super secret and works within the shadows of the Jordanian government. It is formally known as the General Intelligence Directorate in Jordan. Their mission is to create stability in Jordan as well as to protect its values. The Mukhabarat has a realivly close relationship with the United States CIA. It is alledged that the Muhhabarat tried to warn the US about the terrorist attack on 9/11. However, details seemed to be too vague for the United States to use the information. It is also allegded that the Mukhadarat cuts off broadcasts and stops the media sometimes from posting things against the King. However, the people in Jordan do have a good degree of free speech.
Also, the Mukhabarat is not like the vice police in Saudi Arabia. Things are not that strict here. The Mukhabarat most likely would not care if I looked like a whore.
Below are some links about the Mukhabarat:
Jordanian Intelligence
Problems with the Mukhadarat
Also, during the discussion, I asked Ahmed and Dema about my cab problems. Many taxi drivers do not know the way to my home and it is confusing and frustrating. Ahmed and Dema were puzzled. I live in a well known area of town, surely all taxi drivers know where my neighborhood is. Turns out, many taxi drivers might not want to drive to my house or just want to run up the meter. Dema and Ahmed are going to give me better instructions to my home with more landmarks in case a taxi driver is actually confused. Someone also hinted that perhaps the occasional taxi driver cannot read. I kinda believe this. I have had taxi drivers drive straight past the sign with the name of my neighborhood on it. Ahmed and Dema looked sad about my trouble with transportation. I felt bad to make them worry, but I am glad they want to help. :)
The real reason for the security and safe discussion today was because Tawjihi (توجهي) is tomorrow night. Tawijhi is the entrance exam to the universities in Jordan. A students performance on this exam will determine if they go to University in Jordan and to which school they will go. Since there are more people apply for school than seats, this test is important. The announcement of the test results is tomorrow night. As a result, it is a custom to shoot off guns if your child gets into school. Occasionally, a person will be accidentally shot by celebratory fire. Ahmed wanted us to be aware so we don't panic when we hear shots or walk around the streets when the guns were being shot off.
Here is a link about the tests:
When things go sour..But Congrats you got into College!
Today I went to lunch with a group from SIT and got ice cream afterwards. It was delicious! I had a chocolate mouse flavor that was supreme! One friend got caramel and the other got some type of fruit flavor. We had a nice time walking back while eating our ice cream and enjoying the warm weather.
After school, I went to an outdoor mall with some friends and went to Starbucks. I enjoyed a piece of blueberry cheesecake and walking around some stores. At some point, I will buy a dress. I saw some I liked today, but I'm just not in the mood to try things on. Maybe this weekend.
When I got home today, my host mom had her two friends over. We celebrated her birthday with a cake, much like Tiramusu. It was delicious and the candles were these huge sparklers. I have definately eaten far too much today. I enjoyed listening to the women's conversations in Arabic. While I will not freely speak in Ameia yet due to my lack of ability, I do feel like I have somehow acquired some skills. I could follow the basic outline of the conversation and slightly respond when appropriate.
I also talked to my host brother today as part of a group with the ladies. He told me that only old people speak and know Fusha, so I am essentially an old person. I just laughed. At least I'm trying. I haven't heard him speak English once, so I don't feel bad about my language abilities. I'm able to communicate okay on a daily basis, even if I speak like an old person, so I'm pretty content. He also asked me if I could read Arabic poetry. I said no because thats advanced and I have never done it before. He then said something about my knowledge, but to be honest I zoned out and just enjoyed the cake lol. I think he was trying to get to me, but he failed lol. I tried to help one of the ladies with her Iphone, but failed because I did not know the app. The ladies really seemed to get a kick out of the fact that I know some Arabic. They were nice to let me sit next to them and listen.
illa liqua! (talk to you later)
Natalie
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