I meant to write about this about two weeks ago, but I forgot. December 1st was my last Saturday in Jordan, in some ways it was rather depressing. Anyway, on Facebook, I have alluded to the adventure I had, and will now narrate it, in detail.
At the beginning of the semester, Lucy and I met this girl, Isra. We became friends and saw her during the semester. Lucy saw her more than I did, but we did hang out a little. Anyway, Isra is from Jerash, but she's a student at the University (right by our apartments), and she invited us to visit her and her family in Jerash for dinner. We had originally planned to go on November 17th. However, the protests regarding the lifting of subsidies here in Jordan happened, and Gaza and Israel had their little incident, so we spent hte weekend under house arrest. After re-planning, we realized that the only available day was our last Saturday in Amman. So, Lucy and I and our friend Michael (since we would get back late, we had to have a guy with us) went up to Jerash.
Isra is Palestinian, and she lives in a refugee camp in Jerash. The image you get is of UNICEF tents, like the Syrian refugee camps, but, because the Palestinians have been here so long, their "camp", is more of a small town.
Anyway, Lucy, Michael and I go to Jerash and then catch a bus to the camp and meet Isra there. When we got on the bus, everyone stared at us. Several times we had people ask us if we knew where the bus was going. I felt awkward and out of place, like I was being gawked at. I hadn't felt that uncomfortable since the beginning of the semester.
Isra found us, and we all went back to her house. We had a traditional Palestinian "feast", which was delicious. I'm surprised that I haven't gained 10 pounds while I've been here, since the people feed you until you're full, and then feed you some more.
Getting back to Amman was the adventure. We got a ride back to Jerash bus station from a guy from Isra's camp. He said he was her relative, but she didn't recognize him. We get to the bus station, and the guy who gave us a ride gets out to go negotiate the price with a taxi driver. He comes back and tells us that the driver wants 3 JD from each of us (which is twice the normal fare). When we say 'no', the taxi driver and the guy who brought us to the bus station start getting upset and yelling. At this point, Isra says we should just find someone driving by who is heading towards Amman and ask if we can get a ride with them.
Luckily, we quickly found a car who was willing to take us to Amman, they asked for 1.25 JD from each of us. So, Isra begins putting her stuff in the trunk, when the guy who drove us comes and tries to take Isra's stuff. He also grabs Michael and starts trying to drag him off back towards the van. The guy is yelling "I am your relative. You are my responsibility, I have wasta (meaning social connections)". Then the taxi driver comes over and is getting mad too, then other taxi drivers come as well, and you can feel the tension rising and it was getting close to coming to blows. While Isra is busy trying to fight the guy who drove us, off, the police drive by, see what's going on, and begin yelling at us with their megaphone. Things then clear up, and the four of us cram into the backseat of a car. It was rather entertaining, since we were trying to fit four of us in the back (which was designed for 3), because the driver and passenger seats were filled. We all got very cozy and close with each other. Lucy and Isra were pretty squashed together, and then I was bext to Lucy, with Michael on my other side. Michael ended up with one arm around me, half sitting on my side. But, thankfully, the drive is only about 30-40 minutes, so it wasn't too long. It was quite the adventure, and a great way to end my last Saturday.
Anyway, Lucy, Michael and I go to Jerash and then catch a bus to the camp and meet Isra there. When we got on the bus, everyone stared at us. Several times we had people ask us if we knew where the bus was going. I felt awkward and out of place, like I was being gawked at. I hadn't felt that uncomfortable since the beginning of the semester.
Isra found us, and we all went back to her house. We had a traditional Palestinian "feast", which was delicious. I'm surprised that I haven't gained 10 pounds while I've been here, since the people feed you until you're full, and then feed you some more.
Getting back to Amman was the adventure. We got a ride back to Jerash bus station from a guy from Isra's camp. He said he was her relative, but she didn't recognize him. We get to the bus station, and the guy who gave us a ride gets out to go negotiate the price with a taxi driver. He comes back and tells us that the driver wants 3 JD from each of us (which is twice the normal fare). When we say 'no', the taxi driver and the guy who brought us to the bus station start getting upset and yelling. At this point, Isra says we should just find someone driving by who is heading towards Amman and ask if we can get a ride with them.
Luckily, we quickly found a car who was willing to take us to Amman, they asked for 1.25 JD from each of us. So, Isra begins putting her stuff in the trunk, when the guy who drove us comes and tries to take Isra's stuff. He also grabs Michael and starts trying to drag him off back towards the van. The guy is yelling "I am your relative. You are my responsibility, I have wasta (meaning social connections)". Then the taxi driver comes over and is getting mad too, then other taxi drivers come as well, and you can feel the tension rising and it was getting close to coming to blows. While Isra is busy trying to fight the guy who drove us, off, the police drive by, see what's going on, and begin yelling at us with their megaphone. Things then clear up, and the four of us cram into the backseat of a car. It was rather entertaining, since we were trying to fit four of us in the back (which was designed for 3), because the driver and passenger seats were filled. We all got very cozy and close with each other. Lucy and Isra were pretty squashed together, and then I was bext to Lucy, with Michael on my other side. Michael ended up with one arm around me, half sitting on my side. But, thankfully, the drive is only about 30-40 minutes, so it wasn't too long. It was quite the adventure, and a great way to end my last Saturday.
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