UPDATED- Day 2: Refugees and Identity in the Modern Middle East

I can’t believe it’s only our first full day here, since it feels like we’ve seen and done so much already. I know I’ll feel that way every day, and yet when it’s time to leave it will feel like it I blinked and it was over.

The theme of the day was Refugees and Identity in the Modern Middle East. Our day took us from popular tourist spots to poor refugee neighborhoods to a sparkling new luxury shopping complex nearing completion. The contrasts within the city were jarring.

After a crash course in Arabic and some cultural dos and don’ts, we headed to Hashem, a restaurant popular with tourists and locals alike, renowned for their falafel and for being a favorite of the King. Despite good intentions, Dave (aka Mr Kroch) and I somehow never made it there last summer. It was worth the wait, and we feasted on falafel, hummus and fatteh. We put our new cultural knowledge to use, trying to eat with our right hands and staying in our own “quadrant” of shared dishes.

Our two main activities were both informative and sobering. Jordan takes in a huge number of refugees, and we met with two different organizations working to address the challenges that these vulnerable populations face. At Collateral Repair Project, we learned about the ways the organization provides aid to families in need of all nationalities. We had the privilege of hearing a man from Iraq tell us part of his story and about the hardships refugees face in fulfilling basic needs such as food, health care, medicine, and work. We also met with our friend Paul (one of Ms OB's Dragon's instructors during her Dragons trip last year), at the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), whose organization focuses on the Syrian refugee crisis as well as refugees crises around the world. We plan to maintain relationships with these organizations and hope that this group of students, along with the greater Watkinson community, can contribute through fundraising, volunteering and simply spreading the word, in addition to seeking out opportunities to support refugees in our own community.

In contrast to the delicious but touristy Hashem, for dinner Mohammad took us to a hole-in-the wall restaurant that specializes in egg sandwiches. We got hot, fresh baked loaves of bread, then stuffed them with hard-cooked baked eggs, cheese, za’atar and a spicy red sauce and washed it down with tea.

Egg sandwiches- Jordanian -style

I find myself amazed over and over again by the level of maturity and independence of our students. Despite jet lag, language barriers and other discomforts, they are pushing themselves to make the most of the opportunity of being here. They have already struck up conversations with store owners, learned to lead the group through the city without a map, tried new foods, and gone to stores on their own. They’re pushing themselves out of their comfort zones both in ways that they’ve shared with the group, and, I’m sure, in ways that only they know.

         
-Ms Pistolessi

Here is Mr Kroch's take on the day- a repost from the Where There Be Dragons Yak Board:

Our students are beginning to settle into their roles, which they either chose or were nominated for by their peers. Youssef and Katherine were nominated to be our group leaders: they are tasked with carrying the medkit and taking the note of the general health and welfare of the group; they will communicate with the adults if there is anything they are noticing about the group (think of them like the team captains). Niy and Alina are in charge of food and water for the group, and when they notice that we are running low on water, or the group is hungry for a snack, they will procure these for the group (note: Dragons provides money for this and also coordinates and pays for breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Chanjoo is our Timekeeper: he makes sure that we are following our daily schedule and adhering to our agreed upon break times. Matteo is our Shepherd: when the group leaves an area he makes sure that no mess or personal items have been left behind. Alli is our Sage: she will frame our discussions and reflections by providing us with inspirational words, silly questions, or anything else that will stimulate, motivate, or challenge us; in addition, Alli will buy a copy of the Jordan Times (the students’ only news source to the outside world–this was their decision) and debrief the group on major news events. Jean is our Navigator: she leads our group when we’re walking, and will be increasingly tasked with finding our way home, like she successfully did last night when she led us home from dinner! Last, but certainly not least, Dawit and Avery are sharing the roles of Documentarian and Hype Beast: as Documentarians they are tasked with taking photos throughout the trip (thanks for the camera, Dr. O’Brien!) and ensuring that at least one student posts to the Yakboard each day. As Hype Beasts, they will provide energy and encouragement to the group, especially when they notice that the group’s energy or enthusiasm is flagging. These roles are designed to ensure that students are taking care of themselves and each other. We want our students to have agency and responsibility because they are old enough to do so and this is their journey. That said, there are four adults who are with these students every step of the way, who will remind students of their roles and support them in every way that we can.

Yesterday was our first full day in Jordan; the theme was “Refugees and Identity in Modern Middle East” After enjoying our first breakfast in Amman, we set out to the Jadal center for a morning session on Jordanian customs followed by an Arabic lesson. Our students were engaged and thoroughly enjoyed learning from our capable (and patient!) Dragons instructor, Mohammad. We then ate lunch at the famous Hashem Restaurant, which specializes in Falafel. Niy, who assured me that she doesn’t like falafel, agreed to try some and was won over. Really, there’s no higher praise I could give this place. We spent the afternoon visited two organizations that work with refugee populations: Collateral Repair Project (CRP) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). It was very helpful for the students to compare and contrast these organizations and see how they are meeting the needs of their beneficiaries (this is how they refer to the refugees they are working with). Our students were engaged, respectful, and asked thoughtful questions. They listened, they processed, and for some, this lit a fire in their bellies. This is why we are on this trip–for experiences like these. Our students got to spend time with the people who work in these incredible organizations and better understand the challenges of supporting refugees, both in Jordan and around the world (CRP is a more local organization, while NRC has field offices around the world). I am bursting with pride when I reflect on how our students have handled this trip so far: they have opened up their hearts and minds and they are supporting each other every step of the way. I could not have asked for a better group and I feel immense gratitude that I am here with them.

Today our theme is “Culture, Art, and Tradition” and you’ll hear all about it tomorrow. On to breakfast and then we tackle the day!

Yalla Habibi!

Mr Kroch and Katherine enjoying one of the many culinary surprises in Jordan

Mini-cooking lesson while assembling egg sandwiches

Dawit and Youssef enjoying some fresh baked bread

Simple is best: eggs, fresh baked bread, spicy red sauce and za'atar (the huge bowl of spice in the foreground)

Watkinson's friend in Jordan- Paul who works with the Norwegian Refugee Council

The travelers yesterday at the Jadal Center for Knowledge & Culture

Arriving at the Jadal Center for Knowledge & Culture