Elections (or so they’re called…) and More.

I can’t remember if I mentioned before that University elections have been happening for a couple weeks now, and they day of the elections is this Thursday the 17th. We are not allowed to attend University that day. And here’s why.

In Jordan, there’s a but of what we call the Tribe problem. Jordanians come from Tribes, which are very much alive and well today. And when you run for President of your faculty in the University, you use your tribe and its status to get you elected, instead of a platform or agenda.

The other day we were sitting in class around 4 o’clock in the afternoon and heard a huge raucous. Everybody ran to the window and we could see hundreds of 20 year old boys in a massive fight, chasing each other down the main street of campus. If somebody insults your tribe, or the candidate from your tribe, EVERYBODY gets involved, and its a big fat mess. There are also no consequences for boys that are involved, because they usually use what we call wasta (connections) and wiggle their way out. So the fight probably went on for a good half hour because teachers don’t step in, and campus police don’t have that kind of control. This problem is apparently ten times bigger on the day of actual elections because of insults and what not. It was over by the time we left class and our professor left with us to make sure it was safe, so don’t worry.

Our friend, Aliet, who is running for President in her faculty, was telling us some of the tricks they use. Sometimes a girl will run and gather votes for herself, and then right before the day of elections, she pulls out of the running and endorses another guy, probably from her tribe, so he gets all of the votes. There is also no spending limit for your campaign, so this is what campus looks like right now.

The main street of campus is even worse because there are trees, and stapled to each of them are about 15 faces watching you walk by. It is a big deal though, because if you win, you get an incredible amount of wasta in the government and are almost guaranteed a government job after college.

On a completely different note, I would like you all to meet the Arabic level 5a class.

Poor Joe was the only boy all term, but my guess is he didn’t really mind…

Standing from left to right is Lina, Rachel, Soraya, Kelly and Caroline. And Sitting is Ayumi, Joe, Me, and Katie.

This Friday we had a little party at Natasha’s house with most of the girls. It was a blast. Here is a picture of all of us.

Left to Right: Farah (Natasha’s sis), Aunt Amani, Me, Mama (Alia), Natasha, Aunt Abeer (Natasha’s Mama), Sara, and Sara’s Mama (our grandma).

Natasha and our cousin Noor. She refused to take that out of her nose.

This is Noor’s brother, Mohamed, but we call him Hamoudeh. He’s cute and he knows it.

Yesterday I went to my peer tutor’s house, which is about a half hour drive outside of Amman. They put on a big meal for me and a ton of family came over. She has 12 brothers and sisters and most of the brothers all live together in the same apartment complex. Her sister-in-law made the food, and it was amazing. Probably some of the best I’ve had my entire time here. It was also a real culture shock. They are a very traditional family, and it was so great to be welcomed into it. I wish I had gone earlier in the term , because I would visit them all the time. It’s also fun when they’re talking about you when you can understand them now, and I got to speak a lot of Arabic while I was over there.

Finals have officially begun. So I’m going to listen to some Christmas music and study (which has been my only way to prepare for Christmas so far). I’m sure I’ll have a few more posts for you before the week brings the end of my stay in Jordan.

Last thing: Our dabkeh dance is up on youtube, and everyone should watch it. It’s hilarious. Unfortunately the person filming didn’t get me much because I was on the end that gets cut out, but I’m there. It will be like an I spy game. Have fun.

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