I usually go running in Weibdeh. Weibdeh is the oldest cute little town in Amman. It is called the mountain of sleep because it is so tranquil. We don't have traffic lights, just small windy roads that are sprinkled with run down homes that are inhabited by a majority christian community. While the rest of Amman experienced growth and expansion, this little nook of the city remains somewhat untouched. You still have the old antique stores and fruit markets, hole in the wall liquor stores, old fashioned dry cleaners (who still use steam irons - if you have never seen one, its a bulky iron that has a coil that is connected to the ceiling!). No new comers to this corner...so for the most part, my neighbors are older. If you are wondering why I moved here, well, its because I love quiet little neighborhoods where people still greet each other in the streets.
To the dismay of many in my family, I go running in my neighborhood which is considered a 'faux pas' because it is conservative. (My apartment lies in between 2 churches and a mosque - all in 1km!). But I love to run here. I run past the church and the guards who know me by now; past young boys who play football in the middle of the street (who I know run after me - and I let them); by an old furniture store - were they spray paint the furniture on the side walk and I often have to stop breathing the toxins!! I run and I run and finally reach a charming tiny town within the town. I like that part because it has an old stair case - some 100 steps or more that connects the lower poorer part of town to the upper more affluent streets. I hold my breath and mentally psyche myself up to run up and down those steps and the challenge is to do so without pausing.
For the longest time whenever I get to those steps, i would see this little 6 year old girl with a braided pony tail sitting on the steps. I say "salamu aliakum' to her and she twists and twirls in shyness. How cute!
After a few days of silently gazing, I decided to meet her mother - because after all - I am running in their backyard and out of courtesy I must introduce myself. Two worlds collide. The mother is wearing the Muslim headscarf, and I, my Niki stretch pants and ipod. So I introduced myself and explained to them why I run up and down like a maniac, and told Amani to put on her running shoes and join me. Funny, the mother did not object at all! This conservative woman would allow her daughter to run wild with this clearly liberated woman - me!
You should have seen the elation on Amani's face. Big wide smile from ear to ear at the prospect of running with me! with me?!! It is I who should be happy....so Amani and I started our little ritual. I meet her around 6.30 on the steps and we run up and down (6-7 times now to allow enough time for our little chats). The lovliest part is that i find her standing outside her home, ready with her shoes on. When she sees me she runs to tell her mom "she came!!"...no introductions needed...I am "she", and the whole household knows about me!
Yesterday I ran in a different part of town with my sister Dina, and I missed Amani, and I feel guilty...she probably stood there waiting...
Why did I write this blog? I guess to remind everyone out there to make room for chance encounters with random people. Amani is a treat. One of those thousands of passing encounters in life. Those are the moments that add color to an otherwise event less day.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Welcome to me!
I'm welcoming myself to the world! I have no idea if I'm writing into the abyss, or if anyone out there would ever see this :) but I have to say, I feel liberated already! I can run wild and free with my thoughts. How lovely it is to express oneself freely. This will be an exploration of so much, most obvious to me is my online identity (will I be the same online, or will I find myself exaggerating loves and interests... I wonder and feel excited to explore this notion). Funny thing, we go online to the public space to explore our private space!
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