Language and Culture

"Arabs that don't know Arabic are honestly a disgrace..", my dear friend, who currently studies in Canada, went on to say as we were chatting a couple of days ago. His point of view may have seemed extreme for a second or two at that time, but the more I thought about it, the more it seemed to make sense. How can somebody claim to be part of a culture he hardly knows anything about?

Can anyone imagine a French man who can't speak French, or doesn't know what baguette or crepe is? I find that hardly plausible. Or a Spaniard who hasn't heard about bullfighting, a corrida de toros?  How sarcastic would it be if you met a Russian who knows nothing about Vodka, or a Mexican who hasn't ever tasted tortillas?

Culture is what identifies us in today's community, it is what makes us who we are and gives us that uniqueness when we meet a person from a totally different background.

 So what exactly makes a person forget his culture, his blood, one might ask? Well it seems the answer is quite clear; Immigration, Emigration, and the influence of other cultures play a decisive role in a person's life.  To add to that, parents who forget the principles of teaching their children where they originate from are also a significant factor. We also can't deny what influence international media has on us. With the United States dominating media all over the globe, it isn't a surprise that the world is getting more and more Westernized with time.

So let's get back to the Arab perspective. "An Arab who doesn't know Arabic is a disgrace..", what do you think? My friend went on to say how he had once considered the Arabic language as a difficult one in school, where he could hardly keep up with the grammar that was taught in class, how he felt that it was a waste of time, a useless subject for those who were going on into a scientific field in college.

He continued to say that as time progressed and he became a foreigner in Canada, his identity became increasingly important to him, and he found that the Arabic language was an essential part of his Arab culture.

Personally, being an Arab, a Jordanian to be specific, I totally believe in culture and the moral values that have made me who I am today, and I honestly think that an individual must proudly hold his culture high, and ensure that it is not lost with the generations to come.

Men-Sushi

"Men-Sushi, what's that?" At first thoughts, you'll probably be saying its just an extra large sushi plate specifically made for men with their "special hunger needs", but NO, on the contrary it has NOTHING to do with sizes whatsoever!

Well it seems you've been missing out on the latest food trends in town! Surprisingly, this new "professionally designed" meal hasn't the slightest taste of Sushi, but resembles it in many ways. In fact, it may come as great news for those Mensaf-loving locals that a 3rd eating method for Mensaf has now been introduced.

We all know the traditional method, that involves the strategic 45 degree hand-angle dipping, squishing and artistically forming that juicy Mensaf-ball, and the neat spoon method for those who prefer a little less messiness. I am glad to present to you the new method that ingeniously combines the two stated above to give you "Men-Sushi", the Mensaf-lovers' ideal way for "Mensaf-on-the-run".

Imagine Mensaf-balls readily shaped to perfection in a Sushi-like structure, with a luscious, tender piece of meat on top, wrapped with a meek layer of bread, and a dip specially ordered from Karak, for those who crave an excess of Jameed on their Mensaf ball, to give that final, mouth-watering magical touch! Aren't we in heaven?

Water Scarcity in Jordan

Warmly seated at home, here I am, enjoying the splitter and splatter of raindrops at my window, thankful for the generous quantities of rainwater Jordan has received this season, and hoping for a green spring and summer to come.

Today, Jordan ranks as one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, facing the major issue of being able to supply it's rising population with it's water needs.
Driving around in Amman on a rainy day, it comes as quite a surprise to me that a large number of streets are completely submerged in water, that drainage and sewage systems always seem to be blocked up on a rainy day, and that all that flood water is not benefited of. To add to the sarcasm, a significant amount of the kingdom's water is imported from neighboring countries!

Ever since I moved to Amman, a noticeable feature in our residence has been the integrated rainwater well we have underground. This 3m3 (three meters cubed) well plays a vital role in our summer lives. The amount of water it is able to hold is something I honestly find fascinating, such that is provides an immediate alternate to government water and can be used for various purposes including gardening and everything but potable water; that is unless an adequate filter is implemented.

Now hypothetically, what if, to some extent, the government would put into action a program that would make it compulsory for each new building to have a built-in rainwater well underground? Just imagine the tremendous amounts of water that could be stored from this straightforward plan, not to mention the ridiculously large sums of government money that could be saved and made use of elsewhere.

Well I hope water plans for the Kingdom work out well, and wish you all a happy rainy day.