September 21 2004

Good Morning Tunisia

So we’re back in Tunis now. Vacation flew by so fast that I really don’t feel I had enough of my days off.
It was great being back in the beautiful country Jordan, watching all the new places that existed after I left to Tunisia, and re-living all the great memories of places I used to go to when I was still living in Jordan.
Jordan has changed a lot, many people might not notice that, but I personally believe a big change is so obvious. Part of the change was really impressive, the other part, well, let me just say, it was negative.
I loved seeing the signs of civilization and progress almost everywhere. I adored the vitality of streets, the bright lights in the dark skies at midnight, the noise of pickups, the smell of fresh baked “manaqeesh”, the sight of the rich and poor people waiting side by side for a hot plate of falafel in a little store. I loved the fresh cool breeze in a hot summer day, and the extremely cold air at night. And the architecture of houses and buildings in Amman, what a pleasant sight! It’s true Amman isn’t considered one of the most organized capitals when it comes to building, but still one can see beauty in the architecture of Amman.
Jordan has become really open to other cultures, investments and international projects. And for those who love shopping, be sure that Amman has become one of the most interesting capitals that will guarantee you satisfaction for sure. Regardless of your budget, and no matter what you’re most interested in, you’ll enjoy shopping either in Amman’s great malls, shopping centers or even in those normal little stores spread all over the capital. And in case you’re just like me: a food lover 😛 then Amman will offer you a very wide range of all kinds of food from international and local kitchens 🙂 hmmm, let me not list the places I loved or I’ll get you all bored reading and reading and reading 😛
What I really love about Amman is that you don’t have to go through a lot of complications to get something you like. In fact the system encourages you to use technology, invest, and many other useful things.
Yet the change that I personally considered really negative was watching young people getting confused about modernization. Reading the newspaper articles, taking a look at the local magazines and watching people in the streets, malls, restaurants and all, one can easily notice the huge group of young people who think that becoming modern is by imitating other cultures in looks and life style and abandoning everything that has to do with their own culture. But then again, this negative change isn’t only in Jordan, but in most of the Arab countries, unfortunately. It’s even worse here in Tunisia. But we can’t blame parents alone, neither the country’s policy alone, neither schools or universities alone, they’re all to be blamed together. How great it was to see some families sticking to their beautiful tradition, religion and old virtues, while benefiting from modernization in all possible ways. Young people should be guided and shown that modernization and tradition do not contradict. And with tradition I mean the old peaceful respectful way of life, and not the destructive backward ideas that relate to evil or shallow thinking.
I hope Arab countries will try to save what’s left to save from their beautiful traditions while fitting in the modern world. It’s not that hard actually.

Anyway, all I can say about Jordan is that despite its small geographical size, and despite its economical circumstances, and despite its lack of green color –relatively speaking that is- despite all this, Jordan is a country full of life, always blooming in all fields, and always offering new places, new attractions and new services for civilians as well as visitors. Jordan is so so alive, and this is the thing I love most about it.

Now we’re back in the beautiful Tunisia, and I miss Jordan and my family since I said goodbye in the airport. I really don’t feel I saw them enough or spent enough time with them. But this is life I guess, you can’t have everything you wish for, right! I never stop trying though 😛
I didn’t see all the people I wished I’d see, but I hope I’ll make it up next time. Most of all, I really wished my older brother and sister were there. Not seeing them made me feel something was really missing…
If I let my feelings take control, then I’ll surely fail to enjoy any second away from my family. But this is neither what I want, nor what the ones I love would wish for me, therefore I always try to fit in my second country Tunisia, try to enjoy its beauty and good people. I hate to fail in having a happy life, so I focus on what I’m good at, and what I’m good at is never surrendering to sadness and depression 🙂 The piles of papers and loads of work I have to do aren’t helping that much, but will do my best not to let anything change my happy mood.

As you can see, this post shows how much I miss blogging, so be prepared for a lot of writing to come your way. I’ll write about my adventurous vacation for you to share my lovely experience 🙂



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Posted September 21, 2004 by Eman Abukhadra in category "Just Personal", "Tunisia