Wednesday, September 17, 2008
blogging
It's not as easy as it looks to come up with all of this wisdom! Actually, I am surprised myself at how hard it is to remember to do it while I'm sitting at my computer. I think of it often when I am driving, or walking, or shopping, or sitting with a client...... all times when actually writing these brilliant ideas is not possible.
I am off to the Middle East- Syria and Jordan- in less than a month. I have not been this excited about a trip in a long time! I look forward to the radically different culture, wonderful food, shopping in the souks- not your average Wal-Mart kind of made in China merchandise there! And a language that won't be easy to pick up or read- why bother even trying to read it, I say. I can now say, "I'm happy because I'm going to Syria in October". In Arabic. Probably not the most useful thing to say once I'm there...but you have to start somewhere.
I have found in my travels that the words needed to be able to say are adjectives (good, nice, beautiful, delicious, big, small), adverbs (fast, quickly), basic greetings like 'good morning', how are you? and to be able to understand then asked "Where are you from?" And to be able to say "I don't speak..." of course, you are saying that in the target language, which makes you a liar !
My expectations of this trip are to be in a state of wonder, to be appreciative of the warm hospitality as well as the opportunity to have this experience, and to take every opportunity to learn. Recipes, ingredients, way of life, hospitality, graciousness, etc.
Labels: travel
