Yikes!

Well I seemed to get a lot of responses to my blog post "Bad Vibrations." I would like to respond to Kris's comment about if I get satisfaction from my work. I do get satisfaction from my work. However, sometimes it feels like a drag (like any job =]). When I look at how many mattresses I sewed, I have to find that inner appreciation. It just doesn't feel very satisfactory when I have to do a lot of things that someone in the family could be helping out with, and not just telling me to do it. I think I need to explain the situation because I get the feeling that people are reading into the post way too much, looking for some hidden meaning. I was very vague on my post because I did not want to get into the situation and just talk about how I was feeling. So here I go.

I think that anywhere you go and live with other people, problems are going to happen. Thats what living together and being a family is! I know that things cannot always be great, thats life. Wadi Rum is a very slow village. People drink tea, watch tv, and relax. That does not mean they don't work, it just means that they have lots of time to chill out. Now as helpers, we want to make this place the very best it can be, just at times I feel a little taken for granted. There is always that language barrier, but I don't take it very kindly when someone will say "You make tea now?", or "Wash this.?" I forgive them for the way they communicate because they are not used to it (but one day I will probably meet my limit). When I say I don't feel appreciated or they think we are not working, it is just the vibrations I get in the house. It is hard to describe but something just changed. Another reason why there is a little tension or they do not think we are working is perhaps the difference from Mohammed's view and the daughters and mother. They daughters and mother do no go to the camp and see us working, and talking with tourits (which is very tiring). They see us only in the house and could be a reason why they don't feel we are working, which is understandable. I think that I will just see how the situation develops and maybe be a little more firm on when I can do something and when I can't.

The trip to Aqaba was very tiring. We got our Visas extended very quickly and did not know what to do with our time. We made our way down and found some fast food chains. The burger king and McDonald's is understandable because they are rather global, but Quiznos, Popeyes, and Pizza Hut!!!!!!!!!!!! Crazy. We ended up having some delicious fries, chicken sandwich, and a coke at Burger King. (To get our fix of American food.) We then walked down into the market and bought some toys for the kids, and just some random things we needed. I had 2 very strange incidents happen. My mom and I were sitting eating some cookies when a policeman took a picture of us with his camera phone! I saw him take it out and aim it, then i would look at him and he would pretend to clean the screen. Then he finally took it! Very strange, so we left. I also bought a book to learn Arabic in a shop and got slapped by an old man! I went inside and my mom was standing with her back to me reading a book. I asked him if he sold any books to lean Arabic and he said yes. Then there was a pause. I asked, "where", then he moved. He asked me if this was my sister and I said no it was my mother and he slapped me! Pretty hard too! I didn't smile at all after that and he said something that I was always supposed to say she was my sister. In the middle east, it is okay to smack the little kids and is customary, but he was just a weird Jordanian. I have never met anyone like him and he was very unusual. He then continued to question my mom if she was married and showed her a book of a Kiwi girl that married a bedouin man and Blah blah blah.

We are staying here for 3 months to experience all aspects of the place. That means the good and the bad. I am also 15 years old. How many teenagers work all day for their food and lodging and do school. I think I have a little reason to complain. (Even just a teensy weensy bit) Last week, I was wearing rose colored glasses. This week I feel like I am focusing on the bad, when so many great things have been happening! I think it is just my tiredness kicking in that makes me a little grumpy. In addition to that, when I am tired I am a bag of giggles. I need to focus on the positives and take a walk in the fresh air. That would do me some good. Good things: Yesterday in Aqaba, we got oriental rice mix (my favorite!), and got this HUGEEEE BAR OF CHOCOLATE WITH HAZELNUTS! Yesterday, me, Sarah, and my mom joked up on a rock and watched the most amazing sunset. We did funny voices, and planned on cooking the family a meal. We were thinking about making pasta then I remembered that there is only one fork between the hostel and the house. So we imagined us all picking up spaghetti with our hands and having it hang in the air, trying to eat it! We also danced around in the tent with the family (which is always fun). The best part about it is that the Bedouins cannot keep time, at all! They just kind of kick up their feet and bop around . It is always hilarious to try to imitate them. You look like a dying fish flopping around kicking up your fins! Well I have to go do some math homework! Only 2 more questions left on my speedback! Lots of love <3

Bailey