When the word Middle East (Syria) is mention, the American psyche (and more than likely most of Europe) thinks of suicide bombers, 'Jihadists', Islamic extremists, oppressive regime, hijab, etc. Certainly this is not a good view of the Middle East in general, but I went to the Middle East and I survived, and came back alive with a purpose.
In fact, I went to Syria, one of countries that my country, the US, has sanctioned and put on a list labeled "rogue countries". It is illegal to fly directly to Damascus, Syria, so we had to take a connecting flight in London. A sanction on a country from the US is meant to punish it. A sanction is a restriction on international trade and finance that one country imposes on another for political reasons. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about going to Syria for this fact that my country has imposed such a sanction on them. I was also bothered that the US has allied itsef with countries with less gender equality (Saudi Arabia for one example) while being adversarial with coutnries in the Middle East with the most gender equality.
The government is not the people. People are fluid; they are able to admit say and do things governments aren't, so people, though symbols of their country, are not politicians who represent the interest of the government. We constantly meet and hear about the actions of governments, but we never hear and meet the people of that government, so it has been hard to seperate the human from the machine.
Through my personal experience in Syria, I have to say that Syrians are some of the nicest and hospitable people I have ever met. It is not fake or superficial, but that this idea of hospitality and kindness is built into their national identity as Syrians. It is these personal accounts that lay the foundation of relationships and bring among the change of ignorant mindsets. Individual accounts like this which countinue to be told and listened by others will start a positive "stereotype" that challenges the ingrained and negative stereotypes.
Here are some things that I found to be thoughtful, amusing, interesting, funny, and amazing about the people I met in Syria:
1. Everywhere you go, whether it is to a historical site or to a shop or wherever, be expected to drink tons of tea or coffee. People are very nice and hospitable, so they will always ask you to sit with them, have a conversation, and a cup of tea. So far, my favorite is flower tea. ;)
2. Just like Mexican time, Hmong time, etc, they have Arab time as well. LOL
3. There is a strong national identity in Syria. No matter who you ask, when you ask what their religion or ethnicity is, they will always follow up with: "But we are all Syrian!" I am envious of such a strong collective identity.
4. When I met people, even for just one minute, they instantly remembered my name and remembered me. The next day I'd walk out into the streets, and the shop owners I saw yesterday, would say "Tiffany! How are you doing? Come in for tea."
5. Gifts are very important. It is a sign of gratitude and just hospitality. No matter what kind of gift it is or if it has no use at all, it is a sign of gratitude. We always think of gifts as what they person wants, but they give gifts in order to be giving and to show generosity. I got many things from necklaces to magazines to snacks to even post cards and stickers.
6. Chicken is a special item when looking at the menu. They don't really eat chicken, they prefer lamb which is really good!
7. When I saw little children selling post cards and stickers, I felt very sad for them, but you also have to realize that they are not "children." They are salesmen who are trying to make a living, and don't live like children in the US.
8. I can see it in the personalities that I met in Syria, that many of them have a strong sense of social justice in their commnity and counry. Religion plays a large role in infuencing life in Syria and social programs are very important.
9. I realise how much I love the "call to prayer" in Syria. At certain times during the day, the call to prayer would come on, and I think it just sounds amazing to see a whole city embracing their very own beliefs openly.
10. The one thing that inspired me the most was seeing the diversity in Syria. Diversity is not an achievemet, although it is heralded as an accomplisment even at my college. Pluralism is the accomplishment that every society should strive for. Syria is, within itself, a pluralistic community.
If you ever get the chance, you all should go visit Syria. It is a beautiful country with interesting people. I went to Syria, and YES, I came back ALIVE. I came back more awakened in truth and the real. This was a trip of self realization and discovery, like a wake up call. A call to tell everyone that the Middle East is not all what we label it to be.
In fact, I went to Syria, one of countries that my country, the US, has sanctioned and put on a list labeled "rogue countries". It is illegal to fly directly to Damascus, Syria, so we had to take a connecting flight in London. A sanction on a country from the US is meant to punish it. A sanction is a restriction on international trade and finance that one country imposes on another for political reasons. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about going to Syria for this fact that my country has imposed such a sanction on them. I was also bothered that the US has allied itsef with countries with less gender equality (Saudi Arabia for one example) while being adversarial with coutnries in the Middle East with the most gender equality.
The government is not the people. People are fluid; they are able to admit say and do things governments aren't, so people, though symbols of their country, are not politicians who represent the interest of the government. We constantly meet and hear about the actions of governments, but we never hear and meet the people of that government, so it has been hard to seperate the human from the machine.
Through my personal experience in Syria, I have to say that Syrians are some of the nicest and hospitable people I have ever met. It is not fake or superficial, but that this idea of hospitality and kindness is built into their national identity as Syrians. It is these personal accounts that lay the foundation of relationships and bring among the change of ignorant mindsets. Individual accounts like this which countinue to be told and listened by others will start a positive "stereotype" that challenges the ingrained and negative stereotypes.
Here are some things that I found to be thoughtful, amusing, interesting, funny, and amazing about the people I met in Syria:
1. Everywhere you go, whether it is to a historical site or to a shop or wherever, be expected to drink tons of tea or coffee. People are very nice and hospitable, so they will always ask you to sit with them, have a conversation, and a cup of tea. So far, my favorite is flower tea. ;)
2. Just like Mexican time, Hmong time, etc, they have Arab time as well. LOL
3. There is a strong national identity in Syria. No matter who you ask, when you ask what their religion or ethnicity is, they will always follow up with: "But we are all Syrian!" I am envious of such a strong collective identity.
4. When I met people, even for just one minute, they instantly remembered my name and remembered me. The next day I'd walk out into the streets, and the shop owners I saw yesterday, would say "Tiffany! How are you doing? Come in for tea."
5. Gifts are very important. It is a sign of gratitude and just hospitality. No matter what kind of gift it is or if it has no use at all, it is a sign of gratitude. We always think of gifts as what they person wants, but they give gifts in order to be giving and to show generosity. I got many things from necklaces to magazines to snacks to even post cards and stickers.
6. Chicken is a special item when looking at the menu. They don't really eat chicken, they prefer lamb which is really good!
7. When I saw little children selling post cards and stickers, I felt very sad for them, but you also have to realize that they are not "children." They are salesmen who are trying to make a living, and don't live like children in the US.
8. I can see it in the personalities that I met in Syria, that many of them have a strong sense of social justice in their commnity and counry. Religion plays a large role in infuencing life in Syria and social programs are very important.
9. I realise how much I love the "call to prayer" in Syria. At certain times during the day, the call to prayer would come on, and I think it just sounds amazing to see a whole city embracing their very own beliefs openly.
10. The one thing that inspired me the most was seeing the diversity in Syria. Diversity is not an achievemet, although it is heralded as an accomplisment even at my college. Pluralism is the accomplishment that every society should strive for. Syria is, within itself, a pluralistic community.
If you ever get the chance, you all should go visit Syria. It is a beautiful country with interesting people. I went to Syria, and YES, I came back ALIVE. I came back more awakened in truth and the real. This was a trip of self realization and discovery, like a wake up call. A call to tell everyone that the Middle East is not all what we label it to be.
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