Wednesday, March 12, 2008

from Lebanon...to Jordan.. with Love...

In the past, the word Jordanian meant nothing to me.. it wasn’t more than a word written in my passport and a direct answer to the question: what is your nationality?
All what I can recollect from my childhood about the "Jordanian spirit" in our house is that my late father, God bless his soul, used to watch the Jordanian TV a lot, and a weird accent he and some men used to speak when they meet or speak over the phone.

With the passage of time, I started to become curious to know more about Jordan, excited to learn more about our family there. And the only way to satisfy this curiosity was to go there and find out myself.

We used to hear remarks about the Jordanians being closed-minded, old school, very conservative people. Some people even warned me from going there expecting that my family there wouldn't like the way I dress and force me to wear hijab, or may oblige me to marry one my cousins and stuff like that... I admit that this kinda freaked me out, yet didn't change my mind about visiting Jordan as soon as I had the chance to. It wasn't before the year 2001 that I finally made up my mind to go.

I set off on a chilly day in December 2001.. a day that I vividly remember. It was the first time I leave Lebanon; the first time I travel a long distance all alone. It's not a long distance travel between Lebanon and Jordan you know but back then, to me, it was. I felt a bit uneasy, but the excitement feeling was more overwhelming. When I arrived, I was showered with love... I can't tell you how sweet and caring my family in Jordan turned out to be. They are anything but closed minded and old school! It was Ramadan, and despite being very exhausted and sleepy, I stayed awake until after suhur. We had a big family gathering at suhur, and it was one of the most exciting and the most unforgettable nights I've ever had.
I spent the Eid there too. And what can I tell you, Eids in Jordan have a different taste. All the family gatherings, rejoicing, laughing, joyful conversations and great times... all were new to me. I've never thought that I had such a big happy family, and I felt very sorry that I missed all that fun in the previous years of my life.

Now, see, things became totally different. Jordan now holds a special place in my heart, Jordanian is not just a word written in my identity card, not anymore... it's now something deeper and more meaningful. Jordan is the beautiful country, the good people, the big family, the feeling of being protected and surrounded by loving, caring people. It's the place where I met my husband, where I had both my engagement and my wedding parties. The place of the most beautiful memories. The place where I had the chance to meet great people and great friends like: Rana, Ola, Areej, Weddo, Amjad, Qais, Raeef, Dina, Maher, and my best online friend Simsim, and a few more...

I'm glad that I had the chance to blog about Jordan, I thought at first that I won't find anything to write about since I don't live in Jordan. The post is personal more than anything else, but hey, at least I tried. Of course I have to thank Qwaider for coming up with this great idea :)

17 comments:

Maher said...

there is nothing more enjoyable than having suhor with your family..they are all sleepy,and you can eat whatever you want..no one will race you to the food lool!

you've got to visit Jordan again..many changes have occured!

:->

Maioush said...

WOW Diana, what can say, the way you described how Jordan holds a special place in your heart gave me goosebumps :)

Adoosh said...

This is the spirit :) :)

Diana said...

Qabbani: :)

Maher: LOOOL, ma3ak 7a2 :D
Since 2001 I've been visiting Jordan every year, once or twice a year, so I've been witnessing all those changes :D

Maioush: I just can't find enough words to say how much I love Jordan and how much it means to me :)

Adoosh: Thanks! :)

Anonymous said...

Ahhhh, you bring warm mushy feelings to my heart with your words. They're so amazing
I guess many people are like you ... detached until they know how it feels and then we become Jordan junkies and can't get enough of it

Anonymous said...

omg, s7oor is the best there! staying up all night and enjoying el jam3a!

Unknown said...

s7our and 3eed!! The most beautiful days back in Jordan!!
Very Nice Diana:D

SimSim said...

Defiantly wonderful moments ... that was sooooo sweeeeeet I loved ur post !!! and u know how much I love u 2 :hug:

Amjad Wadi said...

Diana
Was it Thursday the 6th of December, 2001 :-) that was the day I made my first visit back to Jordan!! could be another nice coincidence

Me said...

Diana, you have a lot to say about Jordan! this is a very nice post. have a wonderful night.

Anonymous said...

Beautifully put :)

A cheerful post that made me feel as if I were in the middle of a family gathering in Jordan, such memories stay in the heart and mind forever.

Mala2e6 said...

shayfeh..ni7na menjanin..kolha
isha3at..2al sha3b kesher w neked !! balla shofti azka minna ??

:D

diana this was so sweet and heartwarming.i love to see jordan in the eyes of non jordanians..it gives it depth and a new perspective and we need that,we need to see jordan without all the negative things that have been hovering around.

and you too like noura i declare you a jordanian citezen..now you too start your mansaf..:D

Anonymous said...

This is so touchy and sweet :) i am happy that you had the opportunity to change your mind and have the memories that will be able to change other people's minds about Jordan too

Sam said...

that was very sweet...i was also told by my family in lebanon the same about jordanians..my parents still think the same..but boy are they ever wrong...

Diana said...

Thank you all for the nice words, I'm glad that you liked the post :)

Amjad: actually it was on December 13, bas ma far2at kteer, another nice coincidence, indeed :)

Hareega said...

thank you for this post

Diana said...

ahlan Hareega :)