Last Thursday we left for Aqaba around 10 AM. We arrived sometime in the late afternoon after a long bus ride of really amusing conversation and a short Arabic lesson. The rest-stops along the way were sort of what I expected to find in a weird way - places where you could buy quirky little souvenirs and food and drinks that cost entirely too much money.
Aqaba is so beautiful. We played for the grand opening of a new hotel, and were given three really amazing buffet-style meals that included fresh sushi and all kinds of delicious Arabic food. Our concert went reasonably well, and Joe is on his way to becoming a famous crooner of old Frank Sinatra tunes in the Middle East. After the concert we drove back to our hotel where we stayed awake until nearly 4 AM just drinking and smoking arghelia and enjoying each other's company. Sometime around 2 AM, we decided to walk down to the beach where I put my feet in the Red Sea for the first time. It was incredible. After Maryellen and I returned to our room (with the most amazing shower I think I've ever experienced), I started to realize that I was able to have so much fun because I'm actually feeling like myself. This and the company of good people made for an enjoyable trip.
The next day we woke up later than anticipated (but not before breakfast was finished), ate an amazing meal, and spent the next several hours swimming in the Red Sea and lounging the beach. The water was surprisingly warm and very salty. Coral lines the shoreline, so in order to get into the sea you have to walk out on a long floating dock. It was entertaining to watch colleagues swimming and goofing around. As I'm sure it was for them, too.
We arrived back in Amman around 9:00 that evening after another surprisingly enjoyable bus ride. Andrew and I talked about Arabic for a while and then had some practical-application time.
Our symphony concert this Wednesday went fairly well. The second movement of the Beethoven Triple Concerto is the best I think I've heard this group sound yet. It's really encouraging to know that we're definitely improving. I was pleased with my own personal performance, too, which is something that doesn't happen with much frequency. I'm working on it.
Yesterday was an overall bizarre experience. After teaching my morning lessons, Haifa took me to her hair dresser who wanted to take pictures of a blonde girl for brochures for her salon. She had to leave after a half an hour and left me in the company of several women, none of whom speak English. I realized yesterday just how limited my Arabic skills are by how little I spoke the entire day. One of the women painted my nails and washed my hair, and the other dried it, put it in curlers, and then proceeded to paint my face with the most makeup I've ever worn - including during plays in high school. In fact, when Haifa and I arrived back at my apartment, we stopped in to see Tim and Christina, neither of whom recognized me until I spoke. After the salon experience, we took a taxi to a photo studio where I had another equally bizarre experience with the photographer. The whole while everyone kept asking me if I am married - and I kept saying no - and they continually responded by saying, "today you are!" I don't think the vale pinned in my hair allowed me any room to argue. The pictures are beautiful, and I'll definitely post them if I happen to get a copy.
All of that said, it was suggested that I leave the makeup on for the rest of the evening, which included attending a beautiful Arabic music concert. Several of my students performed a little more than an hour of music with their group "Sharq". It's been a long time since I've attended a concert with the liberty of just sitting back and enjoying the music. After the concert we had a going-away party for Lisa, who is returning to America on Saturday. I would like to believe everyone had a nice time. I know that I really enjoyed myself.
Today is Friday and I'm choosing to spend it doing absolutely nothing. It's a really nice feeling. I've never been much for being unproductive on days off, but this has been a totally exhausting week.
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