Pride and Patience

*** There are three new posts below this one, check it out. : )

Ever since getting home from Paris last December, I found myself suffering from a lack of adventure and excitement. Northeastern was nothing academically or socially compared to my time in France, and life seemed a monotonous routine. This trip was exactly what I needed to reboot my system. The constant hammering and processing of information and consistent adjustment to our schedule and maneuverings was a fantastic experience.

People have already asked me how this trip has changed me and indeed, there is no way this 5 week adventure in the Middle East could not be life changing. Besides gaining more patience and perspective, there are a couple specific ways that I feel I have changed. I have decided to stop eating cow or pig, or any meat other than seafood and chicken. This decision has been in the making for years, but was confirmed by the witness of some butchering around the region. In Cairo, animals were butchered right in store fronts and carcasses were hung prominently in many windows. In Syria, I saw a sheep butchered in the street, bloody skins stacked on trucks, and many dead animals in windows. Of course, one can find similar practices in France where dead animals are proudly displayed in any market. In any place, I would rather not partake in eating something that I cannot even witness dead without feeling nauseous.

Another serious change concerns alcohol. In an attempt to be considerate/adapt to the traditional Muslim culture which is prevalent in these countries I decided before I came here not to drink on the trip. I am not a serious drinker at home, but I enjoy champagne and wine since France especially. I broke my own rule twice- both because of types of ‘social pressure’. At my roommate’s birthday party at the King Tut Discotheque in Luxor where the owner made her two cakes and basically provided free drinks, I had a Heineken. The second time was a result of intense social pressure by of all things, our Syrian hostess at Chillo’s Club in Damascus. “Why aren’t you drinking?” She demanded. “Oh, well, I guess I was trying to be considerate of the culture?” I said. “But it is an open bar! You like wine? I get you wine.” And that was the end of it, I had a glass of wine.

What I did not expect is that I would feel prouder than ever to be American. Oh man does that sound cliché. It is almost hard to write. But I think it is unfair for radically conservative republicans to monopolize the phrase (they can have the song). I am proud for lots of reasons. Obama, of course, is one. But being a part of change is greater than Obama. Living in a society where not only can I say what I want, but if I feel passionately enough I can enact real change. My brother and others will call me an idealist. Fine, I know I am, always have been. But I don’t think anything great was ever accomplished by a pessimistic attitude.

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