Just a quickie to let you know I'm back and fine. I learned a lot about what I will need for next time, even tho
it won't be for a week or so. I'll email again, but in a nut shell--IT WAS GREAT ! I have some great dance
footage and cultural background info.
Apparently my research assistant, Mohammad, set this first trip up as a 'test', not just for the equipment, which
is what he told me, but he was concerned that I might be a wimp in the field, or difficult, or may cause a
disturbance, etc., but I deal very well with the local people (all my experiences in the desert and camping with
the Bedouin served me well). Although I stood out like a sore thumb at first, I know how to behave in a way that
makes the villagers feel relaxed with my presence. After they got used to the actual sight of me, they became
quite comfortable because I know the politeness rules here and I quietly blended into the background as much
as I could.
At the end of the trip Mohammad told me he was testing 'me' and that I passed with flying colors. He was very
excited about my calmness, patience, politeness, etc. He was especially surprised at how I handled the
children. Children can be little pests here (as they were at this wedding). They try to get my attention in the
weirdest ways (hit me with sticks, pull my hair, throw rocks at me), it's not out of maliciousness, but just to get
my attention. I am so used to this over the years that it did not faze me at all and I reacted beautifully. I would
say 'hello', 'what's your name' (in Arabic) and then tell them my name. With some of the major agitators, I
would stand up and greet them, introduce myself and shake their little hands. This quieted them down
immediately and they left me alone. Mohammad was very pleased. The village elder noticed this, too, and was
also impressed that I didn't respond in anger or get upset in any way when I was hit, etc.
Luckily I was dehydrated and only had to pee once during the festivities, but when I did, Mohammad escorted
me to a village house and the bathroom was a hole in the ground with shit and bugs every where--he waited
outside and I know he was expecting a reaction, I gave none--he was happy and relieved. Also, when I ate, they
had wanted to set up a chair and table for me and I absolutely refused, I sat on the ground like everyone else--
another kudo for me.—no special treatment.
I also ate everything they offered me with great appetite and enthusiasm (another big thing here). I'm pretty
acclimated to the food now, so I wasn't worried (besides, I'm loaded with meds in case of an emergency).
Lastly, the bugs. Carol, I've been living here a long time now, but never have I seen bugs like they had in this
village. The wedding took place in the middle of a corn field, so I think most of the bugs were vegetation type
of bugs, so I wasn't worried about anything being poisonous. I mostly sat on the ground throughout the
festivities and bugs of all types and sizes (flying and crawling) were all over me and flying into me at all times. I
blew one filming shot because a big flying thing hit me in the forehead and I flinched when it dropped down
onto my neck and into my collar (had to get the thing off me). But, throughout, I acted like I was totally used to
all these bugs and never flinched or acted weird in anyway. I would very calmly and casually brush them off as
if it happened to me all the time. Mohammad was especially shocked at my response to the bugs and
commented on all these things after we were all done.
In the back of my head I knew this would be a test of 'me', too, so I'm glad I was psychologically prepared.
It was 104 degrees at midnight, so I was uncomfortable at times, but dealt with it. The ride in to the village was
hot and dusty and I was immediately dirty and grimy because the dust stuck to my sweat, but I didn't let it
bother me. We made a stop on the way in and picked up a duck. I sat next to the duck on the way in to the
festivities. It cracked me up to be sitting next to a duck, but I acted like I sit next to ducks all the time (the duck
was a gift for the bride).
I did end up with 2 giant mosquito bites on my eyelid (what a horrible place to be bit). My eye was swollen shut
for a day, but I wasn't concerned. I put a little benedryl cream on it to keep me from touching it and making it
worse. I'm fine now.
More later, I LOVE YOU, mom
Subject: Bugs--Not the Watergate Kind