identities and gum

One of the neat things about living in a foreign country is that no one knows you, and you can adopt several different identities. Though it's hard to remain anonymous in the Middle East with blond hair and blue eyes (I roll my eyes every time I hear Syrians say "foreigner" in Arabic with their friends... I relate it to living in Coronado and us locals talking about the Zonies.), I have been given several new names. As it has been my entire educational career, the attendance sheet lists my name as Jane. I tried correcting my teacher in level 3, but Haley didn't stick, and for a month I was Jane to my classmates and teacher (thankfully I was Haley in level 4). The guy at the internet cafe I frequent says "marhaba" to Janey every day. My host sister calls me Halhoola (her nickname for me). And for about the first month, my host dad called me Helen (for some reason, Syrians have a hard time saying Haley, even though they have all of those sounds in Arabic, maybe just not in that combination). So I have learned to answer to Jane, Janey, Halhoola, Helen, and Haley (though I will forget this once I return to the states, so don't even try). As per identities, while I'm walking through the souq I try to put on Melanie's Parisian, don't mess with me, face. It actually does reduce comments and blown kisses. To wandering salesmen trying to sell me tissues or other trinkets, I use the Syrian "no" - an upward tilt of the head with a click of the tongue. Meeting for drinks in Bab Touma, I greet friends with kisses on each side of the face (a custom I've noticed everywhere except the states - why is that?). I really enjoy the diverse community at university.

Speaking of university, I took my final exam for level 4 today. Yesterday I had my interview portion, and today was the written exam. The written exam was actually fairly difficult. I wrote my essay about water pollution, the reasons why some people care about the environment while others don't, and countries exporting their productions and pollutions to third world nations (mushkila kabira). In shah Allah, I'll be in level 5 next week.

Yesterday as I was walking up the hill home, the man at the corner store waved at me and gestured me over. I bought colored pencils from him a couple of weeks ago and since then have always waved and exchanged "salaam"s (peace) whenever I pass his store. Yesterday he asked me how I was (Kefik? - How are you, Sloonik? - literally, what's your color?... my favorite Arabic phrase, Sho akbar? - what's the news? ... all of these are asked during a greeting, and then you are asked about your family, friends, relatives, etc etc. Greetings are very long in the Middle East). After replying with "I'm good!", the shopkeeper told me my Arabic has improved a lot since the last time we talked (I don't know how he could get that with just one word from me) and handed me a free pack of gum before I left his store. People are really friendly and generous here. I'm loving it.

And now, in just a couple of hours, I'll meet my mom in Istanbul for our little rahla. !! I'm really excited to see her and go exploring with her. Ela ekqa, ya Syria (until we meet again).