Repairs

Here I am waiting for Ahmed, the building handyman, to come up with some lightbulbs. Both of the bulbs in the main area have burned out, one yesterday and one today. I called down to tell him what the problem was, but I think I had the wrong word for lightbulb or something, maybe the Syrian word is not understood here. Anyway, I finally said "khallas" and hung up. The landlord's wife was much more helpful, and said she would send Ahmed up with the lightbulbs. I didn't feel like putting on a hijab and long-sleeved shirt, especially because I have tons of homework, but so it goes.

A couple of days ago a repairman came at the odd hour of 9:30 p.m. to fix a few things. We were grateful, but I happened to be frying some beans on the stove, and was really hungry. He took everything off the kitchen counter and climbed up on it to fix the outer window shade, a metal thing that goes up and down. One of my roommates was there and discreetly told me that I had to leave the kitchen since I couldn't be alone in a room with a man. The first time I needed to stir the beans I asked her to come with me, but after that I gave up and just went back in as needed. About half an hour later he went to work on something else and I finally ate. I'm sure it's terribly improper for Ahmed to come with lightbulbs now, since I am the only one home, but darn it, it's dark in here! Ok that makes it sound even worse, let's just say I need some light!

On another note, we took a trip yesterday to visit al-Balqa' University in Salt, the ancient capital of Jordan. The reason- a rebuilt minbar (pulpit), a replica of the one built by Saladin to commemorate the recapture of Jerusalem from the Crusaders, in about 1160, I think. The original in al-Aqsa mosque was burned down by a Zionist in 1969. It's finally been replicated at this school of traditional crafts. The original was cedar, and was gilded centuries after the installation; the new one is walnut, and has other minor changes. It's made with traditional joinery, and is carved and inlaid to the hilt. We were lucky to get a chance to see it, since it's just been finished after 5 years, and will be shipped off to Jerusalem soon. However they may want to postpone the transfer because of the current violence. I have some really cool pictures, but they're not in good focus, and iPhoto won't save my changes... so you'll have to wait to see them.

I had my first tiff with a taxi driver today. The drivers here are much more ornery than the ones in Lebanon. The most grouchy one I had there was really a softy; here they can be more manipulative and critical. I climbed into the taxi and shut the door; he started complaining that I'd slammed the door, and wanted to know why. Wasn't sure how to say I hadn't slammed it, I'd just closed it, so I just sat there and steamed. When I got out he said with a smile, "Be careful with the door!" I was still annoyed from before, so I really slammed it... He yelled, "What's your problem?" I wanted to ask him what his problem was, but decided to just walk away... Grrr... How stupid- both me and him!

Ok, Ahmed finally arrived with the lightbulbs. Turns out he's Egyptian, which explains why we can't understand each other very well. I said, maybe you can't understand me because my dialect is Lebanese. He said, are you Lebanese? I said no. He said he was Egyptian. I said, oh, that's a problem. He laughed and said no, it's not a problem! I said, just in terms of understanding... And he had a very different word for lightbulb. However, it all went smoothly with no awkwardness whatsoever. Yay!