I was very excited to hear Zaydun speak about his country and found most of what he said very fascinating. I was surprised at the way he almost seemed to dismiss the fact that they are so family oriented. I know Allen asked the question about where people live while they are at college, and Zaydun came off as bashful about saying that most college age adults live at home or with relatives during school. I think he said something to the effect of "Americans think it is silly or old fashioned for young adults to live at home" when really it is a mere cultural difference.
I also fancied the fact that mostly women are in their universities, and this seems to be an underlying trend in the Middle Eastern world. Peculiar as it is, I think it is wonderful that women go on to get higher educations than men, even though it is a necessity to survive and offer something valuable to the job market.
Hearing Zaydun talk about his experience living in Jordan was refreshing. I think culture is one of the many things that keeps our minds rich with new ideas and our hearts filled with traditions and customs that we carry with us forever. Having a defined culture in this world is having a unique take on life and makes the planet that much more special. We are all able to learn from one another and take from each other to better understand ourselves and to cherish our own heritage.
I also fancied the fact that mostly women are in their universities, and this seems to be an underlying trend in the Middle Eastern world. Peculiar as it is, I think it is wonderful that women go on to get higher educations than men, even though it is a necessity to survive and offer something valuable to the job market.
Hearing Zaydun talk about his experience living in Jordan was refreshing. I think culture is one of the many things that keeps our minds rich with new ideas and our hearts filled with traditions and customs that we carry with us forever. Having a defined culture in this world is having a unique take on life and makes the planet that much more special. We are all able to learn from one another and take from each other to better understand ourselves and to cherish our own heritage.
On a sidenote, I would also like to admit I had no idea what Zaydun had brought for us to eat (cultural unawareness at its finest :P) so I decided to look it up. Baklava was actually originated i
n Turkey and other former Ottoman countries. But, every ethnic group whose ancestry goes back to the Middle East has a claim of their own on this pastry.It is made of phylo dough filled with pisatchios or walnuts, and then sweetened with syrup or honey. It can also be cut up into many different shapes and sizes. Gaziantep, Turkey, is famous for baklava, and is regarded as the native city of the dessert. I thought it tasted pretty interesting. Very sticky and gooey, but good. :)
n Turkey and other former Ottoman countries. But, every ethnic group whose ancestry goes back to the Middle East has a claim of their own on this pastry.It is made of phylo dough filled with pisatchios or walnuts, and then sweetened with syrup or honey. It can also be cut up into many different shapes and sizes. Gaziantep, Turkey, is famous for baklava, and is regarded as the native city of the dessert. I thought it tasted pretty interesting. Very sticky and gooey, but good. :)
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