Now I'm curious to hear about your misunderstandings. Tell me something that happen with you, something you saw, or heard about it. Let's interact and laugh about these funny situations!
This story is less about a misunderstanding, it's more along the lines of complete culture shock, but I digress. Throughout my many travels, I've dealt with more cultures, and sub cultures than I can count. One of the biggest contrasts to western culture I've personally encountered would have to be the Bedouins of southern Iraq. For those of you who do not know,the Bedouins are a nomadic people, who roam the deserts of North Africa and the middle east.
While most Bedouins have surrendered their nomadic lifestyle for the stability of city life,the ones I met were full nomad. It was a small family, a father, son and their seven shared wives, or at least that's what I was told (given that I do not speak Arabic, this was all done trough an interpreter). Perhaps there was an error in communication, but I was informed that yes, indeed they do share their wives, and they seemed rather proud of it.
The Bedouin camp was like noting I'd ever seen in person, there were a few large tents made of knit sheets. These "sheets" were colored with intricate design. Each tent was large enough to comfortably fit a few grown men standing up. Nothing like the tents one would take camping, these tents were their permanent homes, despite the fact they moves every few months.
These people live in a world forgot by most, a place where you move with the weather and survive off your herd (Camels, goat, and sheep). A few short weeks after our visit they were gone, Packed up without a trace, the simply vanished into the desert almost as if they had never been there at all.
Hey Chris!!! Thanks for sharing.. great story! :) I want a tent now. Can you imagine not having to spend tons of money buying a house and having the opportunity to move whenever you feel like moving? Sounds fun, but I would miss my comfy and warm bed. :/
This story is less about a misunderstanding, it's more along the lines of complete culture shock, but I digress. Throughout my many travels, I've dealt with more cultures, and sub cultures than I can count. One of the biggest contrasts to western culture I've personally encountered would have to be the Bedouins of southern Iraq. For those of you who do not know,the Bedouins are a nomadic people, who roam the deserts of North Africa and the middle east.
ReplyDeleteWhile most Bedouins have surrendered their nomadic lifestyle for the stability of city life,the ones I met were full nomad. It was a small family, a father, son and their seven shared wives, or at least that's what I was told (given that I do not speak Arabic, this was all done trough an interpreter). Perhaps there was an error in communication, but I was informed that yes, indeed they do share their wives, and they seemed rather proud of it.
The Bedouin camp was like noting I'd ever seen in person, there were a few large tents made of knit sheets. These "sheets" were colored with intricate design. Each tent was large enough to comfortably fit a few grown men standing up. Nothing like the tents one would take camping, these tents were their permanent homes, despite the fact they moves every few months.
These people live in a world forgot by most, a place where you move with the weather and survive off your herd (Camels, goat, and sheep). A few short weeks after our visit they were gone, Packed up without a trace, the simply vanished into the desert almost as if they had never been there at all.
Hey Chris!!! Thanks for sharing.. great story! :)
ReplyDeleteI want a tent now. Can you imagine not having to spend tons of money buying a house and having the opportunity to move whenever you feel like moving? Sounds fun, but I would miss my comfy and warm bed. :/