True story:
While I did not get to experience the following event firsthand I thought it was worth sharing;
Two men who were traveling with our group had the opportunity to go to a gallery that only featured artwork done by women. The place was nearly deserted except for the women who stood a little ways away from their individual pieces. With one man working as an interpreter the other asked the different women what they were feeling or thinking when they created their painting. They were absolutely amazed at the answers. Islamic women traditionally do not share or show emotion (especially not to a stranger and especially not to a man). The artwork however provided a median that allowed the women to open up in a very unusual fashion. Many of the paintings were dark and one painting showed a woman in chains. They told the men that they felt trapped and very oppressed most of the time. Some of them even cried, overwhelmed that someone would actually take the time to not only look at their artwork but ask them about it. At the end the two men gave a donation for the women to help with the costs of supplies. Overwhelmed and crying they gave them a framed pencil drawing by one of the women. This story still amazes me that these women though they face daily oppression by their culture are able to find an emotional outlet through their artwork.

Fashion in the Middle East:

The traditional dress of the men in the country I went to is the white dresslike outfit, sport coat worn overtop, some sort of head covering, and of course jambia at their side. Up until a year or so ago a rifle was part of the ensamble but new gun control laws have made that look obsolete in the larger cities.

Three men walking along the side of the road that demonstrate the traditional dress:

For women "fashion" is more of a religious mandate then a personal expression. Most of the people in the country I went to were completely covered with a balto headcovering and veil. It is disrespectful to take a woman's picture but this is one I found on the internet that was pretty typical:

Art of the Middle East:



I was very lucky to be able to visit the Sheba Art Gallery which featured work from different artists in the area. The man there was so helpful he did custom framing, matting, and glass cutting for the print that I bought. In the end the total cost for the GORGEOUS work of art and all the custom work: 20 American dollars.



The Art Gallery:










The beautiful painting I got at for an amazing bargain:
(its sitting on my kitchen table...I haven't decided where to hang it)

Music of the Middle East:

These men and their traditional drums provided the background musical beat for the jambia dance. For me not only as an American but as a woman it is rare that I would have the opportunity to witness this tradition of the men but the groom and his family said our presence was an honor to them.

Dancing of the Middle East

During our trip we stumbled upon the beginging of a wedding ceremony. The men
were doing a tradtional dance with their jambias (knives) in preparation for the bride's arrival.

Architecture of the Middle East:

First picture is an ancient village pronouced "Bait Bous" in English that dates back to the BC era. It was updated a few hundred years ago. Very few people live there because of the lack of anything resembling a modern convenience.

This window is typical of the architecture of many middle eastern homes. The beautiful stained glass that was everywhere really surprised me.

This architectural wonder, the famous Dar al-Hadschar Palace (Rock House), which was erected on a rock standing in the valley. There was an architect from Mexico traveling with us and he was amazed at the layout and features of this huge structure.

On June 29th 2007 (the night of my 21st birthday) some friends and I went to see The Fray in concert at the Germaine Ampitheater. They are my absolute favorite band and the fact that they were in town on my birthday was amazing! They brought with them Mae and OkGo two groups that I also enjoy as well. This concert, part of the "How to Save a Life" tour was the experience of a lifetime. Their music is just so moving this middle aged man next to my friend and I was wiping away tears during the title song. The fact that we got to enjoy the Germaine Ampitheater in its last summer (it is scheduled to be torn down due to noise complaints related to its residental location) was also a plus.

Some links to music by Mae

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3E2IidPjBg

and OK GO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI

(links to music by the Fray is at the left)