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March 21, 2005

Crazy Holidays

Today is Mothers Day here in Amman. Yes, it is about two months early but all holidays here are crazy. Hopefully I'm gonna pick up some flowers for my host mom to say thank you for doing my piles of laundry, cooking me amazing meals, and translating my broken Arabic into acceptable sentances. I should probably also pick up a card for my real Mom also seeing as they won't be around when the real mothers day arrives.

Another interesting but messed up holiday here in Amman is Easter. Because there aren't many Christians around and those that are around like to stick together, Easter isn't until the beginning of May when the Orthodox Christians traditionally celebrate the holiday. I was really confused when my Mom (real one) said she was sending me an Easter card already because Lent just started around here last week.

The deal is that Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December (according to the Roman Catholic Chruch) and Easter is celebrated according the the Eastern Orthodox Chruch. I really think this is a great deal because it symbolizes the cooperation that is needed all over the globe. Even though this is a regligious issue, the groups were able to come to an agreement that is acceptable to everyone. No one had a fit because it violated their religious beliefs, instead they rationalized it and put more emphasis on their similarities rather than on their differences. If more groups were willing to make sacrifices like this, we may end up with a peaceful world!

Anyways, it just goes to show what is possible in a region where religion seems to divide people rather than unite them.

Posted by rcollins at March 21, 2005 6:36 AM

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Posted by: Barbara at March 21, 2005 8:38 AM