Bumming out

I know that I've been complaining about school a lot here lately. More or less everything is about that right now. So to make things a little bit clearer I'll give you the inside scoop on what we're up to. Today the teacher asked us to conjugate verbs... Verbform one that is... Ok she wanted us to conjugate Akhada, shadda and verbs like that but still, I've known that stuff for years. So not only don't I see any new words I have to do old grammar all over again. In a week and a half I've written down about 20 words that I didn't know before. In class that is. Reading in private I've written down about ten times that.

To put this in another perspective I was doing word by word translation of a newspaper article for a friend today without even consulting good old Hans. Ok it was about an Hamas delegation going to Moscow but still... (ok that was a horrible example, me and Hans are still the best of friends. He's the shoulder I'm leaning on, the light in the end of my tunnel and that's not very bad going for an old dead German guy.)

So I was really down under after class today, just feeling like I'm wasting my time achiving nothing. I went to the gym but left after only half an hour because I was really feeling down. Then I went to the library at the French Cultural Center and read Ash-sharq al-awsat and that at least felt meaningful. The rest of the evening was spent loitering around doing nothing much at all. Homework for tomorrow was to conjugate verbs... I always do my homework, no matter how stupid and easy it is but this I will not do. Despite me and Werner being way ahead of the rest of the class, we seem to be the only ones doing the homework on a regular basis. I like to say: "I came to study". I say that almost as often as I say: "people are crazy, did I ever tell you that?"

Sometimes I think that the point of studying Arabic is to remind you that you're mortal. I've always had the idea that unless I almost break out and cry in every class and when ever I'm doing my homework or what ever there's something wrong. Arabic is supposed to be so hard that there simply is no hope around. And then one day you just sit down with a newspaper and read it as you would any Swedish or English one. At least that's how I Imagine it will be, sometime in the future. Now I'm just almost breaking out in tears for all the wrong reasons.

Everything else is just great but school sucks bigtime. I just hope it get's harder in the next couple of courses otherwise I won't be able to stand it. On the other hand it would be kind of cool to be the first one to quit an Arabic course because it was to easy... (maybe not the first one, but I dare to say that it's not the most common reason)

Sorry for this, I promise less bitter posts in the future. That despite the fact that I'm going to THE most boring city in the World next week...

Note to self

always bring earpluggs... Yes we went to that club last friday and it was cool but the sound was so loud that I couldn't stay for as long as I had wanted. But I'm pretty sure we're going back there. It's kind of nice to go to someplace that's not barsaloon...

I also handed in my computer for service today. Not only was the place an authorized reseller for Apple but the guy had also changed the harddrive on atleast one other iBook... And not only do I get a bigger and better one than the last one but he also offered to recover my old one and try to make it in to an external harddrive and that without charging any extra. All in all it will cost me 10.000 lira which is about as much as a new harddrive, without installation, would cost in Sweden so it was a good deal I think...

Other great things include the weather turning for the better, I don't even have to sleep with my sock on anymore. And that's very good since I managed to brake my washing machine. I hope it will be fixed in the next couple of days but for now I'm bying underwear in bulk...

So far I've been able to get to school in time this week but I still don't learn anything while I'm there. Instead I spend most of my spare time watching al-jazeera and reading al-sharq al-awsat and al-arabi. And drinking coffee at inhouse of course. They still haven't given me an ashtray but I'm working on it. First I tried to buy one but that was not possible so they offered to give me a chipped one, tomorrow. The sad thing is that tomorrow never seem to come around over here.

I shouldn't say that I don't learn anything in school. I've actually learned a couple of things. The most important I've learnt I learned today and that is that "den som lever far se" also is an arabic proverb. You learn something everyday (and they're not all like sunday by the way) I like to say.

I'm trying to improve myself here so I'm going to give you a little preview of what's comming in the future; The Rolling Stones and the Arabs.

Winning the battle

I have finally come to terms with the taxi drivers around here. I simply stoped riding them. It seemed like the best solution. Now I'm all in to walking and riding services. It is, of course, almost impossible to never ride with the taxis but at least I cut it down a bit and walking is really nice. Asking for directions isn't though. The most common reply to a question about how to get to somwhere usually is: oh that's far, you take a cab from here and... Arabs doesn't seem to be in to the entire walking thing.

School continues to be far too easy but getting up in the morning isn't. I have two alarmclock and I still overslept twice the first week. I usually never oversleep so I'm getting a bit nervous if I'll be allowed to stay in the class or not...

Today is friday and a complete day off. I'm not going to the gym today and I haven't spent anytime with my books yet. I'm going to do a couple of hours of reading before I go out tonight. People seem to want to go to some kind of club in the old city. I don't know if I really want to do that but I'll probably go with them.

Mending the broken

We all met this guy outside the place you go to to get a permission to visit Quneitra. I ended up not going there but the rest went and that guy went along with them. He was an American just visiting the country. A couple of days later me and Werner ran into him on the street again. I was looking for this place that might be able to repair my computer. He then told me that he had this American friend who'd had just the same problem with her Powerbook and that she'd had it fixed here in Damascus. I just went bombasticly extatic and handed him my email and asked me to send directions. Werner then bet me a beer that he'd never send it. But the good thing is that he did. The bad thing is that his friend hasn't had her computer fixed yet. So now I'm just sitting here waiting for more news. Maybe I too should go out and look for someone. Nay, why do things yourself when other people can do it for you?

School has been going on for a couple of days now and everyone seem to agree on that I'm in the wrong level. Everyone except the teacher that is. Whenever she says something she just looks at me and ask me if I understand and everytime I just nodd and say "of course". Anyway, I don't spend too much time on my homework and that gives me the time to go to the gym and also to read more interesting stuff than "al-kitab al-asasi". We're doing political systems of the Arab world now... They seem to be the best in the world...

First day of school

Today was the day, the day to separate the boys from the men. I'm proud to say that I'm not a boy but not yet a man. The class was kind of disorientated as well as chaotic. People kept on comming in during the day and it was more or less impossible to tell how many we are. I'd make a guess and say somwhere between eight and ten. The biggest Arabic class I've been in for years... The teacher spoke very clear and good Arabic. I'm sorry to say that the students didn
t. It became quite clear to me and Werner, the Austrian guy, that we might be in a level or two too low. Anyway I heard one word I didn't know from before. Which for a four hour day can't be seen as too bad. If everything goes on in that speed I'll learn somwhere like a hundred word these six months. There're a lot of people out there who knows less than that. Other than that I must say that I was most impressed with those of the students that only studied Arabic for three months. Had I known that much after three months I have no idea how much I'd know today. One thing is at least for sure: I'll never study Arabic in Sweden again.

Everything else is fine. I went to the gym again today. Four times in one week is quite ok. I also had some chicken sandwiches so I have to go tomorrow again :) Now I'm of for coffee at inhouse. I'll make sure to harras them in to selling me an ashtray too. They've refused for a while now but I have a feeling that they're about to budge.

Riding with a truthsayer

The placement test didn't go as I well as I had hoped. I ended up in level four of eight. On the other hand it was just the level I was hoping for since that means I'll be able to stay here until August, just like I planned to do. I've already met anothe guy who's in the same class and he seems to know what he's doing so I guess it won't be too easy. At least I'll know the grammar part...

I've spent the last couple of days mostly hanging out with other foreigners. That mostly meant doing kind of touristy stuff, which I think you should also find time for when you're here. Last night we were supposed to go the the North Korean built panorma of the October War. Too bad for us, but good for our driver, it was closed when we got there. The cab driver was nice enough to inform us about it as we were two minutes away from the place. The cab drivers here are all just the best people. Instead we decided to go for dinner and later for some beers. First at a little posh Italian coffee shop and after that at the infamous Bar Saloon. At least we filled the place up...

As usual I got a cab to go home. The difference this time was that the driver was a little bit odd. He started by asking me what I thought about Arabs. When I told him I liked them he went on a five minute rant about what thieves and liars all Arabs are (and yes he was an Arab Muslim himself). I tried to protest and tell him that I have lots of Arab friends and that they are very nice. He just waived my protests away and said they just wanted my money. Just as he was being nice to me just because I was going to pay him for the ride... So yes, it was kind of a strange ride.

Going Social

It's been a while since I last wrote something here. It's not really my fault though, mostly it's because I've been unable to access this page. So don't blame me, blame the isp here or maybe blogger :)

Anyway, the last couple of days have been really nice. The weather is getting better again and I'm atleast pretending to meet people. I've also had a problem with sleeping, or rather, I've been sleeping too much. That made me a bit nervous about today since I had a placement test early in the morning. But I got up in time and everything. I've also had time to go to the gym and hanging out some more with the danes. They're all very good people, but their reputation sucks.
I've also registerd with the embassy so now my precense here is known. I guess they care about as much as anyone else about that.

Today I had, as i wrote before, the placement test. IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOO HARD!!! I couldn't even believe it. Ok, I haven't studied Arabic for a year and of course I've forgotten a lot but this was insane. Still there are those that are worse than me but I won't be in any of the higher levels. This does actually come as a bit of a surprise since I still speak rather well. I mean; I've managed to negotiate an apartment deal and I do most everything in Arabic but when it comes to modern standard I'm so lost I can't belive it.

After all parts of the test I went with some other foreigners, one German guy, one Check girl and two Brittons to eat and have coffee. They all seem like really nice people and I might see them again at a party tonight. Apparantly a lot of the foreigners living in the old city are getting together for tonight. And since I'm never one to say no to a good party I'll be there. Maybe I'll even have my first clash with my landlord tonight...

Passing time

I moved in to my apartment yesterday. It's as nice as it gets, the problem, though, is that it's also as cold as it gets. I used up all the oil in one of my heater. I guess I'll freeze to death tonight. This only means one thing for sure and that's that I'll have the warmest apartment in the summer, and yes, there's no air conditioner. That's life.

I spent most of last night watching tv. I was wrong before, I have like 400 channels but most of them are in Arabic, German, Italian and Farsi. But there are som music channels and at least one that show American movies and one that shows American tv-shows. So I watch Dr Phil and Oprah for all it's worth. And I'm also freezing. Did I mention that?

Today I slept late again. Maybe not the smartest thing to do but it sure felt nice. I also washed some more clothes and went shopping for some things I needed for the apartment. Then I went to the gym again. Might as well make it in to a routine and I haven't had a shawarma all day. Good riddance. Now I'll just go home and freeze some more...

Sleeping in

Today is my first day to relax a bit. I really slept late this morning before moving all my things over to my new apartment. The good thing is that it's only downhill from Jonas place, the bad thing is that I had to go two rounds to carry everything. The rest of the day I've spent washing clothes and watching tv. I have like 300 channels on my tv but only four or so are in english and two of those are BBC World... I don't even have CNN but I do have a couple of Quran channels. That's really educational...

So I take some time to tell you about Damascus. It's a rather big city that I can't find my way around yet. I have to take a taxi whenever I want to go anywhere, and that include to the other side of the street. Arabs might be the most hospitable crowd around but when they get behind the wheel they go compleatly crazy. It's fun and interesting for awhile but mostly I just fear for my life. Other things I've learnt so far include that it's impossible to find a shawarma place or internet cafe when you want one but they're everywhere when you don't. The one I'm using right now is really good but also expensive. I guess it's all about quality here.

I sold my soul to the Devil

So I went along with it and signed a six month contract with the ultraconservative landlord. It's not as bad as it seems and I'll be fine. I might even be able to move after six months if I'm not happy. At least I have a nice place to live for now.

Other than that nothing much new happend today except for me getting a gymcard. I just hope I'll use it. One thing is for sure and that's that I have to stop eating only shawarma and pizza. I hope that'll change with my new apartment...

I've also noticed some interesting things about Syrians. The one thing they always ask me after how I'm doing and where I'm from is which currency we use in Sweden. It might seem like a strange question to ask someone, then again I'm not Syrian...

Another fun thing happend yesterday; I was in this taxi and the driver wanted to know what "Last night I dreamt of San Remo" meant. Apparently he'd been thinking about it for years. He got so happy when I told him that I didn't have to pay him. Good times man!

Looking for a life in all the wrong places

I spent today looking for a place to live. It went pretty well and I visited some different places. Now it's more or less down to two different apartment; The first one is a really nice two room place with a washing machine and balcony and more or less everything else that you can want. It's also quite cheap but it's in a rather conservative neighbourhood and I'll probably get stoned for living my life. The other place is just a room without more or less anything except for a bed and a lamp, but it's really really cheap. On the other hand; to have a real apartment with all the luxuries for less than 15.000 lira/month might be worth it. Instead of paying half for something that's worse than a cell at my old job... Options, options. I think I go for the nice apartment, I've never been one to turn down a good stoning...

Other things going on: My computer broke down so I have no idea how to finish my thesis. I'll try to get it fixed but since it's a mac it's probably impossible. I'll just have to settle for being a notorious under performer. If anyone feels like sending me an old computer you're more than welcome to do so :) New ones are of course also accepted :)

PASSED EXAM!!!

I know I already wrote a post today but there's so much going on I just felt like writing another one. One thing is sure so far; I must have set a record in registring at the uni today. I managed to get it all done in one day. I started out going with J to campus in the morning but the office was closed so I had a cup of coffee and ten or so ciggarettes. Then I went back to the office and got my application form and the paper that I should hand to the Aids test center. After that I took a taxi that was expensive even by Swedish standards, but at least it got me there. Getting ripped off is after all a big part of the Middle Eastern experiance. At the center I had to first visit the "library" to have my picture taken and to make some photocopies of my passport. Then this guy at the center stuck a needle in to one of my veins and poured a couple of liters of my blood in to a tube. That wasn't too bad though, I've had worse, I have a small brother for God's sake. Then it was on to the embassy to get a paper stating that they have no objecions to me studying at the uni, which they hadn't but they told me to stay inside today, which I didn't. Now I was really getting hungry but food is a luxury best enjoyed at a later time. Instead I did some emailing and updated this page. When I finished that I went to the souq to buy some workout clothes and towels, yet again I was ripped off harder than a grandma in a Morrocan bazaar. At least I got everything I wanted before heading back to the center to get my result and I'm happy to say that I passed my first test here, the results came back negative, which I think was positive. With no time to spare I headed straight back to uni, got a hold of a pen to fill out my application form and handed everything in. All accomplished in just a little bit more than five hours. Good going boy! After all that I was so tired and out of cash that I had to go back home to pick some up. Too bad for me neither I or the cab driver knew where I'm staying so all of the money I had on me was spent getting almost back. I had to walk the last part. But I don't complain, that wouldn't just be me now would it?

For those of you that feel like you need my new Syrian number, please send me an email.

One day in paradise

As I wrote yesterday I arrived safe and well. The flight was really nice since I both ran in to an old classmate of mine and that we didn't stop in Aleppo so the flight was only four hours. I had no problems at the airport, except for tipping the guy who carried my bag to the taxi ten dollars. I hope he needed them. I'm not able to call from my Swedish phone here but it's possible to send text messages. This made contact with Jonas a bit hard but I managed to get hold of him and a guy on the street handed me his phone so that I could call Jonas. He asked me to meet him in front of a mosque in Baramke. Of all the places to meet that might not have been the best but I was only mildly harrased and when I explained to everyone that I'm Swedish everything was ok. After meeting Jonas we went back to his really nice apartment and I had a shower, checked the news and sent my mother an email. Later in the evening we went out for some shawarma and strange soda, the shawarma was great, the soda wasn't. I tried to make Jonas go to the newly opened KFC but the refused so instead we went to a very western inspired coffee shop. They advertised things like San Fransico Blend and European Espresso. We also had the chance to check out our embassies. They looked fine, not. When I visited the Swedish one today I got a better look at things and it kind of looks like a reclaim the streets demonstration on steroids had been allowed to roam freely in the entrance area.

For now everything seem to be quite calm but rumors say that there'll be a demonstration against the French today and against the Danish again on saturday so maybe I'll go to Lattakia or something for the weekend.

Alive on arrival

I'm in Damascus now, the weather and everything else is wonderful. Take care and be safe.

Where does the good go?

My plan was to write something funny about packing today but the last couple of days kind of make that a tad improper so I'll just write this instead. I'm still leaving for Syria so my plans hasn't changed in any way. This does not mean that everything is still the same. I will have to take it easy for a couple of days and check the situation out and I also have to admit that I'm a bit scared. Mostly I think it's because of the trip but the situation makes me feel like thinking everything over once or twice. I will, of course, be on the next plane home if the situation get completely out off hand, but I don't think that'll happen.

God speed on all of you and take care, wherever you are.