Monthly Archives: October 2011

What is occupation, anyway?

Posted on 31 October 2011 by admin

I just got back from a rather intense work trip abroad, and this weekend I started tackling all the hundreds, nay thousands, of blogs that I had queued up to read but not yet opened. I knew this whole “occupy” … Continue reading →

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This time I’m the guest poster! “The World Traveling Introvert”

Posted on 29 October 2011 by admin

A couple of months ago, right around the time I was beginning this attempted transition into a life of a little less transition, I came across a blog whose very title seemed to capture my heart: “Introverted Church” by Adam … Continue reading →

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Culturtwining Misunderstanding – gotta love it!

Posted on 25 October 2011 by admin

I’d totally forgotten about this but it just cracked me up all over again. Hope you enjoy! A co-wife?, somewhere in the Middle East, 2 September 2008 Imagine this scenario, then tell me, can you explain how the arab girl … Continue reading →

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their clothes are as bright as the tomatoes they carry

Posted on 22 October 2011 by admin

Falahyeen, Southern Syria, 9 August 2008 As I rode down the highway, I passed tent after tent set up for tomato harvest. These tents sat up on the edges of enormous fields of greenery. Outside one of the tents, there … Continue reading →

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Crats = Cats+Rats

Posted on 20 October 2011 by admin

Here is a memory I’d forgotten! I generally don’t think culturtwining involves non-humans, so maybe this isn’t really a culturtwined story. But it’s about living somewhere different, and it’s just simply worth remembering. CRATS, Amman, Jordan, 1 November 2008 I … Continue reading →

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He made his living off of tourism, and now he is tourism

Posted on 18 October 2011 by admin

Several times, now, I have joined groups of friends on tours of Syria, providing a bit of cultural backdrop to their sightseeing. I love adding a human dimension to piles of ancient ruins, but I’ve learned I need to avoid … Continue reading →

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Men are scum, Men are friendly – which is it cuz it can’t be both

Posted on 15 October 2011 by admin

Average guy or scum of the earth?, Jordan, 24 October 2008 His car smelled like women. I thought the smell was the intended outcome of the strawberry air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror, next to a little black pillow … Continue reading →

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Before I Judge… by Shanda

Posted on 13 October 2011 by admin

GUEST POST!! WhenI first saw Shanda’s blog, I immediately thought she’s someone I should follow closely. After all, she may possible have lived in more places than me! And her stories ooze of wisdom… the type of wisdom that comes … Continue reading →

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With a toddler nephew, little boys and potty training take on new meaning

Posted on 11 October 2011 by admin

A boy, a bus and a lack of shame, Damascus, Syria, 4 July 2008 The other day I was walking to town, taking the route I usually take. The sidewalks aren’t great, but the road is heavily trafficked, so I … Continue reading →

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I got my duvet back!

Posted on 10 October 2011 by admin

(if anyone has come to look for Monday Mining CulturTwining on the Web, sorry, I can’t seem to pull that off while in this up-river country. Chance are you don’t even know what I’m talking about, though, so I hope … Continue reading →

Posted in humanitarian work, travel | Tagged , | 5 Comments