Jun

True Warmth in Jordan’s Wadi Rum Desert

by Sally Baho on June 1, 2015

A golden-red canyon in Wadi Rum, Jordan illustrating a barrier as large as the cultural barriers that some travelers to the Middle East may feel are in place. (Image © Sally Baho)

In a climate so harsh, it’s no wonder people are so warm to one another.
© Sally Baho

Crossing Geographic and Cultural Barriers

It was the dead of summer, and I was taking a road trip from Aqaba, Jordan, back to the capital, Amman. We stopped in Wadi Rum to explore the desert that Lawrence of Arabia had traversed just about a century prior.

Although not as grandiose as T.E. Lawrence’s experiences, my short time in Wadi Rum was a lesson in bridging cultural barriers by way of unexpected friendships.

Warm Wadi Rum

Highway through Wadi Rum lined with palm trees, experienced during trip where cultural barriers were bridged. (Image © Sally Baho)

Now tree-lined, the King’s Highway is the road
where, according to the Old Testament,
Moses was refused passage.
© Sally Baho

The two-lane King’s Highway leading into the wadi (valley) is flanked with palm trees. All you can see for miles is the desert with occasional herds of camels and goats.

It was just over 100˚F as we exited the air-conditioned car and were immediately overcome with dry, desert heat.

The reds and pinks and oranges of the desert only added to the physical heat, but it was a sweet heat like an all inclusive, warm hug.

Orange and red sand desert in Wadi Rum, where a traveler can experience bridging cultural barriers with Bedouin people. (Image © Sally Baho)

With the colors of the desert adding to the heat of the climate, you cannot escape the warmth.
© Sally Baho

We boarded a Jeep for a tour around the desert. From the hot wind to the swirling sands and the jutting rocks, the warmth was omnipresent.

A girl iwith wind-blown hair in an open-air jeep on a trip that bridges cultural barriers in Wadi Rum, Jordan. (Image © Sally Baho)

Wind-blown hair in an open air jeep
© Sally Baho

We stopped and had coffee with a Bedouin family, who had flagged us down—they were welcoming and shared their strong, bitter coffee with us. While we only spent about thirty minutes with them, it was enough time to be out of the sun and rest in the shade with hospitable people.

A Bedouin man and a tent set in front of a jagged butte in Wadi Rum, Jordan. Sharing coffee in his tent, we bridged our cultural barriers. (Image © Sally Baho)

Shelter in the hot, midday sun in Wadi Rum, Jordan
© Sally Baho

The Warmth of an Unlikely Friendship

After our desert tour, I happened upon the gift shop at the Visitor’s Center that sold ceramic handiworks made by local girls and women through an initiative sponsored by USAID (United States Agency for International Development). USAID provided the infrastructure and resources to help maintain the Bedouin pottery-making practice and simultaneously empower girls and women.

Women making and selling pottery at a co-op near Wadi Rum, Jordan in hopes of bridging cultural barriers. (Image © USAID)

Women creating pottery at a coop near Petra, Jordan
© USAID

A Nestle KitKat Bar from Jordan; no cultural barriers here. © Sally Baho

Chocolate, the universal
conversation starter
© Sally Baho

I chatted with the attendant, Rabbia, and offered her half of the KitKat bar I was eating. Her face lit up, and the conversation began flowing with ease.

I explained my background and Rabbia’s curiousity was piqued—she wanted to know where I came from, why I spoke Arabic, if I was traveling alone, was I married, etc.

Rabbia and I were both in our early twenties. We loved art, chocolate, had the same taste in music, were close with our families, and were passionate about life. We asked each other candid questions about each others’ lifestyles, and benign curiosity shone through as the motivation behind the questions. I found myself talking and laughing and sharing a beautiful moment with a person from a very different background than me.

In a ceramic gift shop in Wadi Rum, two ladies find a friendship that bridged their cultural barriers. (Image © Sally Baho)

A desert friendship
© Sally Baho

Oh, I See

By being open, you can act as your own bridge to any cultural barriers that may exist. My experience in Wadi Rum showed me that despite the harsh conditions and my purely touristic visit to the desert, I found people who were willing to share and be kind so long as I was open to it. Travel does this to you—it forces you to open up to others, and in doing so you see the beauty of what people have in common.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”

—Mark Twain

Find more information on Jordanian Culture at the Embassy of Jordan site.

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Sally Baho 2 Comments

Crossing Cultures/Cultural Heritage & Traditions/Jordan

May

Mexican Dances Step Across Cultures

by Eva Boynton on May 26, 2015

Female Mexican dancers in colorful costumes, showing one of many traditional Mexican dances that go across different cultures that make up Mexico. (Image © Eva Boynton)

Las Chiapanecas (The Women of Chiapas) whirl in an elegant tornado of color and tradition.
© Eva Boynton

One Stage, Many Colors

When you travel, timing is everything.

In a new city, any turn down a street can bring a surprise—like my walk down calle Miguel Hidalgo in Toluca, Mexico, that led me straight into a festival lit up with color, music, and dance. This was Toluca’s third Festival Cultural, highlighting National Teacher’s Day on May 15.

A single stage celebrated dances and music from around the world, showcasing performers of traditional Mexican dances side by side with those who embraced more modern influences. The event showed how Mexico goes across cultures to form an eclectic cultural identity.

Embracing the Present

Los niños (the kids) launched the festivities with flair. In colorful costumes, they performed dance routines inspired by movies, musicals, and—in this case—music by Christina Aguilera and Michael Jackson.

Young girls dressed in pink outfits dancing to jazz music, illustrating how Mexican dances can go across cultures. (Image © Eva Boynton)

A tip of the hat to JAZZ!
© Eva Boynton

Groups of performers, each from a different preschool or elementary school, garnered smiles and applause even when a child missed the cue or ran into a fellow dancer in a pirouette across the stage.

Ballarinas dancing in a group, showing how Mexican dances can go across cultures. (Image © Eva Boynton)

Ballet, originating in Europe and Russia, is a part of modern Mexico and
sometimes mixes with traditional dance.
© Eva Boynton

The dancers’ earnest effort, costumes, choreographed moves, and elaborate set changes demonstrated their dedication to the cultural celebration.

I had never imagined being at a Mexican festival singing along to Hakuna Matata, It’s a Hard Knock Life, and other familiar songs from The Lion King, Peter Pan, Annie, The Wizard of Oz, Grease, Chicago, and Cats.

Mexican girl performing a dance as the wicked witch from The Wizard of Oz, showing how performers in Mexico go across cultures in Mexican dances. (Image © Eva Boynton)

A pause in the performance by the scary Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz
© Eva Boynton

Yet, on this day at this Festival Cultural, jazz born in New Orleans and ballet originating in Europe seemed a natural part of modern Mexican traditions.

The performances celebrated these modern-day influences, and with a nod to the younger generations, they incorporated new colors of culture into Mexican tradition.

Crossing Paths with the Past

As Dorothy and Toto exited the stage, however, Aztec dancers entered the spotlight.

A shift in cultures, for sure. But as Mexico’s danzas folklóricas (folk or traditional dances) played out, it became apparent that these dances, from 31 different states, stepped across cultures and times themselves.

Each dance told a story of its origin and time, reflecting indigenous roots, local traditions, or historical events:

The Danza Azteca (Aztec Dance) comes from the state of Guerrero where Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec emperor was laid to rest.

Traditional dancers dressed with feather headdresses, showing crossing cultures of Mexican tradition. (image © Eva Boynton)

Feather headdresses and the noisy seed leggings are part of the
traditional costumes worn for Aztec dances.
© Eva Boynton

Las Igüiris, with footsteps similar to the waltz, is a dance from Michoacán performed by women as a kind of bachelorette party. Such iconic dances have strong ties to indigenous culture since the region was less impacted by colonization.

Women dressed in red dresses and hats for a traditional Mexican dance, showing Mexican tradition. (image © Eva Boynton)

Even the petticoats worn for this dance are colorfully embroidered.
© Eva Boynton

During the 1800s, miners from South America migrated toward the California Gold Rush and stopped in Mexico to rest. Forms of Peruvian and Chilean dance, with their synchronous and passionate twirling of scarves, were adopted and changed by locals to create Chilena dances.

Women and men dancing in white and twirling scarves, showing Peruvian and Chilean influences on traditional Mexican dances. (Image © Eva Boynton)

Chilena dances, like “El Toro Rabón” (The Bull Without a Tail) or “La Iguana,”
(The Iguana) are named after animals found in the local environment.
© Eva Boynton

Dances from La Huasteca, the southern part of the state of Tamaulipas, were influenced by its neighbors (Nuevo Leon to the west and Texas to the north), including the leather outfits that resemble the charro suit.

Women and men dressed in cowboy-like outfits balancing bottles on their heads, showing influences of border culture on traditional Mexican dances. (Image © Eva Boynton)

These dancers keep their rhythm while balancing jars on their heads.
© Eva Boynton

And because dances need music and movement, get a better feel for them from this video (5:11).

If video does not display, access it here.

A New View of Mexican Dances

Glued to my seat, I watched the dancers until Oh, I couldn’t see much longer! My eyes were killing me, and my legs had fallen asleep. But by the time I left I had a new understanding of what happens when people go across cultures.

Little did I know that by stumbling upon this festival I would get my own education in how a place can honor its past and present with national and international influences. It was a day to celebrate the vibrancy of Mexican dances and the ever-changing nature of cultural heritage.

And that was only my first day in town . . .

Festival Cultural 2015
© Eva Boynton

The Festival Cultural was sponsored by the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (National Union of Educational Workers) as part of their efforts to encourage teachers to foster an understanding of Mexican heritage and culture in their students.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Eva Boynton 3 Comments

Crossing Cultures/Cultural Heritage & Traditions/Mexico

May

Cultural Differences of the Fast Food Kind

by Meredith Mullins on May 18, 2015

Desserts in a Paris McDonald's restaurant, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image © Meredith Mullins)

Sweet Dreams
© Meredith Mullins

McDonald’s: From Le Croque McDo to McSpicy Paneer to Matcha McFlurry

Yummm. Rows of macarons in their inviting soft pastel palette. Rich chocolate cake. Little canelés rising like flour fortresses. Tiramisu. Cheesecake. Cookies. Lemon tarts.

Where are we?

In a sweet dessert dream? In a prominent Paris patisserie? In the restaurant of a Michelin-starred chef?

We could be. But, in fact, we’re at a McCafé, a part of the McDonald’s ambiance in France that brings all the lusciousness of French pastries and desserts to its fast food counter. From croissants to muffins to traditional French pastries, they’re all here for the (fast) taking.

McCafé at a Paris McDonald's restaurant, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image © Meredith Mullins)

Changing Times

I remember when a McDonald’s finally came to our town (somewhere around high school for me). The golden arches rose majestically and seemed to be lit from within. We looked on in awe.

Fifteen cents for a hamburger. Ten cents for a drink. The brightly colored restaurant quickly became an after-school hangout, and our parents’ carefully-planned healthy cooking became a distant memory usurped by an all-beef patty on an oh-so-soft roll.

McDonald’s turned 75 last week (May 15). The company has grown from a single BBQ stand in San Bernardino, California, to more than 35,000 restaurants that reach out to local tastes around the world. From a single burger to the Big Mac to the Quarter Pounder to a range of new offerings, the menu changes with the times and tastes.

Man with McDonald's quarter pounder, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image © David Taggart)

Fast Food with Cultural Roots

In the McDonald’s restaurants around the world, the menus adapt to the culture and tastes of the locals. Traveling Americans like to have a familiar place to eat—a place where the lingo is known and where there are reminders of “home.”

The familiar burgers and fries are available in 119 countries. But when the menu relates to the culture and traditions of the country, the flavors appeal to the locals, as well as to the visitors.

The McFalafel from McDonald's in the Middle East, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image courtesy of McDonald's)

The McFalafel
Photo courtesy of McDonald’s

Far Flung Flavors

Looking at McDonald’s menus across cultures is a travel adventure in itself, as well as a lesson in diversity.

From Le Croque McDo in France to the McSpicy Paneer in India to the McSausage Burger in Germany to a little sprinkle of seaweed on the fries in Japan, each menu adapts to the tastes of the country.

A McDonald's in Israel, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image © Mark Sebastiani)

There is a kosher menu in Israel. There is a vegetarian menu in India. And there are creative recipes in every country that provide good clues as to what local folks like to eat.

The Ebi Burger or Ebi Filet-O in Japan, Singapore, and other Asian countries—a whole-shrimp crispy patty, served with lettuce and a spicy sauce in a Big Mac bun.
The very round Le Croque McDo
Photo courtesy of McDonald’s
Le Croque McDo in France—a very round croque monsieur, a French sandwich with emmental cheese and ham melted on toasted bread.
The McArabia in Arab countries—two grilled chicken patties with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and garlic sauce inside a pita.
Burbur Ayam in Malaysia—a breakfast porridge with chicken, spring onions, ginger, shallots, and chilies.
McSpicy Paneer in India—a fried curd cheese patty with tandoori sauce, red cabbage, and lettuce on a sesame roll.
McLobster in Canada and Maine—lobster salad on a long bun.
The Italian spinach and parmesan McNuggets
Photo courtesy of McDonald’s

McLaks in Norway—salmon filet on a bun.
McPinto in Costa Rica—the traditional gallo pinto (black beans and rice) with fried plantain, eggs, and vegetables.
Gazpacho in Spain, spinach and parmesan McNuggets in Italy, McFalafel in Israel, and Bacon Rolls in the U.K.

Chicken Maharaja Mac at a McDonald's in India, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image courtesy of McDonald's)

From McDonald’s in India: The Chicken Maharaja Mac
Photo courtesy of McDonald’s

More Clues to the Culture

McDonald’s adapts its menus, but there are other customizations as well. The buildings can show individual style, and the ordering process is also different in some countries.

The McDonald's in Deagu, Korea, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image courtesy of McDonald's)

Modern times at the McDonald’s in Deagu, Korea
Photo courtesy of McDonald’s

The McDonald’s in Times Square hosts a marquis with glittering lights. The Taupo, New Zealand McDonald’s, is inside an old DC-3 airplane. And the McDonald’s in Sedona, Arizona, had to change its golden arches to turquoise at the request of local leaders (a better fit with the palette of the city).

Wooden McDonald's in Paris on rue St Lazare, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image © Meredith Mullins)

The ordering processes go from high tech (with a wall of touch screens to take orders and payments) to home delivery in many Asian countries. The fast food chain consistency concept seems to be changing into promoting individuality and personality.

Touch screens at McDonald's for ordering, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image © Meredith Mullins)

Oh, I See

There are many ways to learn about cultural differences in the world. The McDonald’s story tells us that food offers a way to connect to another culture.

The next time you’re in another country looking at a McDonald’s fast food menu, you can go one of two ways. You can have a “stay-at-home” familiar burger and fries, or you can choose one of the local menu items. Either way is an adventure—a taste of culture a long time in the making.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Meredith Mullins Comments

Cultural Diversity/Worldwide Sites

World Views:

Topics

Category Archives: Map Points

True Warmth in Jordan’s Wadi Rum Desert

Crossing Geographic and Cultural Barriers

Warm Wadi Rum

The Warmth of an Unlikely Friendship

Oh, I See

Mexican Dances Step Across Cultures

One Stage, Many Colors

Embracing the Present

Crossing Paths with the Past

A New View of Mexican Dances

Cultural Differences of the Fast Food Kind

McDonald’s: From Le Croque McDo to McSpicy Paneer to Matcha McFlurry

Changing Times

Fast Food with Cultural Roots

Far Flung Flavors

More Clues to the Culture

Oh, I See