How Abdulllah reminds us to see beyond stereotypes

 [Amman_Jordan-113.jpg] Abdullah was what one might call a dude in the Western World. Hipster looking with his longish beard, connected to Mother Nature, passionate about his life path, and living on the peripheral of what you think are cultural and religious expectations. A cigarette found its way into his mouth every time he finished telling a story or relaying facts in his direct, and sometimes contemptuous way towards society. It made me giggle inwardly and reminded me a little of my own culture. I found him captivating mostly because he was so different to what I thought a Jordanian would be. It’s easy to think that all people have the character traits and beliefs of one certain label: race, gender, religion – we do it within our own cultures. You know a visit to the Middle East requires a more conservative approach, so you pack more carefully, and research more thoroughly cultural taboos. Naturally you assume everyone is conservative. But as we saw in Jordan, many women dressed without hijabs, showing the culture is made up of different religious faith and there is a growing gender equality. That's why travel is so important - if we approach it with an open mind and heart - as it teaches you that you can walk hand in hand with those labels, but exist within and beyond the parameters of them in your own unique style and with your own beliefs and perspectives. Like Abdullah. He was our guide on a 9-mile (9 hour) hike through the ancient city of Petra (more on that wow experience coming soon!). “Don’t let my beard fool you.” he said to me as we rested in the shade with a lemon mint juice staring at the towering Monastery temple carved into the rock face. “Many people see the beard and think, “Muslim” and assume I am a certain way. But I’m not really religious or spiritual and I drink alcohol." He then went on to share (in summation), I have my beliefs, and I’m committed to them. I won’t cheat, steal, or lie, but I don’t have to be so adamant about what I believe and fight with others over them. I don’t get into religious talks with people because it’s just one person’s opinion arguing about another person’s opinion. It’s just beliefs. Neither is right or wrong. Another’s belief doesn’t have to impact my life, nor does my differing belief have to impact theirs." I'd definitely enjoy having a few beers chatting with Abdullah! Only a few days later at our resort, we all sat and watched an exotic belly dancer while the Jordanian people laughed, clapped and took photos. We were confused at how this was acceptable in a conservative Muslim country. We spoke to our Globus tour guide, Osama about it. He had been so open and honest with us throughout our trip about his life growing up as a Bedouin and sharing the Jordanian and Muslim cultures and felt comfortable he’d be okay with our questioning to understand. He went on to tell us of how it’s a personal choice and in Jordan no one judges. “It’s why you see women in hijabs taking photos and videos of the belly dancer. They themselves choose not to do it, but they have no problem with what someone else chooses to do. It’s like in Christianity, you may see some wearing a veil, but others not. You can choose. And it’s all okay.” It was refreshing and enlightening to have these conversations. We felt nervous about asking and probing. I feel nervous even about sharing this with you. But how do we truly get to know one another across what seems like great divides, if we can’t have open, curious conversations? Those that are steeped in the willingness and desire to understand and embrace rather than ridicule, judge and hate. These interactions remind me not to assume or judge, to continue to travel with an open heart and get to know the people I meet on an individual level – what lives in their heart, not what a cultural or religious stereotype will try to define for us. Abdullah was extremely knowledgeable and brought to life the ancient Nabataeans people who created what felt like a near perfect life in the ancient city of carved into the cliffs. Over 6,000 years ago they created a wealthy society that revered women, forbade prostitution and slavery, paid people what they were worth, and engineered a world that existed in harmony with mother Nature. Which had us all confused and asking, “How did we go so wrong? Why do we seem to have strayed so far backwards rather than evolving forward?” I think we need more than a 9 mile hike to figure that one out! Caroline P.S. Another amazing thing about Abduallah. He didn't have any water on our entire hike. Only a tea at the Monastery. Meanwhile, I'm guzzling about 5L a day.   Caz @ytravelblog Y Travel Media [BirdSend](  This email was sent to you ({EMAIL}) because you opted in on our website and indicated you’d like to receive emails from us. If you no longer wish to receive such emails, please [unsubscribe here](. Please add cazcraig@ytravelblog.com to your address book to make sure you receive our emails. Our postal address: 150 Wrenn Drive #1714 Cary, NC 27511 [open]