A thobe, for those of you who might be wondering, is easier to show a picture of than to describe. It's traditional Jordanian clothing that's kind of like...a cloak/dress-with-sleeves? I don't know. But anyway, in preparation for our upcoming swearing-in ceremony (where we'll OFFICIALLY become Peace Corps Volunteers), I decided to get a thobe tailored, which we were told was an option in lieu of wearing a fancy suit. Actually, a common look here is to wear a suit jacket over your thobe, so I think I'll do that. To top it off, I'll wear my shmagh and, inshallah, look totally Jordanian.
The tailor was awesome, and it was a neat experience to get measured up and then see the final product. It fits great! Plus, Cody (a fellow volunteer/thobe-brother) and I opted for this really silky fabric, which is wicked comfortable. We got some cool collars (sort of priest-like) and cuffs, and the thobe also has pockets--what more could you ask for from your man-dress?
I just thought I'd blog in (a phrasal verb meaning to check in via blog?) to let you all know that, yes, I do have a thobe. I'm sure this was a burning question.
 |
| Testing out the thobe... |
 |
| And, of course, a pocket shot--so cool! |
I just thought I'd blog in (a phrasal verb meaning to check in via blog?) to let you all know that, yes, I do have a thobe. I'm sure this was a burning question.
In other news, elections are right around the corner, so Madaba is full of political posters, zay hake (which means, "like this"--an essential phrase in any beginner's strategic vocabulary. In fact, today a fellow volunteer came up with this catchy adage, "zay hake it 'til you make it" to explain the gestural way I've been getting around not knowing how to say something but needing to communicate an idea)...so, yeah, political posters, zay hake:
 |
| The funny thing is: what are these people really "running for" when Jordan is still largely tribal (big extended families make the decisions for all the members) and, no matter, the king has final say on everything? |
Also, today while we were cruising around Madaba, we came upon some ruins that had only been dusted off within the last few months...WHAT?! This dude lead us into what we thought was the "Directorate of Tourism" in Madaba, and he proceeded to show us some ancient ruins and mosaics that they'd only recently fully uncovered. Nuts. Ruins and mosaics, zay hake:
 |
| The classic columns-and-mosaics look |
 |
| If there's a face of a dude with a cool beard, how can I not get a picture of it? Especially if it's a mosaic beard...it just goes to show that my former look was timeless. |
I love you all!
كمال
I see that you are still smiling with your mouth wide open in Jordan. Awesome those, you should get a white one, then tie dye it, then dance around the streets
ReplyDeleteHaha...hm...while white thobes are more common, I doubt the tie-dyed thobe would be well-received...haha. I'll keep it in mind, Stace. ;)
ReplyDeleteI think the thobe makes you look like a judge... "the honorable Judge Conor McGuire presiding" has a cool ring to it.
ReplyDeleteWho knows, maybe I have a career in law? And to think, it all started with my first thobe. Haha! They're actually really comfy! You should get one...when you come to visit in 2014! Now you have to come.
Delete