Well, it has been interesting several days. This conference has been pretty intense, and at first, pretty overwhelming. Sitting for the first, very long, day, discussing the massive disruption of lives, hearing first-hand stories of people who were tortured, children who had guns put to their heads, who witnessed atrocities that no human being should ever experience. It was so intense that I couldn’t/can’t write about it until I process it a bit. The first thing I started writing got deleted-it really only served to vent some of my own horror and feelings of helplessness. Good thing that George was home when I called in a panic and helped me re-ground. Yesterday I did my own presentation (which, frankly was a significant contributor to my stress! Come on…my first International conference presentation!!).

Anyway, my presentation was on how trauma impacts teens and then there was a group discussion on intervention. Funny, but when it was over -and it went well…), I could relax and have fun- and I did! This conference is facilitated by a wonderful group of University students, and last night they arranged for a group of us to go to a local venue for music. The fee-really reasonable-was entry, an entire evening of music by a local study who is also a friend of theirs, and a choice of either a drink or a hookah! I chose the drink (soft drink- no alcohol!), and we all had a wonderful time. Slept well last nite!

Two other people and hope to do some sightseeing tomorrow-if we can pull it off, we’re going to try to get to Petra (you’re on your computer-Google it!) If it works out, the picture will be posted.

Update: leave at 6am for Petra and the Dead Sea!! Pictures for sure!

Wow-today has been great! Spent the day with some of the trainees from our first class and the staff of SAMS- the Syrian American Medical Services- these incredibly dedicated men and women are providing support for the Syrian refugees- and doing so while carrying their own grief, as many of them themselves are Syrian and are re-weaving their own life’s story. It was an honor to spend time with them, and I love, love, love talking about helping people! We return tomorrow to spend more time with them, and then our last day before the conference begins we will spend the day in the actual clinic. That should be interesting-the population they serve is seriously stressed-as I listen to them, I try to make connections with points of reference from my own life. That’s how I work in therapy, too, and it helps me conceptualize the story as well as the direction of my work. Well, as they talked, very matter-of-factly, about the conflict, leaving their homes, their lives, physical injury and torture survivors, it was almost surreal. There were some parallels I could draw: rioting and aggression, personal losses, life plans going totally off track and giving up on dreams, losing cherished items….even being fearful for my life….but not all at once. The sheer magnitude of their experiences at a single point in time….

Amman itself is a fascinating city- OLD, and, as in many OLD cities, the mix of old and bright-shiny-new comes as a visual treat. Lots and lots of construction going on…When we were on our way to the mall, we drove past what looked like an enormous quarry- right in the middle of town! And the traffic is amazing- street “lanes” seem to be more of a suggestion, and crossing the street is a wild adventure! We’ve been taking taxis to and from-today I at with my eyes closed, going around one of those”roundabouts” my Wisconsin family is so find of….all I can say is they’re not my favorite thing!

The people are warm and welcoming, and very willing to help. The food has been oh-so-good, and today one of the people we meet with brought in homemade cookies stuffed with dates…yummy! Yes, I’m so glad I came, and so glad that my husband didn’t hesitate to support mewhen we first talked about it!

Got into my room about 5 am and after a couple hours’nap, I’m ready to face the world! I’m thinking I’d better make the most of it, cause I’m likely to crash and burn early this evening…
First-hours get money and then an international cell phone so I’m available/and can reach my backup here if I need to…
Palm trees…riding in from the airport-Palm trees were the thing I noticed most. Not like the cheesy ones the city imported every year to let slowly die outside the baseball stadium, but real honest-to-good Palm trees, happy as crickets and lining the road. Where I’m used to oaks and maples—Palm trees!!

Well, flight was good- seats comfy and my seat mate was genial. However, the leg room was less than desirable and I left my new and spiffy pillow  at home so had to make do with the one the airline gave out. So, sleep was interesting and punctuated by urgent MOVE messages from the knee mashed against the seat in the row ahead of me. But I did get some, and expect to sleep on the next leg, which should get us into Amman at 3am…..bleh!
We’ve been here for a couple hours- long enough to eat, walk around, and be totally charmed and overwhelmed by the sheer sound! Lots and lots of people, all speaking in their own languages, and all at the same time. It’s auditory chaos! 😉

Well, I leave in two days…I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Plan right now is to pack and do my dithering tomorrow, then head for O’Hare on Thursday…