Disco Dancing in Amman

Thursday night was the night before the wedding, and everyone gathered for a party at Lana's home - a friend of Salma's, who works with the Bedouins in an effort to preserve and promote their culture. This evening was particularly special, because this was the night that everyone from school had finally arrived from near and far, to celebrate Salma and Basel. Khaled had arrived from Palestine, Sergey had arrived from Russia... it was a wonderful reunion.

We were sad to learn that Sepideh from Iran, and Aminu from Nigeria were unable to come, as they were not able to obtain visas from their countries to come to Jordan. We were all thinking of them, and talking about them all night long though...

Walking in to the party was like walking into a dream. We were led through her palatial home, into the back terrace. There were round tables with chairs all throughout the garden, sheltered by arbors dripping with vines and flowers. In the middle of the terrace was a white, frosted glass dancefloor, which was lit from underneath. To the side of the dancefloor were several clusters of white couches, placed around low tables. I realized that the white, frosted glass floor was actually a series of panes which were laid over a wooden lattice frame, over a very large pool... it was quite dramatic to realize that we dancing and sitting over water...

Arabic dance music was playing throughout the evening, encouraging the nearly 100 guests to sway and bellydance. Dancing here reminds me of Greek dancing (thinking of you Dimitri!), as people form a circle around a dancer, clap their hands, and hit the floor, while the dancer twirls and weaves back and forth.

Salma and Basel were actually married in a small, private ceremony this evening, and for the first time, we saw them being physically affectionate with each other. Both of them were beaming throughout the whole evening.

Around 10:30pm, dinner was announced, so we climbed the small, stone steps to the second terrace, where there was a 50-foot-long buffet presenting hundreds of traditional Iranian dishes, served in oversized inscribed and carved silver bowls. Grains, vegetables, sauces, shwarma sliced from a spit, salads... things I recognized, things I didn't... taking a small spoonful of only half the dishes would leave you with an overflowing plate.

At about midnight, there was a smattering English-language songs, and all of the KSGers swarmed on to the dancefloor, leaving all inhibition behind, dancing, jumping, shaking and reviving a comraderie that had been deeply established from 2004-2005. I saw some of the older guests watching us with intrigued curiosity, but the night just went on and on...