On Friday we all had breakfast in the hotel lobby at 10am because it was a game day. We had our first match of the tournament against Jordan. I really didn't know what to expect the volleyball to be like when I got into the gym, but it was very different compared to college..to say the least. We met in room 110 to hang out a bit before heading to the match. Gosh that was so fun! It was just us girls sitting around talking...well besides me..but actually I was talking if you count asking questions as talking! I asked them about boys of course, a little more about the Islam religion and what they like to do for fun here. Basic stuff, but those subjects definitely got them talking. They gave me a drink to try called Karak, which is their chai tea with hot milk...it was SO good! They told me they like to drink it before games, so I said okay! Before we left the hotel to head towards the game, Haya asked me if I had shorts and she pointed toward her knees, so I assumed that meant NOT spandex or nike shorts. Luckily, I brought my pair of knee length black nike dry fit work out pants. This was quite the outfit, let me tell you. That paired with my white knee pads, white shoes, and huge jersey. I was stylin'. Thank goodness I could snag the #8 at least.
We beat Jordan 3-0! Wow was that a good and interesting first match playing for a different country. We had cheers that I slowly learned, and everything. These matches are televised, because here the tournament is such a big deal, so there were TV timeouts and normal timeouts. AKA a lot of timeouts for me to stand there and be really confused as to what Captin Hanan was telling us (our coach). All part of the experience! We are supposed to put our right hands in the middle, Sam says "1, 2, 3" in english for me and then we say "AJMAN!" (our team). Pretty pretty awesome. On the other team there was a girl speaking english, I could tell she was from either Canada or America, so of course I went right up to her after the match and we both simultaneously asked each other where we were from. Wow! Someone that I don't have to talk slow like a robot to..incredible. We end up talking for a while, and I find out she is living in Jordan getting her PHD in Political Science and is from California. She said "wow, so you are getting paid??" I said, "yep..but it's been much more than that! that's only a bonus." It was just refreshing to talk to an American, we are hoping to get together before they leave to go back to Jordan after the tournament.
One of the many observations that I want to express into words, is that these Arab women, about 95% of them wear their head dresses and their whole body is still covered even if they are playing volleyball. (per the picture above). Wow, can you say warm?!? It was hard for me to get used to, because when we have training, they don't have to be all covered up because it is just women in the gym, so when they are in game apparel it is very different! Again, very eye opening for me. Also, there is no set defense (for you volleyball players out there, we know how important having a perimeter/rotation or just a set defense is!) Yeah, confusing. I was all over the place trying to defend the ball, especially because I am not sure these girls are used to digging hard balls. During the match, I try my best to cheer and to encourage if we make a mistake, but of course it is all in english and I am not sure they understand. But lately they have understood me when I say "swing!" or "get up!" The girls are loving it; they routinely make fun of me saying those things, but said they love when I talk, so I will keep doing it!
After the match, we gave all of our fans hand shakes and say thank you (must be tradition). Our fans consist of the girls' friends and other mostly women who just like to watch. Sidenote: speaking of hand shakes, that is what you do here. They either give hugs, or you shake hands with people who you see for the first time that day..especially your superiors like coaches or managers. So when I see any of the girls in the morning I give them a low five/hand shake..not very formal, kind of more relaxed like saying "what's up!" I really like it and have gotten used to it, it just makes everything that much more family like and respectful. I think I might try and start that tradition with my friends..we will see how it goes :)
Here I am with Fatma, the all star on my team, also my new best friend!
She is an amazing woman! Also..check out my outfit..can't get any better :)
We beat Jordan 3-0! Wow was that a good and interesting first match playing for a different country. We had cheers that I slowly learned, and everything. These matches are televised, because here the tournament is such a big deal, so there were TV timeouts and normal timeouts. AKA a lot of timeouts for me to stand there and be really confused as to what Captin Hanan was telling us (our coach). All part of the experience! We are supposed to put our right hands in the middle, Sam says "1, 2, 3" in english for me and then we say "AJMAN!" (our team). Pretty pretty awesome. On the other team there was a girl speaking english, I could tell she was from either Canada or America, so of course I went right up to her after the match and we both simultaneously asked each other where we were from. Wow! Someone that I don't have to talk slow like a robot to..incredible. We end up talking for a while, and I find out she is living in Jordan getting her PHD in Political Science and is from California. She said "wow, so you are getting paid??" I said, "yep..but it's been much more than that! that's only a bonus." It was just refreshing to talk to an American, we are hoping to get together before they leave to go back to Jordan after the tournament.
One of the many observations that I want to express into words, is that these Arab women, about 95% of them wear their head dresses and their whole body is still covered even if they are playing volleyball. (per the picture above). Wow, can you say warm?!? It was hard for me to get used to, because when we have training, they don't have to be all covered up because it is just women in the gym, so when they are in game apparel it is very different! Again, very eye opening for me. Also, there is no set defense (for you volleyball players out there, we know how important having a perimeter/rotation or just a set defense is!) Yeah, confusing. I was all over the place trying to defend the ball, especially because I am not sure these girls are used to digging hard balls. During the match, I try my best to cheer and to encourage if we make a mistake, but of course it is all in english and I am not sure they understand. But lately they have understood me when I say "swing!" or "get up!" The girls are loving it; they routinely make fun of me saying those things, but said they love when I talk, so I will keep doing it!
After the match, we gave all of our fans hand shakes and say thank you (must be tradition). Our fans consist of the girls' friends and other mostly women who just like to watch. Sidenote: speaking of hand shakes, that is what you do here. They either give hugs, or you shake hands with people who you see for the first time that day..especially your superiors like coaches or managers. So when I see any of the girls in the morning I give them a low five/hand shake..not very formal, kind of more relaxed like saying "what's up!" I really like it and have gotten used to it, it just makes everything that much more family like and respectful. I think I might try and start that tradition with my friends..we will see how it goes :)
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