Seminar 5

Theme
Relationships

Relationships have been sought all through the book Three Cups of Tea. We saw how Greg made relationships with many people, some rich, some illiterate and poor, and of course relationships with women. I think we all have been in a relationship and now the importance of communication. If Mortenson haven’t had kept in touch with all the people he met. He probably wouldn’t have accomplished everything he has done. We read how Mortenson’s girlfriend Marina left him, because of the fact he left to Korphe and not trying to contact her. I have been doing my service learning service at Grandview working with low income kids. In these kids you see how their parents are not involved with them or how some are very uneducated. The children definitely don’t have role models to look up to, so they behave however they want. We go there to hopefully be the role model these children need, so talking to them and building a friendship is important for them and myself to succeed.

Quotes

“Arab nations should look at your tremendous work and wallow in shame for never helping their own people. With sincere respect and admiration, I thank you.” (Mortenson 302)
In this quote we see how a Muslim born in America thanks Mortenson for all he has done. She then expressed how the Arab nations should be in shame for not helping their own people. It seems as if the communication has been lost between small towns’ leaders and the government. Throughout the book we saw how the government has done nothing to maintain a relationship with the small towns surrounding them. I agree with women that wrote this letter to Mortenson, I think it is shameful and embarrassing for someone else to do what your own government is suppose to do.

“How many women would have the strength and vision to let the father of their children work in such a dangerous place for months at a time? Letinger asks.”’ Tara not only allows it, but supports it, because she believes so strong in Greg’s mission. If that’s not heroism I don’t know what is.”’ (Mortenson 304)
This quote caught my attention because Letinger admires the relationship between Tara & Mortenson. She like many of us sees how throughout Mortensons journey Tara never tried to talk him out of doing what he wanted, and always supported him even when she knew he was in a very dangerous place. We all read how Tara and Mortenson met, though it was a one week relationship, they seem to be a happy family. I think this is because they are both supportive on what they do and because of the communication they have. Even if Mortenson didn’t call everyday, when they did talk he tried to keep her comfort and always talked with the truth, and when he could he’d bring her along.

“I will sell all my land if necessary so she can complete her education. I owe that to the memory of my father.”(Mortenson 312)
In this quote we see how Twaha’s daughter has put her education before even thinking of marriage, Something very rare because most women over there seem to be getting married in their teenage years not by choice but because of their families. However Twaha has agreed because he knew that part of Mortensons promise was held by his father. He took this a way to honor the relationship he and his father had. He knew that if his father was still alive he probably would have sold everything he had to see his granddaughter and other children have and education and succeed in life.