Women Wrapped

Of course coming here- everyone including myself mention Saudi women.

The dress, the inability to drive, the perceived oppression.

I will have to say Saudi culture seems really chill and relaxed to me in terms of personality.  A very quiet culture- eateries and public places are exceptionally quiet compared to the U.S. and with one exception--When Saudi's are debating opinions, are mad or frustrated, then they become really animated and remind me of aggressive yelling New Yorkers!

The woman are exceptionally close to each other and stay self segregated. At my training Friday, only one Saudi woman participant chose to sit with males. Six or so other women sat together at one table.

There are some more western dressing Saudi women in the workplace but they are more difficult to recognize because they "fit it" vs. the many of the Muslim women in the business setting who wear the long black robe-abaya with leggings down to their feet not even the ankle skin shows. They also wear the hijab head scarf. 

http://twentytwowords.com/2011/06/06/not-all-headscarves-are-burkas-7-types-of-muslim-headwear-for-women/  

But not many wear the burka with just the eyes showing. In the lobby of my “hall” or hotel I just saw a women with a black sheer scarf over her head/face and her sunglasses over that scarf.

I know this sounds odd, but the women seem accepting.  

There is a fine dust that coats everything here.  So I can really see the real practicality of wearing a scarf over your nose when you are outside.  I have the dust sniffles-myself.

Tomorrow I will take the mercedes luxury bus to the mall and buy my abaya. When I am out of the Aramco village I must wear an abyaya. I am finding the lightest fabric possible :). And on the same trip I am going to Ikea to get a soft rug for my bathroom and some color for my room. 

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