Oh - Hello Readers

Yes, I've been busy and tired and feeling a bit under the weather and oh did I say tired - yes (sigh) tired.

Hmmm, what have I been up to? Oh yeah, I was in Saudi last week. That went well. I really enjoyed it. Everyone was super nice. I had to wear an abaya (it's compulsory for all women). So, unlike here where the only women wearing black abayas and shaylas are the locals, in Saudi all women wear an abaya (the black gown). But you're not required to wear a shayla (head covering). I had dinner a couple of nights with folks from the office. Most of the wives of the men are non-Muslim or from Muslim countries where women don't cover their heads. So, during dinner, there were several of the women wearing an abaya (like me) without their heads covered. There were also some Saudi couples and women from work. Very cool ladies. Surprisingly, strong willed and fun. I guess that shows you what stereotypes will do - I was expecting the women to be quiet and withdrawn. Ummm - No. One of the nights we were at a Shisha cafe (shisha = hookah) and the women were smoking and enjoying the shisha along with everyone else. So, socially when you meet folks there it seems more outgoing and friendly than here.

But legally, they are still in the dark ages when it comes to women there. When you talk to people, they know it. Many people in Saudi go to University outside of the country (including the women). So, they know what it's like to live outside of this system, but they are patiently waiting for the government to change (hmmmm, this sounds too familiar). There are hints that they are about to allow women to drive (geez - hard to believe they're still debating that). The thought is that they will first allow women to drive during the daytime (some folks are afraid that women will be followed and harrassed in their cars). A couple of years ago, they used to have religious police. But they are now gone (supposedly). That doesn't prevent zealots from going around reporting people to the police and causing trouble (and this is what makes it into the newspapers around the world). And for me to get there was a huge challenge. We applied for my visa 4 times before it was successfully granted. For our company, I was the first woman EVER to visit Saudi Arabia. Add to that, I was unescorted (by male collegues) and it was pretty difficult to get permission.

So, now I'm back. I do have some photos, but they're on the camera and I'm too tired to go get it. I did mention I was tired, right?