Day Two in Saudi Arabia : Land of Beauty and Intrigue

Last night was a late one. I finally fell asleep around 5:30 a.m. and woke up around 10:30 a.m. I missed breakfast, but I needed the sleep more than the food. Most educational trips are very busy with little time to rest and gather yourself. When arriving at a far-off destination it takes time to adjust to the jetlag and the time difference. Today turned out to be a very unique situation because of one very distinct cultural difference--religion. Saudi Arabia runs on the Islamic (Hijrah) calendar following the dates of the Prophet Muhammed's emigration from Mecca to Medina in the western portion of Sauid Arabia. This is different from the calendar we follow in the United States. In the United States the typical work week is from Monday thru Friday. In Saudi Arabia the typical work week is Saturday thru Wednesday. Thursday is equivalent to our Saturday, while Friday is similar to our Sunday. This calendar may be changing in the future so they match with more countries around the world. They may change the calendar so that the typical work week is from Sunday to Thursday. Friday will probably not ever change, but Thursay would be shifted to Saturday. This is important because it will give them one more day to do business with the rest of the world. It is hard to do business if everyone else is not working and the banks are closed. I am not sure of the timeline for this change, but I do believe talks have begun. Considering today was equivalent to our Sunday, many businesses were closed and we were limited in our options. We ended up leaving for another Armco compound named Ras Tanura. It is interesting going to these compounds because it is a mix of different people, but I am sure it is not completely reflective of the true Saudi Arabia. I suppose I will find out as the trip goes on and we travel to different cities. Ras Tanura was very beautiful considering it was on the Persian Gulf, also known as the Arabian Gulf to Arab countries. We able to enjoy the beautiful weather, beach, and water. This was great, but it was the cultural differences that continued to stick out. This is my first real day in which I was able to observe the Saudi culture and these are just my thoughts. Hopefully, as the trip goes on, I will be able to gain a deeper understanding. I am sure I will find that their culture is not perfect, but I am sure if we were to examine our own culture we would find many imperfections. Here is what I observed today.

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Saudi_Arabia_Day_2

1. Saudi Arabia is governed by the Islamic religion. They do not separate religion from government, but instead they use it to run the country. Unlike the United States, the Islamic religion dominates the country. This has huge implications for the countries laws and people's roles in the society.

2. Saudi women have expectations that are much different from U.S. women due to religion. I am not saying this is wrong, but it is completly opposite of most people in the U.S. I am trying to understand it, but it is very difficult. As we walked around the beach we were able to get our first glimpse of the women wearing there Abaya, Hijab, and Burqa. Each women covers themselves to a different degree, but many seemed to cover their entire face except for their eyes. It is my understanding that we are not to look or take pictures of them without permission. It seems it is especially taboo for men to talk to women. In fact, I would never go up to a women and start a conversation. If I were a women it would be okay, but I would still need to get permission to take a picture. I have been told that the women cover up to save themselves for their husband. They do not like to get there pictures taken because they feel it is important to be modest. I feel very disconnected from the women in this society because I feel I may break the "rules." Women cannot drive in Saudi Arabia so they have drivers. I am not sure if they all have drivers, but I am sure that the well-to-do families do. Again, it will be my job to try to give more definative answers, but I am not sure I will completely undertand it ever because I have grown up with such different expectations.

3. Many men wear their igal, gutra, and thobe, but I do not think the expectation is as high. Men seem to have more say in what is done, but I am not completly sure. I am curious to know if women really run the show in the household or if they are submissive. Our tour guide has told us that "women are treated like princesses. They get a rider and men worship the ground they walk on. Whenever they want a new dress for a wedding they get it and it is very expensive." This may be true of the well-to-do families, but I cannot see this working as much with the poor. Again, hopefuly time will fill in the gaps and I am able to report them to you. I am trying not to make judgements, but rather report what I see throughout the trip.

4. I carefully took the pictures of the women. I tried to keep my distance to make sure I respected them and did not get into trouble. It is very difficult to see them cover up their face, but it is not threatening in any way. It is very mysterious and intriguing which makes it even more difficult not to look at them. I will not get used to this custom in the short time we are staying here. Please do not gain a sense of fear from seeing them dressed in such a way.

5. Saudi people are convinced that the United States hates them. Saudi people seem to understand that there are many nice people in the United States, but the government has completely isolated the Saudi people according to there looks. Before I left, I would say that many people gave the impression that Saudi Arabia is very dangerous. I have not seen this side of Saudi. Person to person they have been very accomodating.

I am curious about your thoughts. Do you think the U.S. government treats Saudis unfairly? Are there any stories in the news that may show unfair treatment? Does fear justify our actions?

Please share your comments and links.

Until next time.