Against my parents' wishes, I
briefly considered applying to schools in Saudi Arabia. What can I say? The forbidden fruit intrigued me. Actually, Saudi Aramco offered $45,000- 112,000 good reasons to be intrigued. What wouldn't I do for $112,000? Well, lots of things. Okay. Anyway, emphasis on
briefly considered...as in five minutes of consideration. It took me about that time to skim some expat blogs about being a woman in Saudi. It's not for the faint-of-heart. Not for an independent woman. And certainly not for this daddy's princess. The extent of the lack of freedoms for women- particularly a SINGLE woman- was not lost on me. Guess I'm not that kind of adventurous yet.
- Mobility: I could hardly ever leave the expat compound.
- Clothing: If I left the compound, I would have to wear a black abaya- that head to toe black burqa-like garment that women wear.
- Modesty: Even then, the modesty police might try to arrest me or flog me if I weren't wearing a head scarf over the abaya.
- Driving: As a woman, I am not allowed to drive. Ever. I am permitted to take a taxi designated for female use, but there aren't many of those.
- Groceries: I would have a hard time even going to grocery store. I am supposed to be accompanied by my husband, Mr. Nobody.
- Visitors: Non-muslims are generally not permitted into S.A. unless "invited" by the government. Check out the S.A. government tourism website.
- Restaurants: I could never go eat without my "husband". The only single women that frequent restaurants are hookers and they are promptly arrested.
- Banks have separate branches for men and women.
- Hotels: Single women must have written permission to check into a hotel.
- Museums: separate hours for families, men, and (rarely) women.
- Shopping malls: Wednesday-Friday women are generally permitted to mall-shop.
- Photography: Strict Wahhabi belief prohibits making images of any living creature. Are you kidding?!
- I could do without the alcohol, porn, and pork contraband. But, no Bibles? And no Christmas trees?
Against my parents' wishes, I briefly considered applying to schools in Saudi Arabia. What can I say? The forbidden fruit intrigued me. Actually, Saudi Aramco offered $45,000- 112,000 good reasons to be intrigued. What wouldn't I do for $112,000? Well, lots of things. Okay. Anyway, emphasis on briefly considered...as in five minutes of consideration. It took me about that time to skim some expat blogs about being a woman in Saudi. It's not for the faint-of-heart. Not for an independent woman. And certainly not for this daddy's princess. The extent of the lack of freedoms for women- particularly a SINGLE woman- was not lost on me. Guess I'm not that kind of adventurous yet.
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2 comments:
Wow, their culture is unbelievable. I once read a book called "Princess" which talks about the lives of the Saudi women, and it breaks your heart! Definitely makes me thankful that God put me in America!
but you wouldn't have to worry about what to wear.... let's see... which burka should i wear today??
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