cultures

As most of you know, I have been living in Saudi Arabia for the past 14 months.  It has been a crazy year and I have tried to share as much as it as I can with you all, but sometimes things go undocumented.  It is usually the unique cultural experiences that I cannot capture in photos.  I am always wary to bust out by big camera in this country as modesty and conservatism are the foundations of this society.  As I am a guest here, I want to respect the local culture even if it often feels completely foreign to anything I understand and perhaps agree with.  This is what sets travelers apart.  Those that recognize that every place is different and has different rules, and those that try to superimpose their preconceived notions of right and wrong on people and cultures that they don't understand.  Of course, one should not try to convince oneself that human rights should be violated or that oppressive regimes should be tolerated.  But, when you view people and how they live day to day and how they interact with each other and what God they pray to and what clothes they wear and food they eat, I think you should be respectful.  Do not tell them they are wrong, do not try to disrobe them, do not turn your nose up at their food, because who are you to say what is right and wrong?

I was lucky enough to have a truly unique Saudi experience this weekend.  AND I was able to capture it on my little point-and-shoot.  One of my friends and her husband took me to the Old City of Jeddah,  Al Balad.  I had been here briefly before, but going with Saudis allowed me to more fully explore the sights and smells and tastes of this 400 year old neighborhood.  Full of spices and meats and veggies and fruits and clothes and shoes and everything in between, it is impossible to take it all in as you stroll across the centuries old cobblestones.  The frankincense is tucked in between the barbies and hair dryers, the old men sell ancient stick toothbrushes next to the woman selling tupperware, frilly dresses line the shop in a building that has been standing longer than my country has been a country.  The people are equally as colorful.  There are Filipino workers, and Ethiopian immigrants, and Moroccans and Sudanese and Somalians, and one little girl from Indiana.  It is an amazing place this Al Balad. 

CAMEL

What a day yesterday was!  Sea, sun, waves, lost divers, jumping off boats, and CAMELS!  These creatures are soo weird.  They are HUGE and smelly and sit all funny-like.  I have still yet to ride one, but I see it in my future.

Have a super rest of your week.  Inshallah, over my weekend I will update you on more stories!

staycation

Eid Mubarak!  Eid al-Adha begins on November 6th so this weekend is the start of a week long holiday.  While most of campus is already on a plane to some distant locale, I have decided to have a staycation.  I am thoroughly excited to catch upon some work, go to the pool and the beach, finally get that basket of laundry folded, and hang out with the few people that have stuck around for the holiday.

I am sorry I have been a slacker on the blog lately, Inshallah over Eid I will finally get my camera charged and catch up on some untold stories.

Have a super end to the week!

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat was really amazing.  This house of Islam can hold up to 20,000 people between its male and female prayer rooms.  Despite having to wear abaya, getting a tour of this mosque was really great.  All of us were lacking in knowledge of Islam- up to this point we had read some of the Quran and had talked to Arab friends about the religion, but our tour guide showed us how Muslims pray and what to do in the mosque.  We also left the mosque with loads of free books (information on women in Islam, why they don't eat pork, etc) from the Mosque Education Director who sat us down in his study to specifically tell us about his religion.  While I don't think I'll be converting anytime soon, the grandeur of the prayer rooms (though the women's was more drab) and the friendly staff did make a good case!

check out more photos here

the souq

Visiting the Souq was one of my favorite parts of our trip.  All of the foreign sights, smells, and tastes seem to stimulate every part of the body.  From the plump ripe dates, to the frankincense, to the very old (and young) shopkeepers, there is constantly something to entice the eye.

More photos of the trip have been added here

Not a Caged Bird

If I can't go outside during the day, I will go out at night... I think it is prettiest then anyways.

dad

My dad endured the 24+ hour trip from middle America to the Middle East. I am so glad that I got to show him a little bit of my life here. We ate the traditional Arabic mezza and we enjoyed playing in the Red Sea and snorkeling in the world's most pristine reefs. We selected freshly caught hammour, nagil, parrotfish, and shrimp to be prepared for our dinner for six- two Hoosiers, one Mexican, one Norwegian, one German, and one Canadian. We visited the Souk and found the Middle East's version of Walmart. We played in the sun and had the long discussions that only a father and daughter can have. I feel so blessed to have a dad that has supported me in all of my crazy life decisions. I am loving my job, friends, and life here in the Middle East, but I do miss my family and friends back at home just as intensely. Some people chose never to leave their hometown, some people choose travel the world. I think no matter which path you choose, sacrifices have to be made along the way and I guess the trick is sorting out if the sacrifices are worth it.

Thank you family and friends for supporting me. Even if I can't be with you know that my love is the same.

home

While I had a great time in Germany it feels good to be back at home. I think it doesn't matter really where or what you call home, it is just comforting to be back in your own personal space after you have been away from it for a while. This space that supports your day to day routine, where you cook, and sleep, relax, and entertain. Its good to be home.