Jeddah~
I mean no offense to anyone, I am only sharing my experiences and opinions.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
-I can honestly say I love the weather. The temperature hits at least 100 degrees on a daily basis and it’s always sunny. Two days ago it was 120 degrees. Not ideal, but not complaining.
-I like the apartment. It’s classy. Not too over-done, but it kinda feels like a chic city apartment. We’re on the 3rd floor of an insurance building. The view is nice; it’s fun to pretend I’m in Manhattan at night; the whole city lights up and the view from the balcony is lovely.
-I work out. Since there pretty much isn’t anything to do here, I always make sure I get in at least one work-out a day. The gym is literally one floor down and I have 24/7 access. I always feel so confident about my body when I’m here.
-My brother. He’s one of the funniest people I know and I really miss him when I’m in NY. Love being around him, he can be so silly sometimes..just..the things he says my goodness.
-Mah cat. Love my Tiger - Tougy - Raj - Nigeria. He’s the sweetest, most patient person I know. I love taking naps together. It’s also funny when he gets back at my brother for annoying him heh ehhe.
-Ze arabs. I really miss Middle Eastern culture when I’m in NY (note: I do not miss *saudi* culture, which is very different……). I love hearing the call for prayer, I like speaking arabic, I like the humor, and I really like being so close to Egypt.
Cons:
-The Abaya. I am not a fan. I’m all for modesty and self-respect, but it really shouldn’t be up to the country to dictate what I can and can’t wear. The abaya is imposed on all women in Saudi Arabia- Muslim or not.
- Most people here are raised with the concept of complete separation between males and females. Personally, I don’t think complete separation is healthy for regular mental development. For example: I was walking in the street last night with my mom (with our hair uncovered) and a car in the parking lot behind us drove up to us and began yelling prices like we were for sale. The men here are completely deprived of female interaction and dare I suggest that these restrictions have led to unethical, un-islamic behavior.
- All stores close everyday five times a day for each of the daily prayers. For people who have been brought up here, I’m sure it’s no big deal, but for most people I’d say it’s a bit inconvenient. When the adhan calls, most stores either 1) refuse to make any monetary transactions or 2) ask you to leave the store while they close for prayer. It would be one thing if this was at all systematic- but it’s not. Each store closes for a different amount of time and most stores do not have any accommodations for the consumers they’ve kicked out. We waited 45 mins last night for Maghrib and about an hour for Isha.
Whew. Done.