Blogging from... OIL LAND!
Yes...
It is true. I am finally blogging again, and decided to mark the event by coming to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Or was it the other way around?!
Anyway.. doesnt matter. What is cool is that I type these words from my hotel room, overlooking the Red Sea, while wearing my abaya (how can I explain what it is in a simple way?.. not easy.. but lets just says its a kind of black dress/cover you wear on the top of your clothes, in order to remain shapeless and thus less attractive to men).
What can I say... after 3 years in the Middle East, I have finally made it to KSA. I know it sounds weird and awkward.. but have always felt attracted to whatever is different and complicated (no.. not talking about my love life here!)...
So, I boarded Emirates Airlines flight to Jeddah all geared up with my nice presentation about Sustainability and Green Buildings and two abayas, and here I am now.
I have to admit it was kind of strange... Definitely felt out of my comfort zone... It all started right at the Airport as I walked in to the toilets close to my gate. Suddenly all the women inside were covering up and getting ready to be "transported into another reality - literally". I followed suit as I didnt want to be disrespectful...
Took the abaya out of my Gucci bag (yes.. designer bags go hand in hand with abayas as you must have heard already) and put it on. Wow. That was strange.. but then again, one also has to look out for the advantages of things you normally consider "negative" and the fact is that.. it just felt natural to be wearing it and black does suit me, anyway. I suddenly felt part of the "group"...
I hesitated for a couple of seconds about also veiling my hair but then decided not to.. it was a bit risky, but it seemed to me there were other women unveiled too and, besides, I could always do it right before leaving the plane.
And, before I even noticed we were already landing in Jeddah.
Suddenly I actually started to feel nervous... I had managed to play it cool for the entire flight, without even thinking about it at all. But now, there was no turning back.
And suddenly all these random concerns started flowing into my head:
- And what if they dont let me in?
- And what if my veil falls down from my head - At this time I had already use the plane's toilet in order to veil my hair. But, obviously, it itsnt a natural move for me, so I was pretty sure I had done it all wrong and that it would slip anytime. On top of that I was pretty sure it would slip exactly at the moment I would be crossing Customs Security or the Police...
- And what if my abaya is too short - Another issue. Since I am a bit tall it was almost impossible to find something that would fit my height or my long harms... For a moment or two I could swear everyone was looking at my uncovered wrists. I was definitely gonna be sentenced to life and never return back. But why or why?
- What it I collapse due to not breathing? - I was so scared of loosing my veil that I hat tightened it up way too much around my neck.. I was barely breathing and barely moving my head, just trying to avoid the unavoidable.
- And what if they lock me up because I am travelling with a male colleague and not my father/brother nor my husband?
- And what about my makeup? I remembered not to put it on, but I think there is still a bit left of mascara from last night (dam those water resistant mascaras)...
All completely unnecessary worrying. All went just fine. No one said anything when my veil did slip out of my head (!!!) nor they questioned my short abaya and provocative eyelashes.
There were some problems with emigration which could have turned into a big problem and me actually getting deported back but it was all swiftly taken cared of within 30-45min. Basically someone from my company called someone who knew someone who (luckily) was at the airport at the same time who called someone else who then came and delivered a mobile phone to the Emigration police officer so they could then talk to someone else. By the end of it, all solved, and I could officially walk into the country. No big deal they said. I smiled and walked away with my triumphal walk, my cute eyelashes and Karama abaya. Sweet.
Anyways, already at the hotel now.. Which is this beautifully, huge, brand new hotel facing the Red Sea.. In the picture you can see the view from my room.
It is true. I am finally blogging again, and decided to mark the event by coming to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Or was it the other way around?!
Anyway.. doesnt matter. What is cool is that I type these words from my hotel room, overlooking the Red Sea, while wearing my abaya (how can I explain what it is in a simple way?.. not easy.. but lets just says its a kind of black dress/cover you wear on the top of your clothes, in order to remain shapeless and thus less attractive to men).
What can I say... after 3 years in the Middle East, I have finally made it to KSA. I know it sounds weird and awkward.. but have always felt attracted to whatever is different and complicated (no.. not talking about my love life here!)...
So, I boarded Emirates Airlines flight to Jeddah all geared up with my nice presentation about Sustainability and Green Buildings and two abayas, and here I am now.
I have to admit it was kind of strange... Definitely felt out of my comfort zone... It all started right at the Airport as I walked in to the toilets close to my gate. Suddenly all the women inside were covering up and getting ready to be "transported into another reality - literally". I followed suit as I didnt want to be disrespectful...
Took the abaya out of my Gucci bag (yes.. designer bags go hand in hand with abayas as you must have heard already) and put it on. Wow. That was strange.. but then again, one also has to look out for the advantages of things you normally consider "negative" and the fact is that.. it just felt natural to be wearing it and black does suit me, anyway. I suddenly felt part of the "group"...
I hesitated for a couple of seconds about also veiling my hair but then decided not to.. it was a bit risky, but it seemed to me there were other women unveiled too and, besides, I could always do it right before leaving the plane.
And, before I even noticed we were already landing in Jeddah.
Suddenly I actually started to feel nervous... I had managed to play it cool for the entire flight, without even thinking about it at all. But now, there was no turning back.
And suddenly all these random concerns started flowing into my head:
- And what if they dont let me in?
- And what if my veil falls down from my head - At this time I had already use the plane's toilet in order to veil my hair. But, obviously, it itsnt a natural move for me, so I was pretty sure I had done it all wrong and that it would slip anytime. On top of that I was pretty sure it would slip exactly at the moment I would be crossing Customs Security or the Police...
- And what if my abaya is too short - Another issue. Since I am a bit tall it was almost impossible to find something that would fit my height or my long harms... For a moment or two I could swear everyone was looking at my uncovered wrists. I was definitely gonna be sentenced to life and never return back. But why or why?
- What it I collapse due to not breathing? - I was so scared of loosing my veil that I hat tightened it up way too much around my neck.. I was barely breathing and barely moving my head, just trying to avoid the unavoidable.
- And what if they lock me up because I am travelling with a male colleague and not my father/brother nor my husband?
- And what about my makeup? I remembered not to put it on, but I think there is still a bit left of mascara from last night (dam those water resistant mascaras)...
All completely unnecessary worrying. All went just fine. No one said anything when my veil did slip out of my head (!!!) nor they questioned my short abaya and provocative eyelashes.
There were some problems with emigration which could have turned into a big problem and me actually getting deported back but it was all swiftly taken cared of within 30-45min. Basically someone from my company called someone who knew someone who (luckily) was at the airport at the same time who called someone else who then came and delivered a mobile phone to the Emigration police officer so they could then talk to someone else. By the end of it, all solved, and I could officially walk into the country. No big deal they said. I smiled and walked away with my triumphal walk, my cute eyelashes and Karama abaya. Sweet.
Anyways, already at the hotel now.. Which is this beautifully, huge, brand new hotel facing the Red Sea.. In the picture you can see the view from my room.
I will stay in tomorrow due to my big presentation but hopefully I will be able to explore the city further before we go to the airport the following day.
posted by Ana Elisa @ 10:09 PM
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