Just thought it might be useful to tell you a few facts about life out here. Many of you may know most of this but for those who don't it may help you understand my rants etc on our Blog.
- I am not allowed to drive at all! Women are not permitted to drive in Saudi. It is also hideous being a passenger as the driving leaves a great deal to be desired, you just have to grip the sides of the seat and take a deep breath.
- Whenever I leave the Compound I have to wear an Abaya (see photo on Blog). They come in one lovely shade of black and are worn on top of normal clothes, so when it is 45 degrees outside it feels pretty warm. I only have to cover my hair with a scarf if asked which hasn't happened yet - shouldn't have said that. I have an abaya with a hood so if asked to cover my hair can just whisk that up, makes me look like a monk or Darth Vada.
- During Prayer Time (5 times a day) everything stops, shops close and you generally get thrown out - sometimes you can stay in the supermarket but you cannot use the check outs. So far I have been thrown out of Costa and Starbucks during Prayer Time. It makes shopping a logistical nightmare, you have to plan very carefully whe you go. I think most locals shop at night after last Prayer, too late for me though.
- We are provided with House Staff, not good for control freaks like me. We have a House Boy, who doubles as a driver for me, and we also have a cook (really not sure how this one is going to work). It is part of life out here but I personally find it all a little strange. That said, I no longer have an ironing mountain hidden behind the sofa.
- Whenever you go out and eat or have a coffee all the places are divided into areas for men and then family areas. Obviously, I always have to sit in the family area which is usually partitioned off by frosted glass or dividers. Even in coffee shops you sit in the family area which consists of small cubicles or curtained areas.
- Our weekend is Thursday and Friday, so as you start your weekend we are getting ready to go back to school/work. The day starts much earlier, the girls start school at 07.50 (Maddy finishes at 1300 and Isy at 14.40). At the momemt we are 2 hours ahead of the UK.
- It's very hot about 43 degrees during the day at the mo, however, thankfully it is not humid. At night it is around the mid 20s so nice to sit out at night.
- Oh I nearly forgot, Alcohol is a banned substance in Saudi!
Hope this helps you understand a bit more about life out here.
- I am not allowed to drive at all! Women are not permitted to drive in Saudi. It is also hideous being a passenger as the driving leaves a great deal to be desired, you just have to grip the sides of the seat and take a deep breath.
- Whenever I leave the Compound I have to wear an Abaya (see photo on Blog). They come in one lovely shade of black and are worn on top of normal clothes, so when it is 45 degrees outside it feels pretty warm. I only have to cover my hair with a scarf if asked which hasn't happened yet - shouldn't have said that. I have an abaya with a hood so if asked to cover my hair can just whisk that up, makes me look like a monk or Darth Vada.
- During Prayer Time (5 times a day) everything stops, shops close and you generally get thrown out - sometimes you can stay in the supermarket but you cannot use the check outs. So far I have been thrown out of Costa and Starbucks during Prayer Time. It makes shopping a logistical nightmare, you have to plan very carefully whe you go. I think most locals shop at night after last Prayer, too late for me though.
- We are provided with House Staff, not good for control freaks like me. We have a House Boy, who doubles as a driver for me, and we also have a cook (really not sure how this one is going to work). It is part of life out here but I personally find it all a little strange. That said, I no longer have an ironing mountain hidden behind the sofa.
- Whenever you go out and eat or have a coffee all the places are divided into areas for men and then family areas. Obviously, I always have to sit in the family area which is usually partitioned off by frosted glass or dividers. Even in coffee shops you sit in the family area which consists of small cubicles or curtained areas.
- Our weekend is Thursday and Friday, so as you start your weekend we are getting ready to go back to school/work. The day starts much earlier, the girls start school at 07.50 (Maddy finishes at 1300 and Isy at 14.40). At the momemt we are 2 hours ahead of the UK.
- It's very hot about 43 degrees during the day at the mo, however, thankfully it is not humid. At night it is around the mid 20s so nice to sit out at night.
- Oh I nearly forgot, Alcohol is a banned substance in Saudi!
Hope this helps you understand a bit more about life out here.
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