Your memories / impressions of Saudi Arabia
By bon_jing
@bon_jing (88)
Philippines
April 30, 2007 2:25am CST
During the early 90's I have lived and worked in Saudi Arabia as an Architect-Engineer.
My first impression was that it was a monochromatic view of the place. The buildings were all brown. The men were all white. The women were all black.
It was entirely a different culture to that I've grown up with. The food was an exciting adventure. Discovering how two pieces of Shawarma can be Lunch. The servings were VERYYY generous. I couldn't even consume the half-chicken with rice (it was called Kabsa). Or in a feast, you'd see this "inihaw na tupa" on top of a mountain of yellow rice. Very tasty. Everything was fresh. From the veggies to the fruits, the milk, the juices. The oven-baked lamb chops. The freshly baked bread.
The respectful greeting of "salaam" to every one you meet. The sandstorms. The expanse of sand. On winter, it was cold but no snow (I lived in Riyadh). How cheap gas was. The long, lonnnnggggg highways.
Exotic cars. Lambos, Ferraris, Porche, Lincolns, Mercedes Benz, Lexus, Hummers, Hummers on Tracks, Suburbans......
It was a memory for my memoirs.....
2 responses
@eashoor (307)
• Canada
24 Jun 07
Bon_Jing
I am a Saudi woman who lived in riyadh saudi Arabia untill 2003. I currently live in Canada.
I have stated this in previous posts but my impression of saudi is sadly filled with hate and content. As women we have little to zero rights.
I have been subjected to multiple abusive assaultive situations with confrontations involving the notorious religous police (MUTTAWWA) of saudi. If you have lived there I am sure You have had the pleasure of running into them at least once.
In the Era of 2000 saudi has become infested with HIGH END shopping malls filled with brand name stores like saks fifth Avenue and D&G ...etc. It is a shopping haven but continues to be terrorized by the religious police who invade these shops 5 times a day around prayer times. They still have rights beyond all rights and have the power to abuse and destroy.
I left saudi after being in jail for 2 months and sentensed to 80 lashes in public for being in the presence of a man who was not my husband or relative as he dropped me home from his car after a bad night shift at the hospital, he was my friend and he was engaged.the religious police didnt see it that way however.
Saudi remain a country of too much oil and power that represents ISLAM in the worst possible way. Other powerful contried who depend on the Saudi oil turn a blind eye to their practices and radicalism by choice.
These are my memories of Saudi...
Confessions of a soon to be x-saudi woman.
@bon_jing (88)
• Philippines
25 Jun 07
Eashoor,
I am sorry to hear that you don't have pleasant memories of Saudi. Yes, I know what and how Saudi Women go through in your country. In fact, I read the book "Princess" after my stint in your Country. I thought what I heard there were rumors or urban legends, but after reading the book, I realized it was all true.
Yes, I also had my fair share of experiences with the MUTTAWA. We call them "bullies". But, we just have to live through it.
But as we (Filipinos) always say, "The Lord is Good. He has a way of balancing things". See, now you are smiling and happy.
I Wish you the best of what the world has to offer.
@otobits (97)
• Philippines
23 Apr 09
my first impression before i come to Arabia is that they are very strict when the prayer time is start. then i learned that they really strict for the Muslim only. Other thing is that about talking to women they are very sensitive to this rule, especially in central region. expensive cars you can see them parking on the side street.
