Stephanie Desmuelles
November 17, 1995 aboard Concordia
Cross-Cultural Impressions, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has a religious culture incredibly different from anything I’ve ever seen. I remember the first thing I saw of Saudi Arabia:customs and immigration. While we went through customs, soldiers looked meanly at us while holding on to their rifles. They looked very intimidating with their immaculate white dress and their white and red head scarves. All in all, this first sight of Saudi Arabia was rather scary.
Everything changed when I met the women at the bowling center. I saw another world through their eyes. A world of restrictive religious laws, but also a world of pride, generosity, and kindness. Still, it seemed unreal - the women wearing a black 'abaya' in public (a head to toe covering) so that they would not attract men's sight, and not expressing themselves because they have almost no civil rights. But as soon as we were all by ourselves, with no men around us, they became very thoughtful and considerate toward us. They became the 'normal' type of women we know in America, wearing jeans, telling jokes, talking to us like we were long-time friends.
These women did not seem to find the 'abaya' an inconvenience. The customs they follow have existed for a long time and are unlikely to change. Actually, they look at the ‘abaya’ more as protection against assault and rape than as a disadvantage. They also look at it as a way to show to the rest of the world that they are proud of their religion. It is their way to tell the planet: ‘There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is the messenger of Allah.’ I realized that you can only truly know a Saudi woman when she removes her ‘abaya’ and lets you enter her world.
Chantelle Styles
11/19/95 aboard Concordia
A Dinner Suited For Royalty, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
As all the girls were being escorted to yet another unknown adventure in Saudi Arabia, we really didn't know what to expect. So far our stay had been completely overwhelming. We knew that anything more was just going to add to our wonderful memories of this fabulous port.
We all walked slowly towards the restaurant in our hot black abayas- our palms clammy, beads of sweat on our foreheads. Smiles filled our faces as soon as the doors were opened. In front of us was an outdoor restaurant with sofa-like chairs, tables that were low to the ground and a very cool atmosphere. We knew that we were in for a treat. A special table that was extra long (enough to seat 25 people) was assigned to us and we all chose a seat and got comfortable.
While receiving tropical shakes from our formally dressed waiters we all began to chat and play games like telephone and twenty questions,. After talking with our Arabian friends and hostesses about their way of life and how it felt to live in such a strict culture, we were served dinner. Dishes and dishes of unique traditional Saudi Arabian food were served, each one different and special. The meal was delicious- there were salads, pastries filled with meat (samosas), cheese and bananas, fresh pita bread, hummous, stuffed grape leaves, and much more. All of us had the opportunity to eat these unfamiliar foods and were full in no time. After the meal, we drank Saudi Arabian coffee (nothing like the coffee we are used to) served in tiny glass cups decorated in brass. We were then served Saudi Arabian tea which helped us relax and begin the digestion of our large and satisfying meal.
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