I will not lie, before I came to Saudi about 6 months ago, I was embraced with fear, not knowing what to expect. What can you expect if there is no information to base your expectations on. I started getting worried, when I kept searching on google.com and I couldn't find anything, it used to make me more uncomfortable. I was stuck between two extreme feelings; feeling of over excitement to finally see the dome of Islam, and a feeling of complete fear of not knowing what to expect.
When I finally arrived in Saudi Arabia, all I can remember of my drive from the King Abdul-Aziz Airport were the high way road that were decorated with palm trees and the dusty afternoon sunset. I think the spaciousness also had its own feel, something that I can't describe.
However, Saudi is very different depending where you are in the Kingdom. Riyadh is not the same as Skakah....and that is the fact. Even the women don't wear the same abayas. Like our own countries, each city, each town has its own people, its own ideas and things they hold on to.
Skakah, did take my breath away, literally....... All I experienced for the first week was a 40 minute bus trip from school to work, and all I could see was just heap after heap of sand.
However, the sand in Saudi is some what different. You can find yourself staring at the sand dunes for hours and you won't get bored. There is some kind of depth with it all, being far away from hype and finding yourself in a quiet space.
I clearly remember that it was my second month of being in Skakah that the deafening silence started to affect me. Silence is good, but I firmly believe that too much of it,can drive one insane. For about a week in the second month, I wasn't sure if I was coming or going, living or dying, losing complete track of time and thought. The absence of chaos, completely swallowed me in, and I found myself praying harder, sleeping more just to let it pass. I never thought that Allah does give what we ask for, in an abundance. I prayed for quietness, and he gave me 100% peace, where it was only me and Him.
I reminded myself that I didn't come to this county just to teach. I came to learn about myself, my love for teaching, improve my Arabic and to perfect myself in my religion.
Just as I was asking for it, BOOM, it came. Soon, I started enjoying the small town Arabic culture of Skakah. I enjoy going to Shuloop street to walk about, seeing young girls in beautiful abayas and boys in their gutra and thob. The best part is going to small perfume shops, and get whisked away to a world of wonderful smells.
As a woman in Saudi I have been respected, treated with utmost care and dignity. Whenever I cross the street, the cars stop. In the shops, the men always give way for a woman to be first in the queue. A woman's safety is first in this country and most of all ,her honor and dignity is well protected.
What I love about Saudi is that there is no judgement being passed on to a woman, half the time a woman's body and face is covered, which is the best thing on this planet. I can go do my shopping in peace and quiet without someone trying to make a pass at me.
Besides all of that, the food in Saudi has been a real treat. From kabsah to tabulah, japrak, kunefa and many more dishes, it has been a heavenly experience for my taste buds. I have been exploring my cooking skills, by making my own , baklava, manti, schwarma, tabula and spinach dishes. I have been spending most of my time trying to figure out how to cook certain dishes, how to be more creative and to use my time in an effective manner.
Skakah is just that, a small town, not much to do, not much to see really, but good enough for anyone to learn a new culture. A place to take some serious time out and to let go of the crazy world of the west!
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