The thought behind the Abaya is modesty. However, as I have done window shopping at the malls here the clothes advertised that they wear underneath are anything but modest. The women here dress to impress each other because they can only be seen by each other and immediate family. So if I were in need of clothing while here there is the problem of immodesty and they don't have fitting rooms. If you are like me you have to try on at least 10 outfits before you find something you like and fits well. They do occasionally put fitting rooms in the women's bathrooms. However, the bathrooms are small lakes because they hose themselves off after using the restroom and wash up for prayer time. Basically it is a public restroom nightmare personified here. Once we get a car we will do a desert pit stop before heading into the city.
To be respectful some have said to wear the Abaya out in public but I don't have to cover my head. Some Westerns here never worn one but just dress extremely modest, (i.e. long sleeves in the dead of summer). I have gone out twice just modestly dressed and got a lot of stares and once in the Abaya that I borrowed. I haven't decided which I'll wear shorts and tees with the Abaya in the summer or long pants and long sleeves. There are also religious police who enforce the laws but they are not supposed to approach and talk with us.
I have found a wonderful site www.toursaudiarabia.com which gives a great insight to all things Saudi. It also has some pictures on it that normally you wouldn't get to see as tourism is not allowed in this country. The only foreigners are workers or those Muslims who are making their once in a life time pilgrimage to Mecca.
A couple of observations:
Juice- They have the most amazing thick yummy juice here. I did not buy juice (empty calories) for the boys at home but here when you see things like Mango, Cherry Raspberry, Extra thick Strawberry, Kiwi Lime, Pear, or Pomegranate Lime juice you just have to try it. So far we have not been disappointed.
Dry Skin- In Alaska my skin was ALWAYS dry. In the winter my fingers were always cracking and bleeding. I thought it would be ten times worse here. Strangely enough my hands are better. My face is still dry and only gets really bad when we have sandstorms.
Diversity- We went to a Festive of Culture put on by the school last week. There were displays from all over the world. Everyone wore costumes from their home countries and the best part, table after table of food from each country. We tried food from Egypt, Jordan, Philippines, Mexico, Canada (how exotic), India, Pakistan, Venezuela and others. It was awesome because unless you visit those respective countries you don't often get to try something authentic. At home things were often Americanized. Poor Graham does not like my adventures in eating. Often after I am adventurous in eating he pays the price the next day. There are so many spices here he is not used to. I decided I need to stick with the mild things and next year I can really experience all the curries I have wanted to try.
Wow, that juice description reminded me of zucco in Italia! Yummy. So could you get arrested if you weren't wearing one of those things? Does it hurt the relations with the Saudis if you go out without being covered even if they can't say anything to you? Very interesting. That would be so much fun to try all that food. That's so awesome that you guys are doing that! Oh and why am I not on your blog list?? rude.
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