Can you imagine…

--Well—I did.

Yes, that may sound like a foolish thing to do, especially since Middle Eastern culture is very different to the Judea-Christian based society I came from, yet there I was…facing a world that was more exotic and different to anything I could ever imagine.

Saudi Arabia is a far away land, mysterious and intriguing for those of us from the Western world. The rich culture tweaks our curiosity, but what really lies beyond its borders?



What little we know of Saudi is recorded in the pages of history books and the media broadcasts current events, but a deep insight into the people, its culture and philosophies is hard to come by.

Atrocities of inhumane treatment such as beheadings and stonings leak out, but could this possibly be true, especially in our day and age when we consider ourselves “civilized”?

Many people from all around the world go to Arabia to fulfill a work contract, usually lasting for about two years.

I did that.

I signed a work contract. I wanted to explore the world—and my career as a registered nurse gave me license to explore beyond the boundaries of my ordinary existence.

Little did I know that my thirst for travel and change would lead to crazy, wild and life-threatening adventures.

I learned first-hand what life is like behind the palace walls of two royal families.

I helped a friend who was arrested and who suffered the abuses of the Sharia judicial system. I managed to escape a kidnapping and uncover various cultural aspects of this society, including:

• • • 
      
      -attitudes towards women.

      -Incarceration of women for menial crimes

      -ancient healing rituals (cauterizations, female circumcision etc)

      -incest

      -distribution of wealth

      -slavery/servants

      -hierarchal society

      -behaviors and lifestyles of the Westerners

      -no tourism or limited tourism

      -the “Saudi-ization” plan to phase out Westeners.

      -Yes, and even dating.

Most of these things people read about in the newspapers, or learn about through other media--but I experienced it first-hand. This culture was indeed a shock.

Not only are the customs strange, language incomprehensible, but the situations I found myself in were unique.

This is not to say that all those who live and work in this country have negative experiences, but most expatriates are shielded from the unorthodox practices beyond the compound walls.

Compound? It is like a safe haven, villas, or little villages constructed for the Western workers. The compounds have impenetrable walls to keep intruders out, and safeguard Westerners. Most Westerners socialize among themselves, and life in Saudi can be a positive, memorable experience.

I had the opportunity to live and work in Saudi Arabia and was ‘fortunate’ to live amongst the privileged as well as the ordinary citizen of the Kingdom.

Unlike most of my Western comrades who sheltered themselves, remaining in their compounds and socializing with others similar to them from various countries from around the world, I was able to go beyond the walls of the compounds, away from the safety of the network of Westerners and was exposed to a world few have the opportunity of viewing.

Not only was I a spectator but I had a role to perform, and this role exposed me to the culture and unpleasantries not normally seen by the contracted worker.

Over the course of the next few days, weeks and months, I will address all these topics--plus others.

Please keep in mind, I am not a journalist, theologian or politician. All knowledge, understanding and insight is based on my own unique exposure to Saudi Arabia culture, and explanation and reporting of these events is simply the perspective of one woman--me.

I invite you to come back from time to time to read new posts and hopefully this information will be useful and enlightening.

I know this all may sound a little daunting, but believe me, for those who step outside of the protected compound walls and live inside the homes and neighborhoods of the Saudi people, they soon discover Saudi Arabia is no place for the faint of heart.

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