To be honest I don't know how many days I've been here off hand. I don't really know what day of the week it is, or even what time it is (the sun is rising so it must be really late or early depending on how you look at it). Of course I can easily figure all of this out by simply looking at my cell phone, but there is no point in doing so. The only time I am aware of is when to eat, when to sleep, and when to pray. This is fairly typical to a Saudi Arabian summer. Once school lets out people stay up all night and sleep all day. I thought that I would miss the day time, but all you really miss out on is the unbearable sun. All stores shut down midday because no one is brave enough to venture into the desert heat.
The only real passage of time is generational. Sitting around my grandmothers table, I could actually see the passing of time in the faces and dress of the beautiful women who have lived here all of their lives. Friday lunch at my grandmothers is a tradition and the whole family makes it. My great aunts, aunts, cousins, everyone.
The older women still hold to their traditional values, donning their abbayas at all times and wearing floor length dresses in dark colors. Their hands are stained with henna and their skin is worn by the sun and hardships of life. They are mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and wives. They fulfill each of their roles with dignity, love and respect.
Their daughters, my aunts, have broken from the tradition of their mothers. They wear bright colored dresses and from time to time black slacks. They don't hesitate to remove their abbayas once in the safety of the home. They are professional teachers and secretaries as well as mothers.
The youngest generation, the one to which I belong, are a breed of their own. They still wear the abbayas in public, but to their thinking sheila's are a thing of the past. They take pride in dressing and cutting their hair 'as the Americans do'. Unlike women of past, they are waiting to finish their educations before marrying and study subjects such as business and political science. In the future no job will be out of their reach.
The differences between the generations may seem as if it would drive them apart, but in reality it seems to draw them together. They share their strength, their beliefs, their hopes, and most of all, love. I have never had the honor to be surrounded by so many amazing women in my life.
The only real passage of time is generational. Sitting around my grandmothers table, I could actually see the passing of time in the faces and dress of the beautiful women who have lived here all of their lives. Friday lunch at my grandmothers is a tradition and the whole family makes it. My great aunts, aunts, cousins, everyone.
The older women still hold to their traditional values, donning their abbayas at all times and wearing floor length dresses in dark colors. Their hands are stained with henna and their skin is worn by the sun and hardships of life. They are mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and wives. They fulfill each of their roles with dignity, love and respect.
Their daughters, my aunts, have broken from the tradition of their mothers. They wear bright colored dresses and from time to time black slacks. They don't hesitate to remove their abbayas once in the safety of the home. They are professional teachers and secretaries as well as mothers.
The youngest generation, the one to which I belong, are a breed of their own. They still wear the abbayas in public, but to their thinking sheila's are a thing of the past. They take pride in dressing and cutting their hair 'as the Americans do'. Unlike women of past, they are waiting to finish their educations before marrying and study subjects such as business and political science. In the future no job will be out of their reach.
The differences between the generations may seem as if it would drive them apart, but in reality it seems to draw them together. They share their strength, their beliefs, their hopes, and most of all, love. I have never had the honor to be surrounded by so many amazing women in my life.
It's amazing how quickly society and culture can change! Your family sounds amazing! It sounds like you're getting a great perspective of the advancement of women in Saudi society!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing that you're not keeping track of time while out there, experience everything for what it's worth! I am excited to see you when you come home though. Have fun!