As I strolled along American Alley this afternoon, I saw my first Saudis...at least I assumed they were Saudis...and no, I didn't whip out my camera. I wanted to...and I wanted to stare, but I didn't.
The woman was draped in black. The only thing that was exposed were her eyes. That is, in fact, what got my attention from a distance...the black gallabayas (sp?) are not unusual. Having only the eyes exposed, is...but apparently not if you're a Saudi woman.
I was told about the upstairs at Al Abraj...they have little rooms with a curtain. This is for privacy, but also so that the woman can be kept private...in other words, they eat "behind the curtain" so that no one can see the guy's woman. I guess some men don't want anyone remotely looking at their woman...or women. (There's a compound about a block away with four houses...one for each wife. The first wife gets the biggest house.)
Like I said, I didn't want to stare - I did want to but I refrained...and neither did I whip out my trusty camera...althought I wanted to do that, too. (I remembered hubby's warning about taking pictures of Arab women...I can see how that'd be rude in any culture, though.)
I did get a glimpse or two when I passed... I noticed that her eyes were outlined in black. There also seemed to be a design with the black liner. It looked like it might be similar in design to the henna designs done on hands and feet.
She was clinging to her hubby as they walked down the street.
I was expecting to see more Saudis in the next few days.
Thursday is their Friday night...and Bahrain is their Vegas. (There's actually a causeway that connects Saudi Arabia to Bahrain.) It seems even they find their religious rules a bit constricting. (After judging from my groevery store incident today - and also from what hubs has told me - they also come here for the prostitutes.)
The prostitutes are a bit more covert here...they don't do the "street corner" scene. (I was wondering about the guy in the grocery store...I was completely covered in a long sleeve t-shirt, jacket and jeans - hardly a come hither look. I didn't think I was screaming "prostitute", but apparently, many prostitutes here don't look the part...yet they are abundant.)
So, I saw my first Saudis today...which apparently means I have to be extra careful now that they're in town. (They're good people, I'm sure...but apparently not such great drivers. Plus, the women get to drive here...and being Saudi, they don't get any experience at all when at home. People have gotten hit and killed here.)
I'd love to get a closer look at the eye makeup. It looked like it'd be beautiful...and her make-up didn't seem heavy at all. All I could tell that she had on was the eyeliner...then again, her face was covered.
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