Gnomies
2 days ago
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Accomplishments in the kithen in Saudi
Ok, cooking in Saudi, as in any new country, is a challenge, but I am gradually finding my way. I made some chocolate chip cookies (with a substitute for vanilla extract because it as alcohol in it and they don't sell anything with alcohol in it here). I learned how to make an Arabic Bread called Zahtar Bread, it it a sweet dough with some spices with sesame seed and olive oil spread on top. Today I made flour tortillas, from scratch, they are really really easy! Next I am going to see how well a cake turns out, banana nut bread, peanut-butter cookies and creme caramel. It is hard to find the same spices here, so I have had to make a lot of substitutions. The flour here is a little more coarse, so I am still looking for some cake flour and super fine sugar. I know that they make baked items rise and taste better. I am also going to make a Lebanese sweet called Baklaui (or something like that). It is like Baklava, but with Orange Blossom Water, I have made it before but it is easier to get the ingredients here. Heck, have to find something to do with my time. Oh, and, I am going to make Cinnamon rolls for Adam (not me, can't stand Cinnamon!). If anyone has some fun cookie suggestions let me know!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Doctor Doctor
Medical care in Saudi Arabia is interesting. You have to understand the culture to understand that it reaches everywhere, including the hospitals, even the pharmacies. Men and women do not intermingle, period. Men obviously accompany their wife, but they do not sit among a group of women. I have mentioned briefly this segregation. In the airport I was moved out of the line full of men and placed in a line for women and families. In restaraunts their are sections for men that are alone, so they can't be with the women and families. I am not sure yet why this is the case, but that is the way it is, period. And, this extends to the hospital.
In the hospital there is a seperate waiting room for the women, it is curtained off. All the nurses are women. When I walked into the waiting room I was surrounded by women, I assume they were all are Saudi, they were shrouded in black, head to toe, most of them had their eyes covered as well, and most of them had on gloves. I waited in the room until a nurse took me to the Doctor's office, where he met with me, but the rules say that a female attendant had to be present for even a consultation. This isn't a big deal, I have had doctors do this before. Then, I went to fill my prescription, I walked into a very small, curtained off room, women only, and the room was literally packed with black robed women. It is almost intimidating. I am so used to being able to read people by seeing their eyes, and I can't see their eyes, it throws me off. I wonder how they get to know each other? I am not mocking anything, just curious.
I really would like to learn more about the basis for this protectionism. Women really are protected here, separated from the men so that nothing bad could happen. I wonder if it works, on a criminal basis. I wonder if their are fewer sexual attacks and crimes because of the cultural protections that have been in place for so long. It would be interesting to see if there are any studies on this issue. Google, I'm going to have to find out!
In the hospital there is a seperate waiting room for the women, it is curtained off. All the nurses are women. When I walked into the waiting room I was surrounded by women, I assume they were all are Saudi, they were shrouded in black, head to toe, most of them had their eyes covered as well, and most of them had on gloves. I waited in the room until a nurse took me to the Doctor's office, where he met with me, but the rules say that a female attendant had to be present for even a consultation. This isn't a big deal, I have had doctors do this before. Then, I went to fill my prescription, I walked into a very small, curtained off room, women only, and the room was literally packed with black robed women. It is almost intimidating. I am so used to being able to read people by seeing their eyes, and I can't see their eyes, it throws me off. I wonder how they get to know each other? I am not mocking anything, just curious.
I really would like to learn more about the basis for this protectionism. Women really are protected here, separated from the men so that nothing bad could happen. I wonder if it works, on a criminal basis. I wonder if their are fewer sexual attacks and crimes because of the cultural protections that have been in place for so long. It would be interesting to see if there are any studies on this issue. Google, I'm going to have to find out!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Church
We went to church again, my second sabbath now. Once again, the spirit was so strong. I am amazed at how much the people here sacrifice to follow their beliefs and at the strength of their convictions. It is very humbling, and almost ashamed. If they knew how easy it is at home, at least in some places, to worship, to go to the temple, to do the things we take for granted at home. Here, we are so far away, yet, we feel so close. I can't really put it into words, which is a rare feeling for me.
I felt like the lesson in Relief Societ was meant for me, there were only four of us, and all of us are going through the same situation, so I am sure it was meant for all of us, but it is exactly what I needed to hear. We talked about a Conference talk, about living the simple life. I can now see what Thoreau meant when he went to the woods to live life more simply. Life here in Saudi is like that, simple. I know that I am here to learn something, not quite sure what yet, but I know I am supposed to learn at least one thing, how to be strong by living life simply, focusing on the things that really matter in life. Looking back I can see my path, how my life has become less and less simple, and I appreciate Adam more and more for the sacrifice he is making for our family, I just wish I could do more.
But, back to church, I really look forward to Friday's here (that is when we have church). I get to spend the whole day with Adam, and I get to go to church. It really does help prepare me for the week, even though my weeks now are so different than they used to be I am sure I will adjust. So, my new mantra, "Simplify your life." Try it.
I felt like the lesson in Relief Societ was meant for me, there were only four of us, and all of us are going through the same situation, so I am sure it was meant for all of us, but it is exactly what I needed to hear. We talked about a Conference talk, about living the simple life. I can now see what Thoreau meant when he went to the woods to live life more simply. Life here in Saudi is like that, simple. I know that I am here to learn something, not quite sure what yet, but I know I am supposed to learn at least one thing, how to be strong by living life simply, focusing on the things that really matter in life. Looking back I can see my path, how my life has become less and less simple, and I appreciate Adam more and more for the sacrifice he is making for our family, I just wish I could do more.
But, back to church, I really look forward to Friday's here (that is when we have church). I get to spend the whole day with Adam, and I get to go to church. It really does help prepare me for the week, even though my weeks now are so different than they used to be I am sure I will adjust. So, my new mantra, "Simplify your life." Try it.
Saudi, how do you see it
When you close your eyes and imagine Saudi Arabia, what do you see? A derest, sand dunes like in the movies, with an oasis here and there, maybe a palm tree or two? Throw in some camels, people in different clothing and you have what I thought I was coming to.
Now, let me tell you what I see outside my window. No sand dunes with sand rippling across the top like the waves on the ocean. The sun isn't blaring hot, at least not yet, and there are more than "a few" trees around the area, and most of them aren't palm trees. I see fields, not filled with green grass but with white sand. Trees, not tall oaks but not scrub oak either, are scattered throughout the landscape. They don't provide shade for the streets, but they do provide shelter and green. The green isn't the bright green of the South or the deep green of the Pacific North-West in the States, it is a more dulled green, alsmost tinged with a touch of tan. Some look like the Russian Olive tree in my parents back yard, but I am not positive.
The houses in the normal streets, not the suburbs where the rich people live, but where normal every day people live, look like the buildings in every third world country I have ever been in. White cement buildings surrounded by tall cement walls of a similar color. The only glimpse inside is through the metal gate, if you are lucky, if not there is a metal door. These houses look exactly like the houses in the Capital of Guatemala, but only rich people lived in houses like that in Guatemala. I look on the news and the houses and buildings here look just like the houses and buildings shown from around the region, and just like those in Guatemala. It must be the cement, box-like, structure.
Those fields I described earlier, are often scattered with young men, playing a version of cricket. Or, maybe sitting on a make-shift bench, all lined up, in their robes, chatting, passing the slow day. There are trails that criss-cross the landscape, men are seen walking together, meandering towards their un-seen destination, a strange contrast to the face-paced highway, they seem complete oblivious to it, to that "lifestyle." I don't see women walking on any of the paths or in any of the fields. I see them in the stores, covered in their black abayas and burkas. I see their children, in similar clothing and always with the most beautiful eyes, deep black, ringed with long, beautiful lashes. A million words can be conveyed with those eyes, all children are the same, and they laugh when I cross my eyes or make a funny face. To them, I am the stranger, the one that doesn't fit in. I can only wonder what they must be thinking, I try to remember what I thought when I was their age, how I reacted to people from another culture. I see no fear, I hope I was the same.
In this world, life moves differently, I can't quite explain it. Everywhere I look I see a different nationality, Saudi's, Pakistani's, Indian's, Filipino's, etc. The area is a draw to people from all over the world, most are men, here alone, working to send money to their families at home. They all work so hard, day in and day out, all trying to escape this economic fiasco that has descended upon our world. The downturn is felt here, and rumors of it are heard and fears of lay-offs are just as real here as they are at home. The few men that Adam and I have met slave away, and I wonder how their lives would change if they were sent home, hat in hand, to a country even more impoverished, no money, no work. So, even here, the failing economy reaches out and clenches us in it's grasp.
Women work here, but usually only in hospitals and schools. Every woman that I have seen working here is from a different country, I don't think I have seen one woman from Saudi working. I don't know if they have to, I'm honestly not sure. That is one thing that I wish I could change, but I don't think will, I would like to meet more Saudi women. I have met women from all over the world, most of them Muslim, but none of them from Saudi. I would like to talk to them about the culture, about life here where we live. If not, it is all just a point of view, like mine, an outsiders point of view.
So, what I see here, yes, I do see a few camels and people in different clothing. But, I don't see the deseret that I saw in Aladdin and in all those movies and TV shows. There is a lot of sand, but it isn't so different than the grass at home, just a different color. It isn't hot, but I have been told that the heat is coming, and when it does it won't be like anything I have ever experienced. Yes, it is different, but still, you would be surprised how much the same.
Now, let me tell you what I see outside my window. No sand dunes with sand rippling across the top like the waves on the ocean. The sun isn't blaring hot, at least not yet, and there are more than "a few" trees around the area, and most of them aren't palm trees. I see fields, not filled with green grass but with white sand. Trees, not tall oaks but not scrub oak either, are scattered throughout the landscape. They don't provide shade for the streets, but they do provide shelter and green. The green isn't the bright green of the South or the deep green of the Pacific North-West in the States, it is a more dulled green, alsmost tinged with a touch of tan. Some look like the Russian Olive tree in my parents back yard, but I am not positive.
The houses in the normal streets, not the suburbs where the rich people live, but where normal every day people live, look like the buildings in every third world country I have ever been in. White cement buildings surrounded by tall cement walls of a similar color. The only glimpse inside is through the metal gate, if you are lucky, if not there is a metal door. These houses look exactly like the houses in the Capital of Guatemala, but only rich people lived in houses like that in Guatemala. I look on the news and the houses and buildings here look just like the houses and buildings shown from around the region, and just like those in Guatemala. It must be the cement, box-like, structure.
Those fields I described earlier, are often scattered with young men, playing a version of cricket. Or, maybe sitting on a make-shift bench, all lined up, in their robes, chatting, passing the slow day. There are trails that criss-cross the landscape, men are seen walking together, meandering towards their un-seen destination, a strange contrast to the face-paced highway, they seem complete oblivious to it, to that "lifestyle." I don't see women walking on any of the paths or in any of the fields. I see them in the stores, covered in their black abayas and burkas. I see their children, in similar clothing and always with the most beautiful eyes, deep black, ringed with long, beautiful lashes. A million words can be conveyed with those eyes, all children are the same, and they laugh when I cross my eyes or make a funny face. To them, I am the stranger, the one that doesn't fit in. I can only wonder what they must be thinking, I try to remember what I thought when I was their age, how I reacted to people from another culture. I see no fear, I hope I was the same.
In this world, life moves differently, I can't quite explain it. Everywhere I look I see a different nationality, Saudi's, Pakistani's, Indian's, Filipino's, etc. The area is a draw to people from all over the world, most are men, here alone, working to send money to their families at home. They all work so hard, day in and day out, all trying to escape this economic fiasco that has descended upon our world. The downturn is felt here, and rumors of it are heard and fears of lay-offs are just as real here as they are at home. The few men that Adam and I have met slave away, and I wonder how their lives would change if they were sent home, hat in hand, to a country even more impoverished, no money, no work. So, even here, the failing economy reaches out and clenches us in it's grasp.
Women work here, but usually only in hospitals and schools. Every woman that I have seen working here is from a different country, I don't think I have seen one woman from Saudi working. I don't know if they have to, I'm honestly not sure. That is one thing that I wish I could change, but I don't think will, I would like to meet more Saudi women. I have met women from all over the world, most of them Muslim, but none of them from Saudi. I would like to talk to them about the culture, about life here where we live. If not, it is all just a point of view, like mine, an outsiders point of view.
So, what I see here, yes, I do see a few camels and people in different clothing. But, I don't see the deseret that I saw in Aladdin and in all those movies and TV shows. There is a lot of sand, but it isn't so different than the grass at home, just a different color. It isn't hot, but I have been told that the heat is coming, and when it does it won't be like anything I have ever experienced. Yes, it is different, but still, you would be surprised how much the same.
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