My first interaction with Saudi women

The other day I was sitting in a little shop having a cookie and some juice. I was on the family side, which is where single women and families go (single men have their own side). A Saudi woman, covered in the traditional garb (Abaya and burka (hair scarf and face shield) came over and asked if she could sit with me. She spoke a litte English and we started to talk. Soon I realized that the other Saudi women, similarily dressed, across the aisle were with her. We all started talking. They wanted to know how I liked living here, why I was here and how long I had been here. They wanted to know what I knew about Islam and if I had a religion. I told them that I have been studying a little about Islam and that I am a Christian. They wondered if I was interested in converting, I politely told them no and then we started talking about how we both believe in God and in being virtous. We talked about the United States and life here in Saudi. They were very curious about me and about how I like it here. The told me that if I needed anything at all to contact them, we exchanged emails. They were so nice, one even took off her face scarf while we were talking.

This is the first time a Saudi women has said anything to me, it was very refreshing. They were so nice to me, I was afraid they were going to be upset because I didn't have my hair covered, but they just wanted to get to know me. They were just as fascinated with me as I was with them. I hope we can get to know each other a little better. It was perfect timing, just when I was complaining about how much some things here bother me (like the fact that the women have no rights) I am introduced to a bunch of wonderful women who seem very happy.

Maybe Saudi isn't so bad after all, granted, I still have to walk it I want to go anywhere because I can't drive, I can't go very far on my own, I can't work, and I am supposed to cover when I am in public (which I don't always do and haven't had any problems). I am getting used to it here, I don't think I could live my whole life here, but I will make our time here as happy as I can. :)