A Dream Come True

Continuing my journey, I need to pay close attention to the people overtaking me. They forget to observe the traffic when they see my dog Rexby sitting on what they are used to being the driver's seat. And after further curious exploration, they find a woman on the steering wheel!! On the wrong side of the car!! A lot of selfies are being made whilst driving, even by drivers, which requires me at times to react quickly to avoid a collision. Through one of those overtaking games, they overtake me, I overtake them, members of a lovely family taking a holiday from Riyadh stop me and take me to their holiday villa. This is my first taste of Saudi hospitality. First, some Arab coffee, which has nothing in common with the coffee I know from home; a delicious concoction of white coffee beans, spices, and milk, accompanied by dates. Then they take me on a sightseeing tour to the historical town of Shaqra. Upon our return, the rest of the family has arrived – all told 40-50 people, not including the maids. No wonder the living room was so enormous!
Long have I learned not to underestimate those hejabbed women! I always imagined them as being shy, meek, but far from it. Travelling in the eastern world for some time I had to drop a lot of my prejudices and came to recognize that hiding behind the Hejab are women with all sorts of characteristics, different levels of education, some more, some less confident. I have met a professor of artificial intelligence, IT specialists, doctors, women like you and me, wearing Hejabs, not because the husband or father insists on it, but because, as they insist, they choose to.

The next day, after saying good bye to my lovely family I went again into Shakra to have a look at the sights during day light, when a man asked after my wellbeing and took me on a tour through the historical part of Shakra. He turned out to be the Mayor of the town.Read more