Saturday in Jeddah

Here I am!  On the Red Sea!  Definitely not a place I would have thought to ever visit. The planning part to get here was probably more difficult, especially since I had to pull 2 all-nighters to finish my presentation and workshop, but from the minute I walked up to the Saudi Arabian Air check-in at  Dulles to the time I got to my beautiful room in the Jeddah Intercontinental Hotel, it has been a breeze.  And literally too.  While it is 80 degrees or 26 C, it is very comfortable, truly a treat from our local weather on Thursday.

While this is an educational blog, I have not had time to turn my attention to academics.  However, I have learned some things.  I read a lot about Saudi Arabia in preparation for my trip. I visited blogs, e-bulletin boards, and many websites.  I was actually very anxious to leave because what I was reading on the Internet was related to 'warnings' and 'cautions for women.'  I respectfully donned my abaya before landing in Jeddah--I was the only American female in my section. I chose to cover my head, although my Saudi students told me it was unnecessary for Americans to do so in Jeddah.  The wind was so strong and I had that 'bed head' kind of look, it was a welcome accessories. Fingerprinting and photography session in customs was only held up because of the technology--I must have broken two cameras because of my overnight flight beauty.  The people here couldn't be nicer.  My driver was there (he also was at the airport yesterday waiting for me, causing me quite a scare as to whether or not I was supposed to skip Thursday ITS to get on an earlier flight). 

I heard stories of my technology being confiscated (a Saudi student told me that is a myth). I heard that I would be stared at.  I heard that males would not speak to me.  None are true, so far.  There was a woman in the airport who was not in her abaya, there were many Saudi women not covered or only partially covered.  To tell you the truth, with the blasting air conditioning in the buildings, I am quite happy to wear my dress---besides, there is no worry as to having ironed clothes underneath or even if I wear something that matches.  (Oh! A big thank you to my Coldwater Creek saleslady!  The orchid color she chose and that I wore into town seems to be the favorite of many ladies.)

Tonight is dinner with the vice dean and faulty in the College of Education at King Adulaziz University.  My Mason colleague, Dr. Behrmann, received word there are separate arrangements for men and women but I am free to forego the invite for separate dining and I may join the group...so far Jeddah lives up to its reputation for being more progressive.

More tomorrow from the 1st International Forum: A Professional Teacher in the 3rd Millennium...