Back in the USA

As you can see, I made it home in time for Christmas with my family. I am proudly wearing my gold camel pendant I bought in the market of Jeddah. I have so many great memories of my trip, and hope you have enjoyed sharing them with me. If you are new to the blog, or just need to catch up, remember to start at the bottom or go to the blog archive. If anyone has any questions, or just wants to get in touch, my school email is rheas1@k12tn.net.

Thanks Aramco, and thanks IIE.

Going home

Our departure was quite surreal, as we left not on our Aramco bus, but in a caravan of SUVs to cross the border into Bahrain. We obtained temporary visas (another stamp in my passport book), and had dinner in the new country. The rules across the lines were definetley relaxed, as we were allowed to remove our abayas. After a couple of hours of 70's and 80's disco music, a saloon- type atmosphere, and smelling of smoke, we boarded our plane to head home. Amy and I held up fairly well for the long evening, as our flight was at 2:30 am.

Even more wonderful people...

The gentleman in the first picture is Amr M. Khashoggi, and we had a wonderful conversation about name meanings. Since his last name means "spoonmaker", he became the recipient of a TN collectors spoon I had brought to give as a gift. He said the meaning of my name translates to Rahma. Emad Mugharbel is leaning towards me across the table, as we had a conversation about his daughter's propensity for art. It was a great pleasure to hear from Dr. Suhair H. Al-Qurashi, President of Dar Al-Hekma College. She is friends with Rita, a teacher who went last year, and with whom I will be presenting with in Nashville in March. (The world becomes smaller and smaller...). Raeid A. Al Mejmaj was another wonderful Aramco host, who took great care of us during our stay. There are so many more people I could mention, as I met soooooooo many!

Some of the wonderful people I met and had great conversations with...

Sara was the only female representative from Aramco that served as one of our hosts. She did a wonderful job, and I think I speak for all the gals on the trip that she was a nice addition. The three gentlemen in the picture include: Ahmad Al-Otaibi, who was in charge of our food for the entire trip (great job!), Moh'd Al-Horaish, and Salim Al-Saffar, who were both very gracious hosts while we were in Riyadh. Yousef Abushaera was a wonderful gentleman that I met at the Intercontinental Hotel. He had great suggestions of activities for us, and always was interested in what we were doing as well. I also enjoyed lunch with Khaled Al-Maeena, the editor of the Arab News, one of the English newspapers published in the Kingdom. Google his newspaper online: very, very, eye-opening. It was very interesting to discuss his point of view on American-Saudi relations. The young lady I am standing with (Kholoud Attar) is a very bright and successful young Saudi woman, as she has started her own magazine in Jeddah called Design.

Playing around with some great new friends...

Amy Kesler, Ellen Georgi, and I had a fun (but odd time in our abayas) at a nearby playground. Mr. Daniel Jocz is playing around with me in front of a beautiful red ferrari we found after dinner. Mr. Kim Bliss and I are mugging for the camera in front of the Red Sea.

Ash-Shurah Council (Saudi Consultative Counci) and the U.S. Embassy

This was an extraordinary opportunity for us to participate in. We were allowed to ask the Council about how laws are made, and about how women are represented. Notice the sign I am holding: it is my name written in Arabic for the roundtable discussion. I got to stand behind the podium where the King makes his yearly speech (sort-of like our State of the Union Address). We were received where all visiting dignataries and Presidents are received. Notice there are no pictures of the U.S. Embassy (inside or out). This is the only place in the Kingdom where we weren't allowed to take pictures!!! Ali asked us why our own country place would not allow pictures. Good question, because I don't know and they didn't tell.

Ali giving us directions on how to make Arabic coffee

You now have the directions to try and make this coffee for yourself!

King Abdulaziz Historical Center

This historical center/museum was HUGE, with 8 separate areas. In the pictures you can see the outside of one area, a model of the whole property, and an area where a man shows the ancient ways of making Arabic coffee.

Now in Riyadh

We went to Al-Yamamah College, which is coed. Even though it is coed, men and women have separate areas in which they study (basically a men's college and women's college on the same campus). The library and gym facilities are scheduled on a rotating basis for use. We also got to be in the audience and pose questions for the men's debate team. The topic was whether Arabs are responsible for their own negative perception in the U.S. Very interesting and relative. The answers were well thought out. The opposition won the debate, proving to our audience that Arabs are not responsible for their own negative perception. The women in our group got to visit separately with the women's side. It was just like college students everywhere behind closed doors...lots of talking, giggling, and just enjoying each other's company.

Jetting around Jeddah (or more appropriately, the Red Sea)

Can you believe it??? That's me driving a jet ski and swimming in the Red Sea! I had the time of my life. Even on the boat Arabic hospitality was in full swing. We were again served coffee, dates, other drinks, and a myriad of snacks. Wow...Notice the picture of Ali (in the red shirt). He looks much different without his throbe and gutra.
Enjoy the video as we go along the sea.

Hijazi Folkloric Night in Jeddah

The video shows me getting my henna!!!
The finished product was quite unique. You can see me getting showered with rose petals as we are led into the building to participate in song and dance.

Shopping in the Suq

We got the chance to shop at an outdoor market called the Suq. Almost any item you could think of was for sale. It was located in front of Nasief House. Mike McCartt (our fearless IIE leader) and I are giving a thumbs up on the crossroads street. I got to purchase some prayer beads like the ones Mark Heiden and I are holding. Mike Nagano and I are playing around with some of the toys available. I am purchasing another abaya from the man in the picture. I have lots of treasures to share when I come home!

Nasief House

We got to go to the old section of Jeddah and tour Nasief House, which is over 150 years old. It is located at the crossroads to Mecca. It contains original architecture and items inside. The view from the top is amazing, as you can see so much of the old city. A fellow teacher, Paul Worley and I, are hanging our head out of the window at the very top. I am standing out on the balcony area with our guide throughout our trip, Ali.

Anqawi House

This amazing house was designed by famed architect Dr. Sami Anqawi. This house is an amazement of detail and opulence. It's many floors contain all kinds of design concepts. The pool in the middle of the house has a bottom that looks like a rug. Former President Jimmy Carter has swam here...