So after having been ensconced in this little self-catering suite for the night, I woke up early this morning in order to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. And I waited, and waited, and waited..... for a call that never came.The driver from last night had told me that he would call me this morning with a pick-up time. Now, I had no food, except for some shortbread biscuits from home, and some water. When I got the duty manager to help me call a restaurant to order some breakfast, I was told that I had to order for at least 60 Saudi riyal (about R125). Also, I couldn't make any 'outside' phone calls from my room. And I had not yet got a Saudi sim card, so I couldn't contact anyone that way. By the time it got to 11:30, I was furious, and crying, and asking how I could have done this to myself. How could I have put myself in this situation? I was too scared to leave in case I missed the call, and also because I wasn't sure whether I was allowed to walk around alone. Would I get into trouble? Offend the religious police? I knew what I was letting myself in for, coming here, but it's another thing experiencing having to sit around and wait on a man. Extremely frustrating!
Thank Goodness, I have working wi-fi in my room, so I could communicate with people that way. My Knight-in-Shining-Armour-Kevin made a call to my site director to ask him what was going on. This dear gentleman aplogised and assured me that this was NOT supposed to have happened to me. In the meantime, my dear friend, Thube from SA, just happened to be off sick today, and she came online, called her personal driver and drove for 30 minutes just to come give me a hug, even though she was hobbling around on crutches post-knee surgery! She took me to get connected and get some food in me, and then it was time for my pick-up for my first day at work.
Everyone at my company was by now emailing and calling one another, since I had sent an email telling them all that I wasn't impressed and was feeling abandoned! (I know it all sounds a bit dramatic, but hey, you had be here in my shoes to understand!) Anyway, I met four lovely ladies with whom I am to work. After a nice little communal moan-and-groan, I felt much better. One of the ladies took me to a souk (market), where I got fitted for an abaya. Now for some comedy....
Only men work in stores. It's only in the last few months, that a law was passed that only allows women to work in lingerie stores! So, here was my next challenge: being fitted for an abaya by a man, in a store run by men, which means we women should remain covered at all times. So, I fitted on an abaya which we thought might be the right fit. It was, but it's always best to have an extra bit of room. So can you imagine what happened next? I had to stand there and let these men ogle my assets to see whether it was too tight! Oh, the humiliation! Never mind the ridiculous way I had to fit it on in the first place. I was expected to somehow achieve this whilst keeping my burka on and in place! One cannot do this alone. So there I was, exclaiming loudly how ridiculous this all was, standing there with one sleeve on under my burka, and trying to find the other sleeve amidst the burka folds, while my colleague was trying to shield the rest of me that was already quite well concealed. What could I do? I felt like stripping off all my clothes to really give them something to look at! Of course, if I had entertained that rebellious thought, I don't think I'd be typing this right now. Isn't it ironic how rebellious I feel since arriving in this country?
Anyway, on to more pleasant experiences....I came home and ordered a box of food to keep in the fridge. I have also made firm friends with the night manager here, by unveiling myself to him. Heehee. This is not as bad as it sounds. Basically, I just decided to go uncloaked and bareheaded to the front desk (the rebel in me, I know!) Unfortunately, it was almost prayer time, and the poor guy was trying to usher me out of sight, so no one would see me that way! And then the flirting began. Turns out he is Egyptian, told me I look very Egyptian, asked if I'm married, that he is single and wants to marry a South African! Don't worry, I am keeping my door chained tonight!
Till next time!
Thank Goodness, I have working wi-fi in my room, so I could communicate with people that way. My Knight-in-Shining-Armour-Kevin made a call to my site director to ask him what was going on. This dear gentleman aplogised and assured me that this was NOT supposed to have happened to me. In the meantime, my dear friend, Thube from SA, just happened to be off sick today, and she came online, called her personal driver and drove for 30 minutes just to come give me a hug, even though she was hobbling around on crutches post-knee surgery! She took me to get connected and get some food in me, and then it was time for my pick-up for my first day at work.
Everyone at my company was by now emailing and calling one another, since I had sent an email telling them all that I wasn't impressed and was feeling abandoned! (I know it all sounds a bit dramatic, but hey, you had be here in my shoes to understand!) Anyway, I met four lovely ladies with whom I am to work. After a nice little communal moan-and-groan, I felt much better. One of the ladies took me to a souk (market), where I got fitted for an abaya. Now for some comedy....
Only men work in stores. It's only in the last few months, that a law was passed that only allows women to work in lingerie stores! So, here was my next challenge: being fitted for an abaya by a man, in a store run by men, which means we women should remain covered at all times. So, I fitted on an abaya which we thought might be the right fit. It was, but it's always best to have an extra bit of room. So can you imagine what happened next? I had to stand there and let these men ogle my assets to see whether it was too tight! Oh, the humiliation! Never mind the ridiculous way I had to fit it on in the first place. I was expected to somehow achieve this whilst keeping my burka on and in place! One cannot do this alone. So there I was, exclaiming loudly how ridiculous this all was, standing there with one sleeve on under my burka, and trying to find the other sleeve amidst the burka folds, while my colleague was trying to shield the rest of me that was already quite well concealed. What could I do? I felt like stripping off all my clothes to really give them something to look at! Of course, if I had entertained that rebellious thought, I don't think I'd be typing this right now. Isn't it ironic how rebellious I feel since arriving in this country?
Anyway, on to more pleasant experiences....I came home and ordered a box of food to keep in the fridge. I have also made firm friends with the night manager here, by unveiling myself to him. Heehee. This is not as bad as it sounds. Basically, I just decided to go uncloaked and bareheaded to the front desk (the rebel in me, I know!) Unfortunately, it was almost prayer time, and the poor guy was trying to usher me out of sight, so no one would see me that way! And then the flirting began. Turns out he is Egyptian, told me I look very Egyptian, asked if I'm married, that he is single and wants to marry a South African! Don't worry, I am keeping my door chained tonight!
Till next time!
Drama delux ANDREA!!!
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