Aleicom Assaramu( Hello!)

My name is Kitty. I come from Japan. I have lived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia because of my husband's work for for 2 and half years. It is my first stay in abroad except Japan. Even traveling, I only visited to Scotland in United Kingdom for my honeymoon. That's why, my staying in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is really an adventure for me and for my family!
I am ashamed to say that I did not have any idea about this country at all. For example, how is life, what clothes they wear, what food they eat and so on. My image was only 'Is it Muslim people?' 'Is it the huge desert?' 'Is it a herd of camels?' I did not even know where Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was. At the beginning, I looked for the point of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the globe. However, the more I checked about Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the more difficult it seemed to stay there.

As you know, Saudi Arabia is one of most devout countries. There is no choice for them to believe other religions. On the other hand, many Japanese people participate in Buddhism and Shinto which is native religion in Japan. And they can chose their own religions of cause. And, Much of the customs are depend on those religion. As the same of the weather, there is no desert in Japan. I have never seen camels except in a zoo. I am sure that you are able to realize my hesitating!
I would like to tell you about Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in my view. I hope that you would enjoy reading and it would be helpful for you.

How is Arabic people's life?

Actually, they obey religious precepts about their life. Otherwise their life's basement is 'Koran.' To my surprise, they are forbidden to eat pork which I ate almost every day. And they are forbidden to drink alcohol at all which I drank almost every day. They are also forbidden to see women's whole face in general. Because, all women in Saudi Arabia (even foreign women also) must cover the body with 'Abaya' when we go outside. 'Abaya' is black thin cloth which is like a coat. Some devout Muslim women cover their hair with veil, cover their face with face mask, cover even their hands with gloves. It is completely all black except their eyes. Can you imagine that scene?

It makes me feel strange but it is really normal daily life for Muslim people. And, I can realize about these precepts. How practical it is!

First, Bedowin people who have lived in the desert are native of this country. It is supposed that Bedowin people have moved from one Oasis to another breeding camels, sheep, also selling something in the survival desert. The pigs are believed to be dirty in ' Koran'. And somebody told me the pigs usually become sick easily. I suppose that it is not easy to keep to be eaten.Secondly, if they drank alcohol in this very hot weather country, they would have a bad hang over. I am sure that they must drink as much water as they can. It is quite difficult to survive in the desert.
Third, I have heard that the marriage system, in which the men are able to marry with 4 wives, is the purpose to save the widow of long severe war. Even these day, it is not easy to have 4 wives, because the husband must do his duties to treat all wives equally. And he must pay expensive betrothal money. Are you disappointed?

I think that both traditional style and new modern style which is influenced from United States and European countries are blend well.

By the way, when I asked a Saudis woman, she told me,
'My husband dose not allow me to show my hair except him.'
Indeed it was pretty charming. Her hair was curled chest nut brown, and of cause it was long and beautiful.

	We can see beautiful ''Bouganvillea''.
Saudi's couple who are wearing 'Tobu' and 'Abaya'.

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