Weird Things Around Here

The title of this post says it all, and more. There are A LOT of weird/strange things about living in the Middle East. I thought you might find them interesting yourself. And weird too.

Disclaimer! These are not facts, they are my observations, opinions and answers to questions that I ask. I ask a lot of questions, but most women here don't speak very much to Western women. So I ask around, but the answers are usually from Westerner's who have been here more than 20 years. Just letting you know where I am getting my info.

When I sign into blogger, and many other sites, it's all in Arabic, and I sign in backwards. (they read right to left) So usually you write your name in the on the left, and PW on the right. Not here. And it's in arabic, so you can't read where to put what. You just guess.

We've had more problems online that I imagined. Banks, websites, airline sites, paypal, itunes, etc. We are blocked from tons of stuff, because of our location. While I appreciate the security as an American, in drives me nuts! (Like I said, I can't start a new blog because they don't think it's me trying to start it. And they only send PW to cell phones, which I don't have. Weird.)

Most everyone on camp has a second "car." A golf cart. The community is just so small, that they are fine to drive around. I actually like it, and want one! They make me smile, and I love to see them lined up in front of the school for pick up.

Everyone has a nanny. (well, not everyone, but lots) Today I saw a nanny walking a child to school, their "house boy" walking their dog, and then cleaning their car. Why have a dog or a child? I'm confused. This family makes their help wear uniforms as well. Weird. (The family are "locals" - if you know what I mean.) Most of the "help" are Phillipino, and some Bangladeshi. I have a gardener and a guy who cleans four hours a week for me, they are Bangladeshi. (More on them later)

Most bathrooms have a kitchen-sink-type-hose next to them, hanging next to the toilet on the wall. These people rarely use toilet paper, but they do hose/spray themselves off. Yes, I agree. Hygenic? I think not. But they think it's far cleaner than wiping. Maybe with your own hose, but really? Everyone using it in "that" region? Nope. Not for me. (on a personal side note, we have two bideh's no idea how to spell that, I'm going for phonetics, I'm sure Tiff will tell us :) and I actually love them! With the awesome gift of hemeroids after giving birth recently, it's great. And "that time of the month" (I am a g-rated site and the word period is kinda gross, ew), it's nice as well. TMI, I know. But I am sharing about things around here, shedding light on subjects I have before been unfamiliar with. And yes, I have been shot right in the face - TWICE - by the bideh. It takes a second for the water to start and the spray to start. Note to self: Do NOT stare into basin while waiting for water to start. Ew.

There is at least one "hole in the ground" stall available in most public bathrooms, for squatting, and sometimes no toilets at all. And the bathrooms are always wet, because they also hose themselves off. Feet, legs, etc. I think they squat for convience more than anything. Men wear a white 'pajama shirt', I like to call it, called a Thobe. And women wear an Abaya, the black tent like dress. But for women, I can't see why it would be convienent. Unless they weren't wearing anything, which I am sure happens. And actually, men wear underclothing too, so really, I don't know. All I know is that I have squated enough times while camping to tell you that I'm not a big fan. I prefer a toilet, with a seat, toilet paper, and for it to flush when I'm done. Is that too much to ask?

One more for this post, I could write a book about weird things. But for now, how about the fact that "locals" live on the camp here. Strange? Not really. They are allowed to, if they are the right pay code and want to. They don't have to abide by any of the countries strict dress laws while on camp. And ...they can DRIVE! And they LOVE that. What's weird though? They DO wear their Abayas, cover their heads and wear veils - and STILL drive. Ever heard of bad drivers???? Imagine you put a black sheet on, cuffed it at the wrists, cut a tiny slit for your eyes, and had more fabric of our head covering hanging down. Now get in the car and drive. Scary, huh? Are you asking yourself why they are wearing this if they don't have to? Well. I hate to say it, but it's because of their husbands. He may allow them to drive, (and sometimes they sneak) but they have to do what he says. And that usually means, "no one sees my wife but me!" I've even seen women in the water at the beach with Abaya's on, so they can be out with their children. It actally makes me really sad for them. More on this later...

I'm going to a staged "wedding" tonight at the Womens group here on camp. I'm very excited. It's three hours, and I don't know much about it. I think they are going to do a traditional wedding, without the acutal binding of people. Which means, for sure, no men will be there. I'll tell you all about it. Don't let me forget my camera!