Women In Black

The black dress you will see all Saudi women wearing is called an abaya.

Historically, it has not always been black, but made from all different colors. Only in the past thirty years has the style of the abaya changed to black, a fashion that all women accept, but now it comes with a modern design. 

I see all different moderation that include beads, gems, embroidery and different types fabrics. 

You have to look closer than from a western perspective to see them.

It’s all about the accessories.

I knew they all wore this black garment, but I did not realize that they wore it over their real outfits. Everyone here, when they take off their abaya, looks like an American. The similarities in fashion are uncanny. There are even Saudi hipsters. I love it.

Staying at Steineke Hall

A resort fit for a king’s least favorite in-law

Steineke Hall offers an adult-dorm atmosphere with little to no support from an uninspired international staff. If you ask the front desk for anything such as places to eat, where to visit, or how to get anywhere, they are more than happy to give you a blank stare and tell you to go help yourself. Don’t expect to get around Dhahran easily because the bus comes only twice a day and taxis are never available. The laundry service is unbelievable. You can be sure to have your clothes slashed to pieces and, if you’re lucky, get someone else’s freshly pressed pants delivered straight to your door. For the first three weeks of my stay I enjoyed the sound of a jackhammer drilling a hole through the sidewalk right outside my window. Sightseers can still visit the hole as work seems to be completed by abandoning any intention of filling it in or doing anything with the large machinery sitting next to it. 

The quality of this photo is comparable to the food served here.

Steineke Hall: Where house keeping comes promptly at 7am, the water is contaminated with sulfur, and the Internet always fails when you need it the most.