In all honesty, I've found that things are not all that different here than at home. Yes, I cannot drive, but the taxis are reliable and once you find a good driver it's not difficult to get around. Abby and I do get some stares when shopping or in public, but I really have not experienced any hostility or anything that would make me feel too uncomfortable. Abby has not really been phased by the women in black. She loves talking to them, and even more loves when they give her kisses and hugs, and especially when they give her gifts, balloons and chocolate.
The products are different, but you can find the basic things, minus pork and alcohol. You just have to search between the different stores to find the products. Last night while shopping we managed to find sargento cheese cubes, however, 1 bag was 75SAR which is roughly $20, so we passed! :) But we can find the basics and what we can't find, I've learned to adapt. Bread here is not quite the same, so I've started baking bread on the weekends for the week. Ground beef is not readily available, but you can have the butcher grind up beef when asked, and it's similar, at least I was able to make a meatloaf for dinner the other night :)
Abby and I have been very fortunate to meet so many new friends and some very extradorinary people. Abby has already had several play dates and has made a new group of friends from Pakistan, Canada and Finland. We've met some amazing ladies and been on some great shopping trips to downtown (Old Yanbu). The shops are small but they have great deals and some of the more American things we're used to. It's so funny, we've found Christmas garland, a nativity set, christmas lights, cookie cutters and wrapping paper in these tiny little shops in what you would think would be the most conservative part of town!
Our house is coming along and we're starting our garden as well. Very excited to have the outside of the house looking a bit more like a yard instead of a desert. Abby has a small pool and a swingset as well. The house itself is getting settled. We are still waiting for some furniture to arrive, which is not uncommon and probably the hardest thing to adjust to. NOTHING moves quickly here. Patience is a must. And the word "inshallah" or God willing is the first thing any expat learns.
We've been very fortunate as well to learn more and more about the culture. Yesterday Abby and I took a tour of the women's college compliments of a friend who is head of the continuing education department there. The women's college is brand new and is amazing. You walk through the doors and the ladies who are normally all in black have shed their abayas for more westernized clothing. However, there are strict restictions on clothing. Long sleeve shirts only and pants or skirts that are at or below the ankle. The girls are average age 17-21 and are typical teenagers/college students. This is the only English speaking women's school in the country. Enrollment is aproximately 2000 students and they come from all over the Middle East to attend. There are currently no dorms, so the girls stay with family and friends. Some do commute up to 2 hours a day to attend. The college offers 3 degree programs, Business, Engineering and IA. They take an intensive first year of English studies as many of them enter with little to no English. It is a whole other world from the outside and the stories the students have are amazing.
All in all, I have to say it's nothing what I expected. I feel very safe here. Crime is low. I do have to wear an abaya when outside our gates, but I do not have to cover my hair. Men do not speak directly to you, which takes some getting used to, but it's actually out of respect and against Islam to look a woman in the face. However, they are very nice to Abby and quite a few have either lived or studied in the US and are good about talking to you and making you feel a bit more at ease as we adjust. We have a crazy social calendar and are busy almost every day. The women's gym that I go to has babysitting and is normal. No abaya there. I can work out in longer pants and short sleeve shirts. I listen to my ipod and do my thing. It's actually really nice, a little bit of an escape in the morning and the gym has a very nice pool, along with a library with some English books.
All in all, we're doing pretty good. Every day gets a bit easier and we're adjusting to our new life pretty well :). I promise I will post some photos of me in my abaya soon. Just building the anticipation! Until then, below are some pictures of our trip to the beach. Honestly, felt like Mad Max was going to show up anytime on the drive there. But the Red Sea was gorgeous. Even got to go out and see some coral reefs!