As a group of 25 teachers, we have always wondered whether or not we would see the "real" Saudi Arabia - good, bad, and ugly on this trip.
So far, we've seen mostly good (which we expected) but we certainly have been free to talk about the bad and the ugly.
Yesterday, three of us went for an unescorted walk for two hours around Jeddah with the blessings of our Saudi hosts. Today we want to do the same thing.
We have talked about the following issues so far: women's rights (driving, marriage, divorce, clothing, education) and the Annapolis peace conference between the Israel and the Palestinians and the Saudi sentiment.
We will press for more access and discussion. So far, I've been surprised with the honesty of our Saudi hosts in not trying to pretend this country is in any way perfect.
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5 comments:
Mr. Joe,
When you walked around Jeddah what did you see? Was it fun? I would like to walk around Jeddah to see how people in Saudi Arabia lived. Wheere you nervous when you walked around Jeddah?
-Brandon McCann
You have a good sense of trust. I'm pretty certain that you're being guided to the "good", but I'm surprised that you have been able to "go off" on your own. Continue to see, hear and experience as pure an experience as you can. Be safe; you're in our prayers.
Love,
Rick/Dad
do any of the women have jobs saudi arabia
how many teachers on the trip are female
(this is nick using my dad's acount again)
When you talked about the rights of women does that mean they do not have any rights?
Aaron
Mr. Joseph,
Do the visiting woman teachers have to cover their face and body when going out into a public area?
Did you see any female drivers while on your walk?
- Benjamin Kue
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