Mixing with royalty!
A weekend includes ...21 total reviews
Comment from juliaSjames
You made this a fascinating and enjoyable chapter, Wendy. I can imagine how, over the passage of years, events tend to meld except for certain instances that stand out. The beautiful princesses are like storybook creations which, to some extent, they were. The hot cold water was amusing. Solar power working without solar panels.
Just one typo
"discretely disappeared" - "discreetly disappeared"
Looking forward to the continuation.
Stay safe and blessed, Julia
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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You made this a fascinating and enjoyable chapter, Wendy. I can imagine how, over the passage of years, events tend to meld except for certain instances that stand out. The beautiful princesses are like storybook creations which, to some extent, they were. The hot cold water was amusing. Solar power working without solar panels.
Just one typo
"discretely disappeared" - "discreetly disappeared"
Looking forward to the continuation.
Stay safe and blessed, Julia
Comment Written 01-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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Thank you so much Julia for your encouraging comments, and for picking up the spelling. I'm glad you are enjoying it.
Wendy
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you're welcome!
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
This sounds like a rich and full lifestyle Wendy and to a certain extent you were protected in your circle from the reality behind the regime in Saudi. I am glad you were able to experience these wonderful events and bringing them to us here in this write, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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This sounds like a rich and full lifestyle Wendy and to a certain extent you were protected in your circle from the reality behind the regime in Saudi. I am glad you were able to experience these wonderful events and bringing them to us here in this write, love Dolly x
Comment Written 01-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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Yes you are exactly right, a very insightful review. We had a rich and full lifestyle indeed, and yet a lifestyle within our compound that we were used to. So it was a good balance.
Wendy
Comment from Verna Cole Mitchell
As always, I was fascinated by your adventure. It must have been completely unforgettable to mingle with Saudi royalty. You described them very well--made me wish I'd been there (just long enough to see them)
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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As always, I was fascinated by your adventure. It must have been completely unforgettable to mingle with Saudi royalty. You described them very well--made me wish I'd been there (just long enough to see them)
Comment Written 01-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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Thank you Verna - such a lovely review. I am glad you are enjoying the stories about our life over there - that's very encouraging.
Wendy
Comment from barbara.wilkey
This was fascinating to read. Thank you so much for sharing this culture with us. It's good to learn about other cultures. We get, usually, learn to appreciate ours more. Not always the case through.
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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This was fascinating to read. Thank you so much for sharing this culture with us. It's good to learn about other cultures. We get, usually, learn to appreciate ours more. Not always the case through.
Comment Written 01-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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Thank you Barbara for your thoughtful review. I'm glad you are finding the stories interesting. That's very encouraging to me.
Wendy
Comment from Sally Law
Expertly written, Wendy dear. I apologize for no six today. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip and had a pleasant experience. Not everyone has had this. I think of Washington Post journalist, Jamal Khashogg. The outspoken and those not dressed properly are dealt with harshly. Looking forward to the next one.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sal XOs
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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Expertly written, Wendy dear. I apologize for no six today. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip and had a pleasant experience. Not everyone has had this. I think of Washington Post journalist, Jamal Khashogg. The outspoken and those not dressed properly are dealt with harshly. Looking forward to the next one.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sal XOs
Comment Written 01-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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You are quite right - they are very strict, and speaking out is not welcomed. Some of our experiences were more difficult as will be seen, but there was a lot to appreciate as well. Many thanks for your thoughtful review. I am glad you are enjoying the stories.
Wendy
Comment from Father Flaps
Hi Wendy,
I enjoyed your essay on life in the ovens of Saudi Arabia. It was very interesting. Some things that stood out for me...
taking quick showers using only the cold water tap
the hidden beauty of the Arab royalty
the real reason why women wore abayas was to hide their figures & beauty
male dominance over women
the fashion and gold the princesses wore
that Bibles were permitted in the country
You mentioned kookaburras, kangaroos and wallabies, galahs and cockatoos, but not the koala bear. There was a story this morning on one of the New England TV channels (I'm in New Brunswick, Canada) about how forest fires of 2019 and 2020 in Australia killed up to 1/3 of the koala population.
Nicely penned! Thanks for sharing what it was like living in Saudi Arabia. I sure could never handle the blistering heat. It would be worse than being imprisoned. You can dress for the cold, but not the heat.
Hugs,
Kimbob
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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Hi Wendy,
I enjoyed your essay on life in the ovens of Saudi Arabia. It was very interesting. Some things that stood out for me...
taking quick showers using only the cold water tap
the hidden beauty of the Arab royalty
the real reason why women wore abayas was to hide their figures & beauty
male dominance over women
the fashion and gold the princesses wore
that Bibles were permitted in the country
You mentioned kookaburras, kangaroos and wallabies, galahs and cockatoos, but not the koala bear. There was a story this morning on one of the New England TV channels (I'm in New Brunswick, Canada) about how forest fires of 2019 and 2020 in Australia killed up to 1/3 of the koala population.
Nicely penned! Thanks for sharing what it was like living in Saudi Arabia. I sure could never handle the blistering heat. It would be worse than being imprisoned. You can dress for the cold, but not the heat.
Hugs,
Kimbob
Comment Written 01-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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Hi Kimbob, thank you for your very thoughtful review, and I am glad you are continuing to enjoy the stories. You are right about the koalas. Millions perished in the fires, which were our most catastrophic on record. There were massive rescue attempts and some survived after weeks or months in the koala hospitals. There are big projects to replant trees with the special eucalyptus leaves they like, so that the ones who survived don't starve to death because so much of their habitat was destroyed. I didn't mention them because they are very shy and remain well hidden high in the branches of gum trees - so we didn't actually see them as much in normal day to day life. But driving in the country one would frequently see the kangaroos and wallabies, and the birds are frequently heard even in suburbia in areas with plenty of parks, like where I am. We live near a national park so we often see kangaroos and wallabies roaming too.
Wendy
Comment from Paul McFarland
Very interesting piece on the ways and customs of the Saudi people. Looking forward to more pieces like this. The hot water problem was a big surprise to me.
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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Very interesting piece on the ways and customs of the Saudi people. Looking forward to more pieces like this. The hot water problem was a big surprise to me.
Comment Written 01-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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Thank you Paul. Yes, it was one of those little things that we actually had to be quite careful about, especially with young children. I am glad you're enjoying the stories. I appreciate your support.
Wendy
Comment from Carolyn Dooley
That would be one heck of an experience. And to see those women remove their veils and dressings. I do not like heat, and that is worse than Vegas. The woman in the picture is lovely. And maybe the men have them to wear to keep other men from looking at them. Thank you.
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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That would be one heck of an experience. And to see those women remove their veils and dressings. I do not like heat, and that is worse than Vegas. The woman in the picture is lovely. And maybe the men have them to wear to keep other men from looking at them. Thank you.
Comment Written 01-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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Thanks so much Carolyn! I appreciate your review greatly. At least the heat was very dry heat, which is much more tolerable than heat with high humidity. The interesting thing is that men do not show any outward signs of affection to their wives eg holding hands, but it is not improper or unusual for men to walk around holding hands! (And they weren't homosexual, it was just the custom)! I must mention that at some point.
Wendy
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You are welcome.
.
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Well written.
The early settling Pilgrims of New England attempted a religious rule. They were nearly as rigid as your Saudis, or the Taliban. It couldn't stand the influx of immigrants, or the independent nature of their own adherents.
Myself, were I to try to live in Saudi Arabia, I would most certainly be beheaded.
Best wishes.
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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Well written.
The early settling Pilgrims of New England attempted a religious rule. They were nearly as rigid as your Saudis, or the Taliban. It couldn't stand the influx of immigrants, or the independent nature of their own adherents.
Myself, were I to try to live in Saudi Arabia, I would most certainly be beheaded.
Best wishes.
Comment Written 01-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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Oh dear, don't go there then! In reality, beheading is only for extremely serious crimes or continual offences. The crime rate is therefore low. We felt pretty safe there. Thanks so much for reviewing - I always appreciate your support.
Wendy
Comment from John Ciarmello
Sensational, Wendy. Informative and inspiring. A different way of life for sure. I wonder if the men are truly worried about another lusting over their women or have their customs taken the momentum? As a westerner I'd label it as an insecurity, but I know there is more to it than that. What an interesting read. Loved it.
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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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Sensational, Wendy. Informative and inspiring. A different way of life for sure. I wonder if the men are truly worried about another lusting over their women or have their customs taken the momentum? As a westerner I'd label it as an insecurity, but I know there is more to it than that. What an interesting read. Loved it.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 01-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2022
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Thank you so much John. I think it's probably a combination of both. Because of their religion they despise women (eg in many western countries) who reveal much or most of their body, and feel it dishonours Allah, as well as causing men to sin in their thoughts, and sometimes actions. I enjoyed reading your thoughtful comments. Many thanks for following the stories. Hope you continue to follow and enjoy them.
Wendy