From East to West

Yesterday I travelled from KSA to France, where I am going to stay for two weeks. Travelling from Dammam, KSA (while I usually travel from Bahrain), felt like I was literally taken from a world and transfered to a whole different one. Last thing I recall, I was wearing an abbaya, seating at a very austere airport gate, reading a conservative magazine (there were about 3 magazines in English to choose from at the airport). Once on board the plane, I fell asleep, and next thing I know we were landing in Amsterdam. Suddenly all the Saudi ladies covered in black abbayas and niqabs who had boarded the plane with me were gone! They were now very nice ladies dressed in colouful western clothes (but still respecting hijab: head scarf, long sleeves). Oh, and the weather was pretty cold too. And it was pitch dark until 9am... And that's how I noticed I was in Europe!

Yeah, like Alicia Keys would actually wear
a t-shirt and a pair of leggings underneath
her dress... I guess Arab women do think
leggings are in fashion this winter...

These are times where I realize that they're really two completely different worlds, and with time, I sometimes find it difficult to adapt back to my world. Europe is where I was born and raised and lived most of my life, however I sometimes feel that I'm forgetting the social codes: I no longer know what's normal, or acceptable, or rude! For instance I tend to struggle a lot with dresscodes: is my skirt too short? Is it appropriate, is it modest at all? Should I cover these shoulders? When I look back at pictures and see how I used to dress in Mexico, I now find it quite indecent! Or I don't know when it's appropriate to say "hi" anymore: to a neighbour, shop assistant, random guy passing by? Kissing in the street is another one: in KSA we have to refrain from kissing in public, although holding hands is generally accepted. But being in Europe, it's just so much public display of affection all over the place! (just reminds me I had to explain that concept to 6th graders last week: that was fun! - no actually, just nervous giggles)




Anyway I think both worlds have great things to offer, it's just too bad we can't get the best of both. And if I had to choose between here or there, the choice probably wouldn't be as obvious as it seems.
And that's one of the reasons why:

Nantes, a beautiful city, but why the heck does it have to be raining all the time???