‘Blue Abaya’, blue is the colour of the Finnish sky, and the abaya is a cultural norm of Saudi Arabia. In its name and its nature, the blog is defined by the richly opposed but co-existing worlds that the author is part of, and the best and worst of which peppers her real and virtual space.
Layla's writing has a distinct character to it, detailed and diary-like. She has a very strong personality that comes across quite forcefully in her writings – witty, unforgiving in her sarcasm, sharp in her observations but aggressively positive in her conclusions. Between her spirit of forward motion, and her signature bite is the spice that marks her writing. Reading her blog, one traverses two regions equally mysterious to many – Finland and Saudi Arabia, and her blog pierces the mystery of both lands to offer us a window into both cultures through the eyes of somebody who embodies them both to some extent." -Naima Rashid
Read more about why I named my blog Blue Abaya here:
http://blueabaya.blogspot.com/2010/05/why-my-abaya-is-blue.html
DISCLAIMER: This blog contains humor, sarcasm, irony and satire. If you are humoristically challenged, you might have trouble reading some posts. If you're not sure whether a post is sarcastic or not, it probably is :)
MY JOURNEY IN THE MAGIC KINGDOM
I came to Saudi-Arabia many years ago to explore this extraordinary culture and to work as a nurse in a large hospital in Riyadh. My work has given me the opportunity to meet many wonderful Saudi families and have a close look into their culture, traditions and lifestyle.
My plan was to stay in Saudi for a year, maybe two but destiny had other plans for me..I met my Saudi husband one unexpected day at work. Read how our love story began here. We now have two beautiful children, a little princess and prince and reside in the Kingdom's capital Riyadh. Life with two under 2-year old's is hectic but I could not ask for anything more. I feel very blessed to have found such a wonderful man who has become the most amazing father and husband. Read more about our children here:http://blueabaya.blogspot.com/2012/11/we-love-you-baba.html
Humor and sarcasm are very much a part of my blog, I've found them invaluable friends in this sometimes unforgiving environment. I try to look at things from the positive side and it has been helpful in adjusting to life in the Kingdom as a western woman. Check out tips on how to make your life easier as a woman in Riyadh: http://blueabaya.blogspot.com/2010/06/western-woman-in-riyadh-make-best-of-it.html
Life in Saudi can be tough at times but also very rewarding. I like to write about things I see happening around me in my work and free-time to give some insight to what the everyday life is like here. When I first came to Riyadh people told me how there's so much to do here, but I soon noticed, nobody knew exactly what or where these places were. Through Blue Abaya I aim to provide valuable info on things to do in Riyadh and around. I share with readers events, places of interest, best restaurants, hidden gems and more here and on Blue Abaya Facebook page.
I enjoy living in Saudi-Arabia and feel privileged to be able to experience it. I've always loved exploring my surroundings, travelling and learning about different cultures. Before coming to Saudi I lived in six other countries and traveled to 59 others so far. Check out where I've been here: http://blueabaya.blogspot.com/2013/01/where-ive-been-and-where-im-going.html
I hope to visit many more with my children and teach them to respect other cultures and religions.
Life in Saudi is what you make of it. Keeping active and getting to know the Saudi culture and locals are the keys to a happier expat existence in Saudi-Arabia which many expats refer to as the "sand box".
Like any country in the world, KSA has its problems. Many of them are related to women's rights and I tend to focus on them because oppression of women anywhere in the world and women's rights has always been a subject that interests me. I might sometimes be critical in my posts, but most of what I write is with a touch of sarcasm in it, not to be taken overly seriously.
I think that in the end, your home really is where your heart is. Saudi-Arabia has many restrictions but it also offers many opportunities to those who seek them.
BLUE ABAYA INTERVIEWED
Arab News: http://blueabaya.blogspot.com/2011/09/blue-abaya-interviewed-by-arab-news.html
http://www.arabnews.com/node/390963
OnaOnaOna Polish Women's magazine: http://www.onaonaona.com/styl-zycia/kto-kryje-sie-za-zaslona-czyli-kobieta-w-arabii-saudyjskiej/
Arabiya Saudyjska: http://arabiasaudyjska.blogspot.com/2010/10/obce-zony-saudyjczykow-laylah-z.html
InterNations Expat Community: http://blueabaya.blogspot.com/2012/10/internations-expat-community.html
JeddahBlog: http://jeddah-blog.com/2012/06/06/a-bonny-blithe-blue/
http://jeddahblog.livejournal.com/73868.html
PHOTOGRAPHY AND ARTICLES PUBLISHED ELSEWHERE:
Design, Creativity and Culture: an orientation to design, August Black Dog of London 2011
Women's Web: Travel the World with Kids: Riyadh http://www.womensweb.in/articles/travel-mom-kids-riyadh/
Women's Skills Bureau Newsletter, February 2013
RIYADH'S HIDDEN GEMS-THE DIPLOMATIC QUARTER GARDENS
http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1107647512759-41/WSBNewsletterFinal-Feb2013.pdfWomen's Skills Bureau Newsletter, March 2013
EXPATS GUIDE: JANADRIYAH CULTURAL HERITAGE FESTIVAL WITH CHILDREN
http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1107647512759-43/WSBNewsletter-Mar2013.pdfWomen's Skills Bureau Newsletter, April 2013
Rawdhat Khuraim, The King's Forest
Women's Skills Bureau Newsletter, June 2013
TEN POOLS IN RIYADH TO COOL OFF IN THIS SUMMER!
Destination Riyadh March 2013, 1st ever issue
AL QARYAH AL-NAJDIYA-THE NAJDI VILLAGE RESTAURANT
Destination Riyadh April 2013
TOP TEN THINGS TO DO AT JANADRIYAH FESTIVAL
Destination Riyadh May 2013
USHAIGER HERITAGE VILLAGE
Destination Riyadh June 2013
LAKE KHARRARAH PARK AND HIFNA WATERFALL
MidEastPosts:
Saudi-Arabia: Roads Not Paved In Gold For All: http://mideastposts.com/2013/01/saudi-arabia-roads-not-paved-in-gold-for-all/
Saudi Salary Racism: http://mideastposts.com/2012/07/saudi-salary-racism/
Saudi Schizo-Votes One Day, Lashes The Next: http://mideastposts.com/2011/09/saudi-schizophrenia-votes-for-women-one-day-lashes-for-driving-the-next/
Lingerie In Saudi-An End To The Humiliation? http://mideastposts.com/2011/09/lingerie-in-saudi-an-end-to-the-humiliation/
Time To Re-Think On Tourism In Saudi-Arabia? http://mideastposts.com/2011/09/time-for-re-think-on-tourism-in-saudi-arabia/
SaudiLife:
The Real Saudi-Arabia: http://saudilife.net/photo-blog/102-riyadh/29277-the-real-saudi-arabia-janadriyah-festival-2012-28-pics
AWARDS:
Bloggie's 2012 Best Asian Weblog Finalist: http://blueabaya.blogspot.com/2012/02/12th-annual-weblog-awards-nomination.html
Expats Blog Awards Gold Medal 2012: http://www.expatsblog.com/blogs/566/blue-abaya
Blue Abaya blog love testimonials from readers:
Blog Fan Mail-Hall Of Fame: http://blueabaya.blogspot.com/2012/12/blog-fan-mail-hall-of-fame.html
Thank you for visiting and please leave a comment, I would love to read your feedback too!
Thank you!
37 comments:
There is nothing magic about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (sorry)
I Love your blog!Thank you for writing it and you must be one strong woman too to be able to live there!Dont mind the negative loosers^^ they are just jealous!
-Lina
your blog is most interesting..congratulations. Just one question: how could your husband escape tribalism and marry a european woman?
Thank you for this blog its one of the most interesting ones about Saudi out there. You are funny and honest and I like your positive attitude! Keep up the good work and congrats on your baby!
Your Huge Fan
Wow your blog is so intriguing! I love having an insight into different cultures and I love your positive outlook.
Thank you for sharing, I look forward to reading more.
anonymous-my husband is a brave man he went against all the tribal "laws" when he married me :)
Thank you to "huge fan" Im glad you like my blog!!
Peggy-Thanks for visiting and your comment too :)
Hi, I really love your blog, I've been investigating a lot of the KSA since I fell in love with a Saudi, and To be honest I'm a bit afraid about the culture but your writings has given me hope, tahnk you so much for showing me the bright side.
thanks JHENNIE I appreciate your comment very much :)
Salam! my name is Isabella. i just moved to Riyadh with my husband (who works here, originally from Jordan) I'm from the U.S. i have to say, you've really given me HOPE. the first time i came here last summer, i was SO DEPRESSED, and i was hit hard by culture shock. i'm still trying to adjust, but your blog has really lifted my spirits and inspires me to be positive. this is a gift that i am SO THANKFUL to you for. I finally feel like i'm not alone in this strange world.
Salam Isabella! I'm very touched by your comment! I am so glad I could give you hope and make someone out there feel better :) Feel free to email me if you need anything I would be glad to help!
Love your blog! I'm your newest follower! =)
I've been to a greater part of the arab world but ever refused to go to Saudi. Nevertheless, it's nice to hear of it and to see your wonderful pictures. Greetings from Germany :)
I just discovered your blog and love it! I have been following Susie of Arabia for years as life in the KSA intrigues me, but you post more often, so I'm switching to you as of today! Thanks for the beautiful pics! F from Ottawa, Canada
Greetings from Texas- Thank you for following!
opalkatze-thanks! Hope to see you around :)
F from Ottawa-Thank you I'm glad you like my blog :)
asalamu aleikum Laylah. great blog, interesting articles. u are definetely on my list of must check blog everyday :)
Magic happens when there are magicians to create it. Create your own magic...
laylah, peace be upon you
I hope you are well with your husband and little princess. I like your high spirit, it is really remarkable! you see saudi arabia in a way I myself can't do. I am a native saudi man, a beduin. And you know what I think ?
The face of saudi arabia , My homeland, is a painful picture, in fact too painful to contemplate.And speaking about islam, in this particular time saudi arabia is not doing any good to islam. the true islam is far away from what is going in here.And waht is really funny is that in many places around the world it is really a bless to be aware BUT here in my lovely country awareness is a curse because you see all the wrong things and you can not do any thing while the ignorant who is not aware of anything wrong is really happy !!!
and to add a final word, do you know what is the natural result of awareness* here? It is depression. The more I know the more depressed I become.
I hope someday you will write about how to keep a high spirit in saudi arabia since you are really high spirited.
thank you and may GOD bless you and your family
*awareness = I mean here having knowledge or perception of the true situation in regard to all aspects of life.
Your blog is very interesting, intriguing and insightful.I have really enjoyed it and hope to continue with it.
I am interested in learning about the people, language and culture of the Arabs,and especially of the Saudi Arabians. I would like to know all there is to know about them. Someone once told me that in order for me to know about them I have to live among them. Well, until then I will have depend on this blog and the net in general. If anyone would like to volunteer and help me with this process I will appreciate it very much.
OMGGG you like sharks! *hyperventilates*
Reading your blog is one of my favorite past times. Yours is one of the only blogs I regularly check. Your writing is too funny, and our senses of humor are so alike. I love the sarcasm and witty remarks that you make and appreciate them very much. :)
I am so glad I found your blog! :)
I am moving to Riyadh in August (6 weeks from now actually) from Australia, I am both excited and nervous.
My husband has been there for a year so has already experience life in Riyadh.
We have just enrolled our son into the British school - I'm really hoping it is a nice school, it's been hard enough trying to get him to like school in Australia!!
I actually came across your blog while trying to find an online shop where I could buy an abaya from, for when I arrive! ...Funny where google leads you sometimes! (I've had no luck in finding a site to buy an abaya so far, do you have any suggestions on this?)
Thank you for sharing your experiences and photos - very, very helpful!!
Rosie
Your blog is informative, fair and blanced. I agree that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a magical place. A Magical Place for the Saudi Nationals and Westerners like you and me. But for the thousands of poor labourers and Maides, it can be at times cruel and unforgiving place, specially if their employer is bad as many are here. There is no legal recourse or if it is one, the justice takes too long. True magical place will be the day they take seriously the issue of labor violations and women's rights..two things that require a government will.
Hello,
What about the "zoo" of Riyahd ? And the petition ?
Do you have answers from the Saudi Authorities about the future of the animals?
Thank you
Love ur open-mindedness. Have a nice life.
Greetings from Egypt =D
I thought Finland was a Nordic country but not Scandinavian, which is used for Denmark, Sweden and Norway only. Is that not the case? (I am Danish)
I don't know if you've explained this anywhere on your blog, but I was wondering how your family felt about you marrying a Saudi man? I've heard so many horrifying stories of foreigners marrying Saudi men and then the Saudi men stop being charming and become something else entirely. Then, when the marriage ends, they take the children back to Saudi Arabia and the women can't do anything about it and never see them again. And then there's the polygamy laws, and the unequal divorce laws, etc etc... I would be very unhappy with anybody in my family marrying a Saudi man because of the lack of rights women have in Saudi Arabia. Did you have to persuade them it was OK?
Sophie
you bring hope to me
I'm Saudi man, going to marry Finnish girl, i was thinking how can she adopt the life style here, your blog can help a lot
wish to get the permission from the government (very soon)
then you will have a friend in Eastern region of Saudi
Hi,
I just arrived from france to live in KSA and i discovered your blog when i was searching information on the princess souq cause i'd like to go tomorrow.
Very nice blog, congrats!
Sabine
Salam I love your blog. You actually gave me hope that a marriage can work between a Saudi and a westerner. I am half Polish and I am engaged to a Saudi. Inshallah our marriage will be in summer. May Allah bless you
Layla, What an absolutely beautiful blog you've created. I can tell already that i'm going to be wandering around in it for weeks on end. You provide such an incredible insight into your life. Thank you. Wishing you all the best, Terri
Thank you all!! Really appreciate all the positive feedback, means so much to me :)
Nothing compares to hands-on exposure, when navigating through the unwritten rules of how to survive in a Saudi culture. Everyone has their own survival kit and moral compass. The trick is to win the endless eternal debates of what to accept and reject when a new Saudi skill is presented. Does necessity justifies morally questionable acts? Do redefining moral borders include selfish harmful behavior? Currently, common sense is an abstract concept outside my personal comfort zone. A zone I claim influenced by both Saudi and American cultures. The plague of being known as the soft American dad who can't handle the Saudi jungle (more like desert) follows me everywhere.
I find your insight(as many others do) on my culture comforting and balanced between appreciation, criticism and wonder. Thank you
Thank you Luay for the kind words I truly appreciate he thoughtful comment.
"Blue is the color of finnish sky".
How would you describe the color of the sky in Riyadh, white? :P
anoxx- mostly beige, sometimes orange, yellow, white or grey because of the dust :p
ok, it's blue sometimes too :)
I am so happy to find your blog! I am moving to the Eastern Provence with my husband in a few weeks to teach. This is a valuable source of information!
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