I came to the " Magic" Kingdom of Saudi-Arabia 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 path in Saudi-Arabia lead me first to find Islam and later to marriage with my lovely Saudi husband.
I am of course not a princess, rather I was nicknamed "Finnish princess" by my husband. But in the Magic Kingdom everyone can pretend to be one. 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.
I write sometimes about how funnily the Finnish and Saudi culture are like each others exact opposites. My husband and I have been learning how to combine those two and it has been an interesting and awarding journey so far. Our lovely little princess was born on a rainy day in Riyadh, which the locals say is supposed to bring good luck. We named our daughter after the sunshine that she brings into our lives. Some of my friends call her a true "love child" because she is so happy, content and ALWAYS smiling!
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. I write honestly about my experiences, the good and the bad.
I enjoy living in Saudi-Arabia and feel priviledged 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 have travelled to over 60 others so far. I hope to visit many more with my daughter and teach her 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". I try to also share with my readers tips on what to do in Saudi to fight the dreaded boredom.
One of my favorite activities in the Kingdom is visiting the desert. It's like entering a whole new world, so beautiful and peaceful right outside the crowded and noisy streets of Riyadh. My husband and I share a love for animals and nature. We have three cats which are like our additional little babies!
As an enthusiastic diver I feel lucky to be able to explore Saudi-Arabia's long stretch of untouched Red Sea coastline. One of my favorite animals are sharks, I love seeing them while diving!
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.
My interview on Tara Umm Omar's Blog: http://taraummomar.blogspot.com/2010/10/non-saudi-wife-of-saudi-interview.html
My articles on MidEastPosts: http://mideastposts.com/author/laylah/
Some of my photography appears on SaudiLife: http://www.saudilife.net/
Thank you for visiting and please leave a comment, I would love to read your feedback too! Read more about why I named my blog Blue Abaya here:
http://blueabaya.blogspot.com/2010/05/why-my-abaya-is-blue.html
Thank you!
There is nothing magic about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (sorry)
ReplyDeleteMagic happens when there are magicians to create it. Create your own magic...
DeleteI 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!
ReplyDelete-Lina
your blog is most interesting..congratulations. Just one question: how could your husband escape tribalism and marry a european woman?
ReplyDeleteThank 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!
ReplyDeleteYour Huge Fan
Wow your blog is so intriguing! I love having an insight into different cultures and I love your positive outlook.
ReplyDeleteThank 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 :)
ReplyDeleteThank 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.
ReplyDeletethanks JHENNIE I appreciate your comment very much :)
ReplyDeleteSalam! 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.
ReplyDeleteSalam 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!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! I'm your newest follower! =)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Texas- Thank you for following!
DeleteI'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 :)
ReplyDeleteopalkatze-thanks! Hope to see you around :)
DeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteF from Ottawa-Thank you I'm glad you like my blog :)
Deleteasalamu aleikum Laylah. great blog, interesting articles. u are definetely on my list of must check blog everyday :)
ReplyDeletelaylah, peace be upon you
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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*
ReplyDeleteReading 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. :)