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Category Archives: Travel
Riyadh Still in my Heart
Nineteen years after my repatriation, I am finally able to return to Riyadh. I’ve got someone who is able to secure my visa, I’ve got a place to stay, I’ve got the time and the money, and even my health … Continue reading
Things Are Not the Same
My metaphorical Riyadh retains its character as the years pass, while the actual Riyadh evolves. My friend of many years still goes back and forth. She tells me about the ongoing construction, the ever-increasing concern with security, and the simple conclusion … Continue reading
Return to Riyadh in Southern Italy
In July of 2013, I spent three weeks in Italy visiting relatives and attending the wedding of my cousin’s daughter. Again, for the third time, I felt so much at home there that I was loathe to leave, except for the fact … Continue reading
Do Not Lie to INS!
Fatma first entered the United States on a visitor’s visa late last year. She had recently gotten married in Jordan, and her husband had relocated to the United States after obtaining his “green card.” At the time, I wondered why … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Immigration, Life, Politics, Travel
5 Comments
Return
My blogging break has lasted more than a year. I’m not sure it’s completely over yet, but tonight an urge stirred, an urge to reconnect with my readers, the blog world, and ultimately to an aspect of myself that wants … Continue reading
Posted in Depth Psychology, Life, Saudi Arabia, Travel
7 Comments
Reverse Culture Shock
Reverse Culture Shock {Also called “Reentry Shock”} A few days ago, my cousin paid me a compliment. She said,”I think your years in the Middle East have caused you to lose touch with mainstream America.” I had been worried that I had … Continue reading
Posted in Islam, Life, Memoir, Saudi Arabia, Travel
Tagged Arabic Language, covering, Cross-Cultural Communication, culture, customs, language, psychology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, society, Travel
16 Comments
Split Personality, or Double?
Split Personality, or Double? I stayed in Riyadh an entire year before returning to the States for a vacation. As the day of departure approached, time seemed to slow down; I was so eager not only to see my family … Continue reading
Posted in Islam, Life, Memoir, Saudi Arabia, Travel, Writing Memoir
Tagged culture, psychology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, society, Travel
14 Comments
Christ Stopped at Eboli– The Arab Connection
Christ Stopped at Eboli– The Arab Connection Italian language is a big part of my life these days. My study of it originated in Riyadh, in 1992, after I returned from my first trip to Italy, where I met distant … Continue reading
Posted in Art and Literature, Italian, Life, Politics, Saudi Arabia, Travel
Tagged Cross-Cultural Communication, culture, customs, Islam, Italian, Italy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Travel
12 Comments
A Downpour in the Desert –My Hajj Story
A Downpour in the Desert –My Hajj Story Most Hajj stories focus upon the sense of awe and inspiration that arise upon gathering in Mecca with thousands of Muslims from around the world, to perform one of the five pillars … Continue reading
Posted in Hajj, Islam, Life, Memoir, Saudi Arabia, Travel
Tagged Hajj, Islam, Mecca, Religion, Saudi Arabia, Travel
13 Comments
Spring Cleaning
Spring, and inspiration from http://www.uniquemuslimah.wordpress.com has encouraged me to continue the project I started recently, the project of removing clutter from my bedroom, in order to create a serene space. This morning I tackled the three boxes of photographs that have … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Memoir, Saudi Arabia, Travel
Tagged cleaning, clutter, photography, serenity, soul, Walt Whitman
2 Comments
Marahm 