aspects of the Muslim culture and religion,
and the surprise at becoming acquainted
with Saudi women. I found many profes-
sionals in the field of medicine, education,
or worked in the business world and who
were committed to transforming the cou-
ntry within very strict social and religious
norms. They taught me that it is possible to
gradually find paths full of light. It should be
noted that more than 60% of Saudi women
have a college education and that most of
them complete their doctorate degrees.
What has this experience meant for you?
An unforgettable personal enrichment; true
friends, and sometimes more authentic
friendships than you could have if you your
destination were another country. It should
be borne in mind that you live with other ex-
patriates of all nationalities, foreigners who
are well-educated and very well prepared
professionally, that they also travel with their
families to live temporarily in Saudi Arabia.
Since I returned to Madrid, almost every
day, and I tell you that this is the truth, I
receive mail from the people who were my
neighbours, sings of affection from those
people that I found in Riyadh. I would say
that these are very solid friendships that will
last over time.
What aspects would you highlight?
Comradeship, understanding, generosi-
ty, friendship, help in times of need, and
greater complicity with my husband since
you spend a lot of time with the family and
spend many hours together. I would say
that a couple can become closer.
What surprised you the most when you
arrived in Riyadh?
The separation by sex of men and women
in public places, the rigorous garments that
they wear, the famous “abaya” a black tu-
nic made of very soft fabric which covers a
woman’s body. Many of the Saudi women
cover their faces completely and you can
only see their eyes. Western women do not
have to wear a scarf to cover their hair, but
they must to put on an abaya as soon as
they arrive at the airport in Saudi Arabia. I
personally had one made in Madrid, desig-
ning a black silk kimono.
What did you like the most and the least
in Riyadh?
The quality of all the items in their shopping
malls, the European life inside the com-
pounds, the trips to the desert at dusk, the
raising of Arab horses, the trips on holidays
to other Gulf countries (Qatar, Dubai, Oman)
and also to Istanbul) and again, the friends
and the intensity of personal relations. I
emphasise this idea since I was able to see,
as I had not ever in my life, how all the expa-
triates helped each other so that we would
not feel alone. In this respect, one becomes
very socially committed. When you gradua-
lly become familiar with Saudi surroundings
and families, you realise that they are very
good people, open, generous when they
welcome you, and very fond of Spain.
The heat was a negative aspect but, I must
say that the months from November to Fe-
bruary are almost like Spring and in Decem-
ber I had to buy some comforters at IKEA.
The night temperatures in the desert drop
sharply. The hardest are the sand storms
that cover the city and the summer heat.
How was your day-to-day life?
In my case, I had to attend to my social and
diplomatic obligations. Eight embassies are
situated in the Diplomatic Quarter, a very
international and active community since
there are always many cultural events: con-
certs, exhibits, conferences by invitation. I
also participated in forums of Arab women
which became a meeting point with the Ri-
yadh society. I was also a member of the
literary Book Club and also participated in
French conversation meetings. My invol-
vement in these groups drew me closer to
Saudis and that is how I was able to visit
their homes and meet their families. The
truth is, it was a good opportunity to impro-
ve my language skills. Saudis speak very
good English since their education is bilin-
gual. If a Spanish woman arrives in Riyadh,
she can organise a plan of activities and
courses that could keep her busy all day.
Do you think that the integration of a wo-
man in the life of Riyadh is possible?
If you have the will to do it, you can overco-
me the initial difficulties and have a very in-
tense life, both European and Arab. Having
a chauffeur can make travelling easier con-
sidering that after you drop the children at
school, the chauffeur is at your disposal to
attend to family needs. There is a wonder-
ful golf course outside Riyadh where most
Westerners go, and you can also find yoga,
Pilates, English, French and – why not? –
Arabic language courses.
When you gradually become
acquainted with the Saudi circles and
families, you realise that that are very good
people, open, generous when they welcome
you and that they are very fond of Spain
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