What's immediately obvious is that social change is under way at breakneck pace in Saudi Arabia, writes Belinda Jackson, and those changes have a direct impact on travellers who choose to visit the country of 40 million
I'm standing in the queue at Jeddah airport, waiting to enter Saudi Arabia. Every one of the customs officials is a young woman clad in a uniform of black abaya, black headscarf and black face mask. Only beautifully manicured hands, and eyes outlined flawlessly in liquid eyeliner, are visible. In comparison, I'm a hot, sweaty mess, having just survived the scrum of an early morning flight from Cairo.
By submitting your email you are agreeing to Fairfax Media's terms and conditions and privacy policy. Prior to the changes of 2019, I would have been compelled to cover my hair and don an abaya, a long-sleeved robe that cloaks the wearer from neck to ankle: not having to do this is one of the most obvious changes to Saudi Arabia, as it positions itself as the last outpost for adventurous travellers.
We share a love of Arabian needlework, and I admire her ensemble."We have no need of abayas," she says,"but it would be very disrespectful to walk around in shorts and a tank top." For example, prior to December 2019, Saudi restaurants and other public areas had two entrances – one for men, the other for women and children. That rule abolished, every cafe I attend in Jeddah sees women and men sharing platters, shisha pipes and conversation until well past dark in this late-night society.
It's also positioned to lure youthful, wealthy and well-travelled Saudis to its riches – restaurants by renowned chefs, UNESCO heritage sites, grand-scale arts programs and adventure travel. And AlUla has adopted the international outlook that the Saudi jet set has come to expect from lives spent in the world's great capitals, from London to New York.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Anger as families of US detainees in Middle East left off Blinken call‘Infuriating’ exclusions made just weeks before Joe Biden’s Saudi visit and expected rapprochement with the crown price
Read more »
Anger as families of US detainees in Middle East left off Blinken call‘Infuriating’ exclusions made just weeks before Joe Biden’s Saudi visit and expected rapprochement with the crown price
Read more »
'Hard to find the words to say how sorry I am': Apology for abuse survivors Zoe and TiffanyA veteran of child protection says she can 'barely' find the words to say how sorry she is for the treatment of two sexual abuse survivors who weren't believed by authorities when they went for help. Sadly, one of those survivors will never hear the apology.
Read more »
Calls for beefed up biosecurity after tourist hotspot Bali confirms foot-and-mouth diseaseA livestock disease that could shut down Australia's meat and livestock trade has reached Bali, sparking calls for harsher border measures for those returning from the popular tourist destination.
Read more »
Inquiry hears of paedophile Griffin's 'red flags' while caring for teenage female patientA woman who — as a 16-year-old hospital patient was in the care of a notorious paedophile — says she remembers 'a lot of red flags' and is baffled why no one in authority did anything about it at the time.
Read more »
Women’s Euro 2022: our writers predict the winners and surprisesWho will take the Golden Boot? Who will be the breakthrough star? Our correspondents gaze into the Guardian’s crystal ball
Read more »