My visa came today! I'm going to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for six weeks to teach video production workshop at an elementary school there. If you have an interest in this part of the world, I will be posting a daily journal on Ning: Journey to Jedday
I'd like to get some names and numbers or emails of Saudi women educators or business people to contact while there. If you know someone, or know someone who might know someone...you know, please forward contact information to me.
I can't say I'm looking forward to the polyester black shroud I have to wear while in public, but I will be able to wear normal Western clothing at the school and the compound for foreigners where I will be staying.
At the same time, there are some courageous Saudi women who are doing their best to change things for other women, including the King and some other members of the royal family. So I hope to meet them and to help with girls and women's education if I can.
I've spent some time in the Middle East, including Iraq in 2003, a week after the US invasion, so I know something of the area. But Saudi Arabia has always been a mystery, so I'm interested to see it for myself.
Wish me luck and good travels! ...
Thanks, Roadette