Fashion and LuLu

I am fascinated with the female dress here. I could watch the women and the variety of their dress for hours. I truly doubt that any 2 are alike. Black can be trimmed in all kinds of things.....even pink trim! The beads and sparkling rhinestone like settings truly beautiful. Different black material can be used as trim to add accents and lace is even used to accent the robes. The headdress can be attached or unattached and can be close to the face and hairline or raised in the back to add height. But the truly surprising accents are the shoes and the purses. The women lack nothing in fashion in that regard. Designer purses are everywhere - large and bold and attractive. Shoes are strappy or high heeled or sharply pointed and are colorful - pink and red sometimes! I am told I must have permission to take a picture of women. So, I am waiting for the opportunity. Perhaps once I get to know some women better, I will ask. The facial coverings vary substantially. Some cover their faces completely, others cover all but the eyes, some over the mouth and eyes and some only the hair and neck. Some keep covered always and others flip back the covering except when men come in sight. I am told the degree of covering depends on the husbands or fathers. I need to inquire further. They are heavily made up with penciled eyebrows, eye liner, eye shadow and mascara and all blemishes are expertly covered. Some have henna tatoos on their hands. Their black robes sweep along the ground as they walk, with absolutely no skin showing. They tend to stroll, not rush.

As you can imagine, the contrast to my style is amazing. I don't know how to stroll! My makeup is minimal. My purses are functional. My shoes are only stylish if my daughter helps me pick them out. As the wind was blowing yesterday, I noticed jeans beneath one robe. That looked more like my style! But mostly I notice the variety and stylishness of black and the dignity of the women. As you can tell, I actually have slowed down enough that I am looking around and noticing things I have not bothered to notice before. Like a breath of fresh air, I am enjoying it! Those women I have met have been warm and friendly - taking time to welcome me
ending our conversation with a greeting of "see you again, God willing" - my rough translation! The women and men are separated at the University. We have eaten twice on the women's campus, so this has given me a great opportunity to observe students here. J. can buy food on the women's campus, but we must eat in the faculty area away from the women. I can't wait to make some friends amoung the students!

The grocery store is a great time to observe the mothers. We go grocery shopping almost every night. We can walk, so the exercise is good and I love the chance to see new food and the people. Lulu means "pearl" in arabic, I am told. We were driven to Lulu last evening. Picture a super Walmart that is 2 stories high. The first floor is all food and the second floor is electronics, clothing, phones, watches. perfume, toys. There is nothing you cannot buy. Of course, you pay dearly for things imported from afar, so we looked mostly for arabic brands and fresh fruit and vegetables. The outside of the building is adorned with hanging lights of all colors and the inside entry way is lit up with balls of lights that glitter and hang light a giant chandelier. Security is everywhere making sure that no one is bumped while shopping - at least that what they appear to be watching for amoung other things. I was so fascinated by the lights that it was hard to keep my mind on shopping. We went with a Pakistani/American family and the girls said that shopping at Lulu helped them thru the Christmas holidays when they missed the lights in America! I can see why!
The store was packed - with all nationalities, shapes and sizes. I like my little ElMeera grocery store better, but this was a treat to see!

I am doing laundry now while J. is at the university. Actually, I am doing the same load of laundry twice since my free standing clothes line fell over and all the clothes got dirty the first time. For a housewife, I sure have a lot to learn.