Although my sister Amy left the coop a lot earlier than I did
(despite being four years my junior) I have always been over protective,
cautious on her behalf and wary of everything she does and everyone she
meets. I love her to bits and casually
act like her mother at every opportunity.
Somehow she still loves me.
A few months ago Amy announced that she was going to take a
job as a nurse in Saudi Arabia. I was
happy that she was going to go explore a new place, meet new people, have fun,
make money etc etc etc but was immediately petrified that she would be arrested
by the religious police for being a) too naked – Amy has a habit of showing her
elbows and ankles in public, b) too outspoken – I have NEVER known Amy to keep
an opinion to herself or c) too drunk – anyone who knows her will understand
this one.
I spent a year in Qatar and although I enjoyed it and met a
whole host of amazing folks I couldn’t stay any longer than the year because
the repression and misogyny was like a couple of concrete slabs strapped to my
back. I loved the children I taught and
had many a laugh with new friends but in trying to get involved in the culture
I realised that it was pretty much impossible.
I missed sitting in a cafe or in a bar without being mistaken for a
prostitute, I missed the freedom to express myself in whatever way I pleased
and I missed my liberty. Also bear in mind that Qatar is like Amsterdam in
comparison to Saudi. I do, however, take myself a lot more seriously than my
fun loving, generous, funny, open, care free, darling sister.
In the face of oppression my sister will laugh. In the face of misguided morality my sister
will stick her middle finger up. In the
face of an alcohol ban my sister will find a way to wake up with a hangover and
in the face of repressing her opinions and anger my sister will use skype!
