2006-07-30 - 16:39
I'm pretty used to seeing the girls in headscarves. Even long sleeve dresses, but I hadn't seen any women who covered their faces and wore the black burka. Now that we're at a huge hotel in the middle of shopping malls and touristy-ness they're everywhere. And the kids wear bright colors and sneakers, but beside them are shrouded women. And at least for me the objective of not being stared at has been completely missed. I am fascinated watching women eat with both hands. One hand to grab a dainty bite of food, the other hand to push her veil up a bit. I stepped into the elevator and found myself surrounded by these ladies. I know it's just cloth but you try it! They're all staring at me in my immodest t-shirt and i think i'm surrounded by angels of death.
Elaine and I went to the national mosque on our own, and i see now why they didn't put it on our tour. I thought my hoodie would be good enough (it worked in turkey); Elaine had a scarf to cover head and arms. No dice. The wardrobe guard gave her a purple robe and me a headscarf, and we sweated through the rows of white pillars discussing the role of women in islam. If men and women both covered up it would be weird but fair. But I keep seeing the burka beside a guy wearing sleeveless shirt and shorts in the hot sun, and it makes me want to slap him.
