Summer is a very hot time. The weather today is 43 Celsius or about 110 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is pretty consistent for the entire month of July and August. During the summer teaching is a little more relaxed, especially during Ramadan. My work day starts at 9:00 AM and ends around 3:00 PM. During normal hours it starts around 7:30 AM.

As I am a woman, whenever I go out I put on an abaya (long black robe). It is required by law. Many western women choose not to cover their hair when outside though. Since I cannot drive I always have to think of how to get a taxi to different areas of the city or get my husband to drive me. A group of teachers and I chose to eat out last night. There was a total of four of us.

The ladies arrived to pick me up in the taxi. Women are not allowed to sit in the front of the taxi, so all four of us crammed into the back seat. It was quite uncomfortable. Saudi Arabia enforces strict gender segregation.

We chose to eat “iftar” as a group at Outback Steakhouse. This is a popular U.S. restaurant which is here in Saudi along with Chili’s, Applebees, Dairy Queen and Krispy Crème Donuts. Iftar is when Muslims break their fast with a meal. Restaurants often have specials at this time. For around $15, we ate a main entrée (steak pasta, hamburger and fries or chicken breast), soda, yoghurt drink, vimto (pomegranate syrup drink), soup, salad, samosas, dates and ice cream with chocolate sauce.