Desert Reflections

These accounts are taken from an American girl's diary as she grew up amongst the nomads in the 1950's and 60's in the fresh air of the desert. All new topics are listed at the top.

Topics
Far Better Teachers

"... and while there are some that criticize my parents allowing me to run wild as they expressed it amongst the Bedu and sands of Arabia, I learned at an early age to have a work ethic and it has enriched my life ... they were far better teachers than some who could read and write."
Time: 3:30

Desert Rules

"The sands of the Arabian desert are usually thought of as a neverending line of dunes that hold a certain sense of mystery of the people and animals that dwell there."
Time: 3:00

Ever Lasting Native Culture

"Even the West, has lost most of its native culture ... not so in Saudi Arabia."
Time: 2:36

A Man Named Mubarak

"This man, I learned, was the eldest male of this particular tribe of Beduin. He was shown the upmost respect and honor. He was believed to be about 80 but no one knew for sure. He had navigated by eye and memory longer than anyone could recall."
Time: 5:19

My Father is No Longer a Beduin

"I considered him a great success and in Western terms he would have been, but as he explained he was a symbol of all the potential young men: backward Beduins going to the West to find fortunes and Ph.Ds. 'How wrong we all were,' he added. That most of the young men feel like failures."
Time: 4:07

As He Who Will Not Listen

"This is one Westerner who knows the desert people and yet when I try to explain the roles of men and women and the five pillars, a deaf ear is turned to me. It is true: None so blind as he who shall not see. None so deaf as he who will not listen."
Time: 2:32

Hajj, A Revisit

Our friend tells us of another Hajj experience.
Time: 3:46

The Long Journey Home
It's time to return home back to the United States of America.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Primitive is in the Perspective

One of the greatest tragedies of modern day America and the West is that they know almost nothing about the people of the land that affects their lives and the lives of pratically everyone else on Earth: the Muslims.
Time: 4:54

Nowhere Else on Earth

No where on earth does the sun rise with such beauty and grandeur as a sunrise in Saudi Arabia.
Time: 2:34

What is Lost, What is Gained?

Westernization versus the tribal honor ideal. To give into modernization or stand true to one's ideals?
Time: 6:08

Incense So You Will Return

Since before recorded history man has been attracted to the smell of incense.
Time: 4:20

Greetings of the Bedu

Hospitality is an inward feature and tradition in every sense of the word. It is also a refined art.
Time: 4:45

10,001 Arabian Nights

Our friend returns to tell us if the myths of the 10,001 Arabian Nights are true or false. Want to find out?
Time: 3:35

Hajj
Listen to the meaning and significance of Hajj in the Bedu culture through the author's words.
Time: 4:35

Ever Changing Home of the Bedu
In Bedu culture, hospitality is not only a part of their tradition but also a way of life.
Time: 3:54

Returning Home
Now having lived in America for many years, the authors shares her experience returning home to the Bedu.
Time: 6:01

Art of the Deal
In Bedu culture when it comes to bargaining and dealing goods and other intangible items the actions involved are truly an art form.
Time: 3:23

The Pure Human Nature of Kids
Now living on her own in America, the author shares with us an enlightening experience when members of her Bedu family visited her.
Time: 2:13

Aramco Racism
To a little girl growing up in the Desert of Arabia, racism is unheard of; but when her American friends join her in the Aramco compound, she feels confused about their arrogance and prejudice toward the native Saudis.
Time: 4:06

The House of Hair
Joining her adopted Bedouin family, this piece is about the writer's excursions through the desert and her experience enjoyed by the natives. This is a descriptive talk on the the lifestyles and habits of the Bedu culture.
Time: 6:30

Personal Struggle Between East and West
Now an adult, the author shares her reflections on her own struggle in adjusting between Eastern and Western norms as well as how the country itself had Americanized.
Time: 3:51
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These accounts are taken from an American girl's diary as she grew up amongst the nomads in the 1950's and 60's in the fresh air of the desert. All new topics are listed at the top.

Topics
Far Better Teachers

"... and while there are some that criticize my parents allowing me to run wild as they expressed it amongst the Bedu and sands of Arabia, I learned at an early age to have a work ethic and it has enriched my life ... they were far better teachers than some who could read and write."
Time: 3:30

Desert Rules

"The sands of the Arabian desert are usually thought of as a neverending line of dunes that hold a certain sense of mystery of the people and animals that dwell there."
Time: 3:00

Ever Lasting Native Culture

"Even the West, has lost most of its native culture ... not so in Saudi Arabia."
Time: 2:36

A Man Named Mubarak

"This man, I learned, was the eldest male of this particular tribe of Beduin. He was shown the upmost respect and honor. He was believed to be about 80 but no one knew for sure. He had navigated by eye and memory longer than anyone could recall."
Time: 5:19

My Father is No Longer a Beduin

"I considered him a great success and in Western terms he would have been, but as he explained he was a symbol of all the potential young men: backward Beduins going to the West to find fortunes and Ph.Ds. 'How wrong we all were,' he added. That most of the young men feel like failures."
Time: 4:07

As He Who Will Not Listen

"This is one Westerner who knows the desert people and yet when I try to explain the roles of men and women and the five pillars, a deaf ear is turned to me. It is true: None so blind as he who shall not see. None so deaf as he who will not listen."
Time: 2:32

Hajj, A Revisit

Our friend tells us of another Hajj experience.
Time: 3:46

The Long Journey Home
It's time to return home back to the United States of America.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Primitive is in the Perspective

One of the greatest tragedies of modern day America and the West is that they know almost nothing about the people of the land that affects their lives and the lives of pratically everyone else on Earth: the Muslims.
Time: 4:54

Nowhere Else on Earth

No where on earth does the sun rise with such beauty and grandeur as a sunrise in Saudi Arabia.
Time: 2:34

What is Lost, What is Gained?

Westernization versus the tribal honor ideal. To give into modernization or stand true to one's ideals?
Time: 6:08

Incense So You Will Return

Since before recorded history man has been attracted to the smell of incense.
Time: 4:20

Greetings of the Bedu

Hospitality is an inward feature and tradition in every sense of the word. It is also a refined art.
Time: 4:45

10,001 Arabian Nights

Our friend returns to tell us if the myths of the 10,001 Arabian Nights are true or false. Want to find out?
Time: 3:35

Hajj
Listen to the meaning and significance of Hajj in the Bedu culture through the author's words.
Time: 4:35

Ever Changing Home of the Bedu
In Bedu culture, hospitality is not only a part of their tradition but also a way of life.
Time: 3:54

Returning Home
Now having lived in America for many years, the authors shares her experience returning home to the Bedu.
Time: 6:01

Art of the Deal
In Bedu culture when it comes to bargaining and dealing goods and other intangible items the actions involved are truly an art form.
Time: 3:23

The Pure Human Nature of Kids
Now living on her own in America, the author shares with us an enlightening experience when members of her Bedu family visited her.
Time: 2:13

Aramco Racism
To a little girl growing up in the Desert of Arabia, racism is unheard of; but when her American friends join her in the Aramco compound, she feels confused about their arrogance and prejudice toward the native Saudis.
Time: 4:06

The House of Hair
Joining her adopted Bedouin family, this piece is about the writer's excursions through the desert and her experience enjoyed by the natives. This is a descriptive talk on the the lifestyles and habits of the Bedu culture.
Time: 6:30

Personal Struggle Between East and West
Now an adult, the author shares her reflections on her own struggle in adjusting between Eastern and Western norms as well as how the country itself had Americanized.
Time: 3:51

Desert Reflections @ Radio islam.com

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