Senator Bev's Saudi Arabian blog

Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009 (Greenfield)

This is the first of what I hope will be frequent blogs over the next two weeks about my trip to Saudi Arabia. Actually, this is the very first blog I have ever done and this entry is a dry run to see if I followed instructions correctly in setting it up.

As a refresher, I am part of a fourteen member state legislative delegation leaving Oct. 28 for Saudi Arabia. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) was invited by the Saudi Embassy to bring a delegation to Saudi Arabia as guests of the Saudis. We are a diverse delegation – balanced geographically from across the U.S., a balance of men and women and Republicans and Democrats. We will be traveling with two staff members from NCSL and two individuals from the Saudi Embassy in D.C.

Last week we had a conference call briefing from the U.S. State Department and also a human rights organization. The human rights issues are especially important for the women in our group since the status of women in Saudi Arabia is quite different than in the U.S.

My challenge now is packing - we are to wear conservative business attire. The temperatures should range from 75-95 degrees so no heavy coats! No rain coats or umbrellas either! We only have to cover our heads when entering a mosque.

Our visas were expedited and have arrived as has a large briefing book and our airline tickets. There will be a total of eight different airline flights during the trip.

Some of the taboos in our briefing book were do not pass food with your left hand (it is considered unclean) and do not cross your legs so that the soles of your shoes show – this is offensive to the Saudis.

Our visa instructions were to not bring any of these items into the country as they are banned: narcotics, alcohol, pornography and pork (so much for my breakfast bacon and wine with dinner).

This mission is principally about building relationships and promoting trade. It is my understanding that it is the first in what will be several exchanges over the next few years. (For those Indiana taxpayers who fear this is being paid for by your tax dollars – no we are there as guests of the Saudis at their expense and invitation.)

As I write this on Sunday, Oct. 25, I have laryngitis with absolutely NO voice so hopefully by Wed. it will be back although the thought of a politician with no voice is appealing to a lot of people.

If all goes well and internet connections work as we have been told they will, I will be back with you later in the week.