Comments on: An External Perception of Saudi Arabia through Aafke’s Eyes

By: Saudi Arabia: How Friendships are Formed aka The Story of Aafke Brouwer « American Bedu

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:07:31 +0000

[...] candid comments on American Bedu drew a following of its own and I simply had to interview her. The interview led to regular email dialogues between us and a virtual friendship formed. [...]

By: Aafke

Aafke — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:03:03 +0000

Om Aziz, When I say ”go to the desert and look for fossils and desert diamonds” I envisaged a caravan of at least six four-by-fours, half a dozen GPs-ses, three sattelite phones, ample watersupplies, radios, a couple of armed guards, helicopter standing by in case of emergency….
And some other precautions.

I am not really fond of deserts, and I was very much making fun of Carol the first time she offered the idea of a visit.
It’s only the promise of looking for fossils and crystals, and her descriptions of ”roughing it” at a desert camp, which make the concept a bit more attractive…

By: American Bedu

American Bedu — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:36:16 +0000

Om Aziz,

I assure you she would be well escorted! We all love her too much to put her at any kind of risk.

By: om aziz

om aziz — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:30:33 +0000

Aafke

if yu have opportunity to visit KSA the last thg i advise yu to do is to go by yourself to the desert looking fr fossiles and desert diamonds .

I sounds like the story of Alice in wonderland . Sorry i don’t make fun of yu , but honestly never heard that a woman goes accross the desert by herself .

By: Umm Ibrahim

Umm Ibrahim — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:17:43 +0000

I think I have been pronouncing it correctly then!

By: Aafke

Aafke — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:27:55 +0000

I was a bit apprehansive when actually seeing this interview on Bedu’s blog for real! But I’m glad to see only nice responses!
The pronounciation of Aafke is very difficult. Apparently. It’s a long Aaa like in Aleph, and then –fkuh. Very few English speaking people I know can pronounce it.

It was so great meeting up with Nader, and I was only sorry we couldn’t have spend more time together!
This has only wetted my appetite to meet more pople! Like everybody I am surprised, and am wondering how it is possible that you can get so attached, and care so much, about people you meet on the internet, And I think blogging is a very interesting and effective way to get to know people. I am sure you must eventually show yourself for who you are while blogging.

Perhaps we all are worried about our new mindset, our constant thought about our next posts! I am miffed right now because my photo’s for the next post didn’t work out!

By: American Bedu

American Bedu — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:57:18 +0000

Glad you enjoyed Umm Ibrahim.

Yes; we do manage to get our family members and friends involved in blogging. Usually near the end of each month I’m going around to those closest to me asking for suggestions on which to research and write!

By: Umm Ibrahim

Umm Ibrahim — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:09:34 +0000

Really enjoyed reading your interview Aafke and like Marahm am wondering if I am pronouncing your name correctly. Yeah I wonder about the important things in life!

I think most of us are up blogging into the early hours, have the computer starting up before the kettle has boiled and carry the camera everywhere ‘just in case’. I am a laughing stock with my kids these with comments like “Why are you always on your blog mummy?” “You only make things for us so you can blog it don’t you?” “Why are you always taking photos of your food?” “Oh-my-God, you’re going to blog this aren’t you?” Well, viva blogging!

By: American Bedu

American Bedu — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:14:29 +0000

You’re right Susie – bonds definitely do develop.

By: susieofarabia

susieofarabia — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:04:13 +0000

I don’t know what I would do here without all of you – I don’t think I could survive in Saudi Arabia without the bonds that I feel with my fellow bloggers. As Martha would say, “It’s a good thing!”