About me: My name is Michele, and I’m originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. I have an advanced degree in Economics and worked in Washington, DC for 17 years, before moving with my husband, Bishara, and two miniature poodles to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where we lived and worked from 2000 to 2004. Bishara, and I lived in Doha, Qatar from 2004 to 2017. I worked for Shell Oil Company in Qatar before becoming a published writer relating intercultural experiences between the Arab world and U.S./west. My published works have appeared in magazines in the United States, England, and Qatar.
About this website: I created a blog so my readers can find out more about what it’s like to live in the Arabian Peninsula through my eyes (at least). Since my time in the Arab world was such an ”eye opening” and life-enriching experience I felt compelled to share it with others. If you are interested, you will find a separate page with links to my published articles.
Follow me on Twitter: @MicheleShbat, Partner @Desert_Horizons
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this blog (www.arabianmusings.wordpress.com) in any medium without permission from the author is prohibited. All rights reserved.
Musings on Arab Culture 
Hi Michele,
I met you on the flight from Dulles to Doha a few days ago. I am thrilled to read your blog. I am recommending it to friends and family both in US and here. Thanks so much for sharing it with me. I am looking forward to cooler weather in Qatar to explore more souks. I hope to see you around town.
Kay Tucker
Many thanks for your kind feedback, Kay! I appreciate you sending my blog along to your friends and family. Yes, it would be wonderful if we could meet up!
Wow, you are leading such an interesting and adventurous life…at least through my eyes. You commented on my FP post a couple months ago and, being a procrastinator, I am just getting around to visiting the blogs of my nice commenters. Thank you.
Thank you, Candace, for visiting my blog and for the good words! . . . Yes, I remember your beautiful photos of the red rocks of Sedona! My husband and I have visited a couple of times, and really love it!
I’m glad I stumbled upon this blog–it’s kind of like the one i write on the Middle East, except I don’t live in the Middle East anymore. I only lived in Cairo for 2 months (besides going back several other times) and I regret that it was short, but I am waiting for the country to adjust itself before ever living there again. You’re lucky you have a career that has brought you there. Anyways, greatblog–you got a follower in me!
How great that you lived in Egypt for a couple of months, and that you are interested in going back! I’d love to read your blog about your time in, and perspective on, Egypt! Really appreciate you visiting, and following, my blog!!
Guten Abend.
Schöner Blog.
Freundliche Grüße, Wolfgang.
Vielen Dank, Wolfgang!
Danke für die Antwort.
Klick auf das Bild in unseren Blog: Es sind PPS + Wmv zum Runterladen.
Würden uns um Kontackt freuen. + Antwort. Danke.
Freundliche Grüße, Gisela und Wolfgang.
Ihre Bilder sind schön, Gisele und Wolfgang! Freundliche Grüße, Michele.
Danke für das Schreiben,Michele in Deutsch.Ich kann nur Deutsch, Antworten. Aber ich habe Übersetzungs-Programme, da kann ich alle Seiten Übersetzen.
Wir machen gerne Fotos, Reisen gerne um die Welt.+ Weiteres von der Natur und unserer Heimat.
Diesen Blog Word Press haben wir etwa 3 Wochen.
Vorher hatten wir viele Jahren einen Blog in Belgien.(Seniorennet) Bei unseren Favoriten sind nur wenige Freunde Eingetragen,da wir am Anfang Starten mit Word Press. Weiteres kommt dazu.Dauert etwas—.
Erstellte pps von uns, etwa? 200 Stk. Wmv, zu viele. Unsere Mail Adresse findest Du in PPS am ENDE der Presandation. Anklicken, und Schreibe bitte.
Wir sind Freunde und hoffen auf ein Nachricht. Danke.
Freundliche Grüße, Gisela und Wolfgang.
Gisela und Wolfgang.
It was a wonderful experience reading your blog and knowing about the Arab countries from this close. would love to follow your blog.
Appreciate the kind words! Thank you for visiting, and following, my blog!
Hi Michelle and Bishara,
I’m enjoying reading the blog and hope Ronni and I will be able to see you the next time you’re in the States.
Phil
Hi Phil,
Very glad to hear you are enjoying my blog. Really appreciate your support! Yes, it would be wonderful if Bishara and I could meet up with you and Ronni this summer when we’re in the States. All the best to you both!
Michele
Thanks for visiting my blog and liking my post. I read several of your articles and enjoyed their insights very much. Marie
Thank you, Marie, for the kind words! I like the premise of your blog, and love your writing style!
Hi Michele,
I just wanted to say hi again and let you know that I am continuing to enjoy your blog and wind up smiling every time at how familiar they sound to my experiences. I also wanted to nominate you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award, for helping to bring that cultural perspective to the world. The details of it are at http://markingtimelivingwar.wordpress.com/blogging-awards/. Thanks for sharing your stories!
-Kathleen
Hello Kathleen,
It means so much that you nominated me for the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award,” especially since I think so highly of your blog! Your writing has helped inspire me, and has played an important role in illuminating the TRUE lifestyle, traditions, and challenges of those who live in Afghanistan. Keep up the wonderful work! . . . I will certainly keep reading!!
Also, major congrats on being “Freshly Pressed”! Well deserved.
All my best!
Michele
Okay the german guy is my favorite — somewhere Oma is laughing her head off!
Yes, Amanda, Oma would love it!
I have to ask you this q Michele..what place is the background picture (of your blog) taken in ? it is very fascinating …jordan ?
It is Petra in Jordan! . . . An intriguing place!
indeed..very fascinating. thanks for Sharing !
Michelle – there is an interesting story in National Geographic this month about guest workers in the Gulf States. I thought you might be interested if you haven’t seen it yet.
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2014/01/guest-workers/gorney-text
Excellent article, Jeff! Comprehensive, objective, and fair. Many thanks for sending along!
Hello Michele, I just discovered your Musings on Arab Culture and am really enjoying the read. It’s a little bit of a trip down memory lane for me as I was in Riyadh from 1987 to 1991 working at the Military Hospital which was at that time known as “RKH”. My husband and I left in the first week of the Gulf war as things were a bit too scarey for me as we were living close to the Air Base. Still, I loved my time in Riyadh and would not have missed it for the world, a true experience which in many ways has shaped and enriched my life. Thanks again for sharing your story. Ma’asalamma!
Hi Maureen, very glad to hear you are enjoying my blog, and to hear you had such a life enriching experience when living in Riyadh. I feel the same, my time in Saudi Arabia was a time of incredible self exploration and personal development. Many thanks for your feedback! Shukran!!
Hi Michele, Thank you for sharing this on your blog. I just found it and I am really enjoying the read. This must have been a very enriching experience. I am a photographer based in Dubai and your blog is a mine of information to me. I am highly interested to go and visit Tihama, Asir and the region on the border with Yemen. Are the Flower men accessible ? Any information you could share is welcome. Shukran and Salamat
Thank you for your interest in my blog, Jack! Yes, our time in the Asir region was incredible; an incomparable experience. My sense is that the Flower men are friendly, however, if you want more detailed information about these men I would recommend that you contact Eric Lafforgue, http://www.ericlafforgue.com/infos/ . I contacted Eric, myself, when doing research on the Flower men for my article, “The Highlands of Saudi Arabia: Unexpected Delights in Abha,” and he was quite helpful. All the best on your project!