One of the reasons for beginning this project was the realisation that, for many people, there is a genuine misconception about life in this part of the world.This is in part due to western media and a portrayal of an intolerant middle east, war torn and Sharia law scary. I collected some comments from a public forum social media site which highlight some of the questions that expats get asked:
Do you have any electricity dear?
How do you cope with not being able to drive?
Do they have normal toilets or a hole in the ground?
You can't drink or wear a bikini?
You must be very rich?
No one speaks English?
What are you going to eat?
Can you go out without your husband?
Do you have to wear a headscarfe?
Where's chop chop square?
Aren't you scared?
The idea is to record 'normal' life, not the glamorous, elitism of the tourist adverts, but real life on the streets. I began with mapping and walking the city.
Do you have any electricity dear?
How do you cope with not being able to drive?
Do they have normal toilets or a hole in the ground?
You can't drink or wear a bikini?
You must be very rich?
No one speaks English?
What are you going to eat?
Can you go out without your husband?
Do you have to wear a headscarfe?
Where's chop chop square?
Aren't you scared?
The idea is to record 'normal' life, not the glamorous, elitism of the tourist adverts, but real life on the streets. I began with mapping and walking the city.