NOTE: TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS ARE PROPERTY OF PATRICIA CLARK TAYLOR. VIDEOS ARE BORROWED FOR THIS SITE AND ARE AVAILABLE ON YOU TUBE.
1976.
(PHOTO ABOVE) CAMEL SADDLE AND TENT IN SAUDI ARABIA
(PHOTO BELOW) RUINS IN THE ARABIAN DESERT.
RIYADH, WADI HANIFA, 1976
In 1976, I arrived in Saudi Arabia armed with my camera and pen and notebook. Over the next three years, I witnessed a world unchanged for 2,000 years guarded by an iron fisted regime committed to strict religious authority. At the time, I was grateful for the separation of church and state in the U.S. where America's Supreme Court had recognized the right of a woman to make decisions about her own body. It was a landmark decision that freed women at home and in the workplace.
Patricia, in 1976 in Saudi Arabia -- part of my global journey..so happy to be Western and free...so happy that some strict religious group did not control the American government.
LEFT: ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FAMILIES AT THE RIYADH CAMEL RACES. WE ALL WERE FREE TO DRESS AS WE PLEASED; GENERALLY WE WORE LONG SKIRTS, SANDALS, AND BLOUSES OR KNIT TOPS WITH SHORT SLEEVES.
LEFT: CHET AT THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS DESERT GOAT GRAB. IN 1976, AMERICANS POURED INTO SAUDI FROM EUROPE LOCATIONS AND THE UNITED STATES. THE JOB WAS TO REBUILD AND MODERNIZE THIS MIDDLE EAST, DESERT NATION. THE 1973 SAUDI OIL EMBARGO POURED PETRODOLLARS INTO SAUDI ARABIA. THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WAS THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR AWARDING AND MANAGING CONTRACTS.
BELOW" PATRICIA IN THE TAYLOR'S WADI HANIFA COMPOUND HOME
ABOVE: 1978, EGYPTIAN FRIENDS IN CAIRO...SOME OF THE VERY BEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD!
The writing of Unveilings, a Desert Journey began in the northern Italian seaside town of Tirrenia in 1973, the year of the first Saudi/Arab Oil Embargo. Three years later, in 1976, the writings move to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and later to Tel Aviv, Israel. One might say the writings were following the money!
Over the years, as Middle East events evolve, including 9/11, author Patricia Adora Clark Taylor develops her Middle East story, transporting the reader into exotic places filled with memorable people.
As events highlight realities one sees clearly through the prism: it's all about the oil; it's all about the money. Later, on Capitol Hill, it's all about keeping the oil flowing -- whatever the price...and preventing the development of solar energy in the U.S
Finally, looking through the prism, the author confronts her own realities...
photos below: Wadi Hanifa near Riyadh; Galilee; camels on the road in Riyadh.
