Equality among sexes in Libya? Yes, because now you have to pay attention to Libyan female pickpockets! This is what Khadijateri discovered yesterday when she went into a shop to buy some clothes. But Khadijateri was lucky indeed as she realized what was happening and used common sense.
“Now, I know for a fact that as a rule Libyans like to touch one another. They shake hands and kiss when they meet, but in public, with strangers, they avoid touching as much as possible. I said to Jenna ‘These women are not OK’ and I stepped back, immediately looking down at my purse. Of course the zipper was open and my wallet was gone.”
See how she did it here [1] …
On another topic Anglolibyan has written a post about our great Lebanese diva Fairuz, he calls her ‘Ambassador to the Stars’ [2]. For you fans out there, he has made an extensive compilation of videoclips and photos and dowloadable mp3 songs. Lucky Anglolibyan, he had the opportunity to see [2] Fairuz [3] in live concerts !
“The concert was held at the Royal Festival Hall besides the river Thames, we arrived on time but there was a slight delay because Fairuz had to be interviewed for the BBC 6 O'clock News because she actually broke the British recorded for the highest price paid for a ticket in British history, the record holder used to be Frank Sinatra who's tickets were sold at £600 each at the black market, Fairuz's tickets at the black market were selling at £1000 each! [sic]”.
Last week was of course Valentine and Libyan blogs were not immune from the love bug. Our literary and beautiful Libyan Sereeb provided us with a touching example from her highschool days [4]. Sereeb went to a mixed school in Libya in the 1980s and that was rare, but what is even rarer is for your teacher to encourage you to fall in love. Yes you heard that right!
“And our teacher says: “the shortest way to heaven is to fall in love. Fall in love kids, fall in love.”
The girls giggle shyly and the boys shout enthusiastically: “Oh yes, oh yes. You are right teacher (as if they really know, hehe), please tell us more.”
Damoon is over the moon about her fiancee [5], Mashallah ! She cannot believe that she picked up the winning ticket in the lottery of men and her love object turned out to be such a romantic and wonderful man. To see the card he made for her, go to her blog DaMoon [6] I'm sure you will join me in congratulating her and wishing them the best in life.
“to tell you the truth; I've alwayz had problems with the word “love” whether there is true love or not and up to day I don't believe in “Romeo and Juliet love”, what I believe in is loving someone means understanding, appreciating, accepting differences, working together to become better people, making mistakes and learning, being your complete self with your soulmate, and connecting in a different level. so in my case alhamduliallah meeting my fiancee made me fully experience the above feelings. I guess it all comes down to one thing, “soulmates” completing one another.
here is the card my fiancee got me… made me melt big time ..awwww..lol gurly stuff I guess!! so Valentine's day or not Valentine's day I know how much I love him :o)”
Highlander took the time to inform us that in Libya Valentine's day is celebrated despite the tips when measures were taken to prevent that. [7] She also has put up her favourite Valentine's Day posts from the blogosphere.
“I was listening to Allibiya FM two days ago and they were urging people to celebrate ‘the feast of love’ WOW !
I could not believe it; there was a time where the florists were prevented from opening on the 14 of February (can't remember which year exactly). It was a different regulation than in KSA where someone actually had a fatwa!( yes that's true). But the reason put forth in Libya was that it was not a celebration deriving from our traditions.
Anyway in Libya lovers and friends did not bother, girls wore red and guys brought them teddy bears and other stuff…”
Lebeeya brought up an interesting topic, hair ! Most Libyan females complain about how mshafshaf (dry frizzy) their hair is. The conversation was heated about the best way to remedy this [8]; even the Libyan guys pitched in with their advice to cut it short.
“My hair, when blow dried correctly (by a professional) looks sparkling. However, every time I attempt to blow dry it myself, it just looks like a mess. I just don't understand. I mean I was there, I saw her, I know what she did.. I am doing that too.. why doesn't it come out like hers? Instead, my hair literally blows up, all mshafshaf and out of control. It becomes a battle.”
It's also great to see Libyan bloggers meeting up, this time it was Libyano and A. Adam of Flying Birds. Evidently the Libyan bloggers are forming a big family of like minded people, some are young others young at heart, but they all have one thing in common an enthusiasm to let their voices be heard and to sharing themselves with the world. Isn't that what Global Voices [9] is all about ?
I'll leave you to enjoy what Libyano and A.Adam thought about each other here [10] and here [11].