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Writer's pictureCharline Ribotta

First Raw Impressions Of Saudi Arabia


I drove to Saudi earlier than planned. The Dakar Rally was taking place on the other side of the UAE, and I couldn’t miss that.


I heard and saw so many things about the Kingdom, and it was quite scary. And when I decided to overland the Middle East solo, friends, family and some of you, were extremely worried for my safety.


‘Charline please don’t go to Saudi, it’s very dangerous’.


Why do some parts of the world keep being boycotted? Why so much lies? Why are Arabs and black communities constantly blamed? Will this stop one day?


Saudi Arabia has become my favourite country of the Middle East so far, and surely one of my top 3 favourite countries in the world. Why? Because I feel safe here. I feel respected. I feel protected. I feel happy. I feel free. YES! I feel FREE in Saudi Arabia. Do you think media will trust me? Or will they continue lying and building ignorance?


I can tell you one thing: this solo travel across Africa and the Middle East has taught me TRUTH. And there is NOTHING more powerful than truth. And only spreading truth can reunite us all. Because truth leads to tolerance.


However, lies feed fears and fears feed racism. This needs to stop once for all. We need to wake up. And to realise that our differences are our most beautiful hope, asset, and strength!


Now or NEVER.






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