Some years ago we were stationed in Jeddah. We had almost weekly convoys leaving from the embassy to spots on the Red Sea two hours either north or south. The further away from Jeddah, the fewer prying Arab eyes. One particular week, we had set up our tents and grills (and hiding the "tea"). A pickup full of Saudis pulled up about 100 yards from our group. The men waded into the shallows wearing their "thobes," long Arab gowns. The women followed them by about ten paces, and they were fully covered in the black abaya. It was usually in excess of 100 degrees there, with a humidity to match. Other Saudis would try to get near our encampments to gawk at our ladies in their bathing suits.