Our purpose in liking the floor plan is different - we homeschool. In the front of the house we can maintain a certain atmosphere of scholarship, creativity, productivity, discourse, while the back of the house provides a place to play, cook, do laundry, be entertained. While schooling the older kids in the morning, my boisterous toddler can play, dance, growl, and wrestle in the back (which is exactly what he needs) without disturbing our thoughtful environment (which is exactly what we need).
As an aside, there are several other fascinating features of Saudi homes to note. Many homes have separate entrances for men and women. Also, many have maid or driver quarters, as foreign household help is extremely common here. Many have private courtyards with high walls for privacy and many have roof-top terraces for enjoying the cooler evening air.
It can be hard to move into a home that you have never seen before. We weren't sure how this home would or wouldn't meet our needs, but God has given us a good home. We are content and ready to welcome any adventurous friends who'd like to visit!
