I'm Here!

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We arrived at our accommodation about 21:30 (Riyadh time) and have been settling in today.

The flight was 6 hours of absolute comfort (no! Not business class), the plane was only half full so we could sit together and spread ourselves out. The food was excellent (included ice cream and a salad) and the crew were always coming round with hotcold drinks (soft and otherwise).... I met Pauline and Eileen at the airport and they're a good pair. Pauline and I have been paired to share a flat!

The flat - where shall I start!!! 2 double bedrooms with walk-in closets, we flipped a coin for the end room as that has a full-sized en-suite (Pauline got it) but I'm not missing out. The rooms are the same size and I have a bathroom accross the landing. we have ample quantities of shelving, drawers and hanging space inthe rooms and there's also a wlk-in clost in the hall-way that we're using for shoes/bags etc.

The communal areas are very comfortable and well furnished (a bit bland but we can do something about that)! There's a living/dining area (sofa, coffee table, chairs and dining table) and the kitchen is slightly separated from it by a small wall. The kitchen is OK, large frige/freezer, large cooker, large microwave, large DISHWASHER(!) and loads of cupboards, including a walk-in larder!

There was food waiting for us though not a huge amount that we would have chosen....
Maxwell house coffee (large jar)
Coffee Mate (large jar)
Tea (large box)
about 100 sachets of sugar
4 packets of corn flakes
Peanut butter
"Salad" mustard (large jar!)
jam
bread
butter
darylea cheese
little milk cartons (vanilla flavour)
tropical fruit juice....

we had one hamper each!

I think so far the only negative thing I can say about the accommodation is that the appliance are VERY dated and the electrics a little dodgy. The air con works (though we don't have control over it and ended up cold overnight) rather enthusiastic.

We've been for a walk around this morning and bought an Abaya each - which we need if we go off the Hospital site. The temperature was 20 degrees C when we landed and is a lot hotter today - especially in the sun! It's a dry heat though so it's not oppressive but this is their WINTER!!!!

We're just about to go swinning in our out-door swimming pool - too hot to go shopping yet - we're popping to the supermarket later.

We have our General Nursing Orientation starting Sunday, so until then, our time is our own.

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Photos

My room
I have a walk in wardrobe as well as drawers and desk space

View from my room
Into the centre of the complex looking over the swimming pool

Comfy Sofas
Tired but comfy sofas in our living area

Our dining area
standing in the living area, the kitchens just there on the left

The kitchen
Not easy to photograph. A triangular shaped kitchen with serving counter. It's equiped with loads of cupboards, walk-in pantry, dishwasher, large fridge/freezer, large cooker, large microwave.... but only one pan and no sharp knives

TV
from the sofa area looking towards the kitchen