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Published: February 13th 2009
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A More Relaxing Day Off
Breakfast today was the specialty of house: waffles. They have about 12 giant waffle irons and everyone says they are the best. Well, when in Saudi Arabia, do what the Americans do: eat the waffles. So I had a huge waffle and a mug of coffee for about $2.00. The dinner plate sized pancakes are a $1 each. Not only does the Aramco compound look like 1959, but the prices match too. (Including the price of gas, of course).
After breakfast, Esbjorn (the unofficial tour leader with 20 trips here at 3 weeks per trip), Glyn (from Australia), and I went to Ras Tanura, which is another Aramco compound an hour from Dhahran. It’s similar to here, but they are right on the Arabian (Persian) Gulf. We spent about three hours walking the beach, where we were just about the ONLY people there. It’s about 70 degrees, but this is winter for them. I loved the smell of the salt air, the sound of the waves and the view of Iran (just kidding, it’s out across the gulf, but you can’t see it). I spent my time collecting shells (see photos) and just relaxing. It
Esbjorn and Glyn
This is the Aramco bus. You have to be a certain paygrade to ride the bus. Obviously it's not too high because I qualified! was a very welcome change. I took a bunch of photos, so I’m uploading those for your viewing pleasure.
On the way there, I saw lots of desert (notice the correct spelling this time!). Pretty much everything is mono-chromatic. I also had an ah-ha moment. When I was growing up in New York, the most popular gas station was Gulf. It occurred to me where they got the name. Well that realization only took 50 years. Duh. I also saw my first oil well. Somehow I keep thinking about Jed Clampett and the Beverly Hillbillies. All together now: There’s old Jed, now he’s a millionaire…
Upon returning, I did my first laundry. Confession: I had to have Glyn help me with how much soap, settings etc. Can you tell that Linda has spoiled me?. I multi-tasked by going over to the SAC center and loading the files I corrected last night.
Dinner tonight was lamb chops (most excellent), toubouli salad, hummus, and fresh pita bread (which I eat almost every night). And a Diet Pepsi.
Tomorrow’s agenda: SAC III.
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eve
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Home Ec 101?
OK, I would comment on the gorgeous beach and all the other great pics, but I still cannot wrap my brain around the fact that you don't know how to do laundry! Utterly speechless. I hope Glyn teased you mercilessly.