Hot Times at Ras Tanura

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I don’t want you to think that my time here is a day at the beach. Well, actually I did spend today at the beach!

This morning Pat and I went to the “Hobby Farm” for breakfast. That’s in the Aramco compound, about 15 minutes away. Actually it always takes Pat about 45 minutes because he gets lost every time. And since we didn’t know how we came, getting back was a challenge too. Fortunately I had brought my beach stuff with me and we got to the bus with about two seconds to spare. Pat dropped me off, I boarded the bus, and off we went.

Ras Tanura is another Aramco compound that is about one hour northwest of Dhahran. The best part about Ras Tanura (at least for me) is that it has about six miles of beautiful beach along the Arabian Gulf (or as we would say the “Persian Gulf”). The bus takes you within a block of the beach. There is also a dining hall, swimming pool, and movie theatre there. I was joined by Adrian (from the UK), Glyn (from Australia), Don (from Minneapolis), and Werner (from Brussels). It’s a perfect thing to do on Friday because all of the stores and shops are closed all day on Friday (like the old US blue laws).

It was 102 degrees today (39 C.). I’ve heard that it was in the 80’s in Minneapolis, but this is more like Phoenix. However, walking along the beach was a slice of heaven. I’ve always said that 30 minutes of walking along the ocean on the beach is worth five years in psychoanalysis. It really recharges me.

It was much less hazy than when I was here in February, so the water was a beautiful blue-green. Unlike February there were other people on the beach. I saw people of all nationalities, but it’s always a bit strange to see Saudi women totally in black on the beach. And in 102 degree weather. That can’t be fun! I don’t think they make abayahs (the name of their outfit) in swim suit models.

We ate lunch in the Ras Tanura dining room. I had a great hot weather meal of pan fried Hamour (the very popular local fish that must be like the Saudi version of walleye), a cucumber salad, and a large bottle of water (note that foodies should be happy with this description and my mother should be happy with my healthy choices!).

This afternoon was filled with doing laundry. eve will be happy to know that I now am an expert at doing laundry. However, I did need Linda to explain when shirts that have dark and white stripes count as “whites” in my segregated laundry loads. I’m learning! And of course, the ever-popular PDI email was also on the agenda.

I’m meeting a couple of the guys at the Dining Hall in a half hour (I think tonight’s theme is “left-overs”) and I need to buy some more orange juice at the commissary. So big times ahead.

Tomorrow I’m organizing a group to Dammam, which I’ve never been to before. I have off tomorrow because it’s an “Aramco” holiday. But the best part of it being an Aramco holiday as opposed to a national holiday is that the stores will be open. But that’s another blog for tomorrow.

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Comments

[eve]

So....it's a DRY heat...
....as my parents in New Mexico always say. Ted the beach is gorgeous. Didn't any of you go swimming in the ocean? Where's the picture of this fabulous, healthy lunch? Totally LOL about laundry. Maybe a few more trips to SA and you'll have it down!

[TedTravel]

Dry Heat? Not So Much
Strangely, it's not really a dry heat; the Eastern Province of KSA (Kindom of Saudi Arabia) is actually humid. I noticed this in particular when I was in Khobar. When we walked to the coast where the jelly fish were, you could feel the humidity increase and my shirt got wet. People here tell me that in the summer it's not only Arizona-hot, but humid too. On another topic... OK, eve, I'll start taking some food photos. My sister requested food recaps too, so I will include more. I'm here to serve my blogging public!