First Full Day in Saudi


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Middle East » Saudi Arabia » Dhahran
February 5th 2009
Published: February 5th 2009
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Al Khobar

Al Khobar is on the coast. If this map saves the detail, you can see the causeway between Bahrain and Al Khobar. Dahrahn is about 30 minutes west of Al Khobar.

Out of Town PlateOut of Town PlateOut of Town Plate

What, no Minnesota loons or lakes?

Ba ba ba, ba ba Dhahan - Beach Boys



The Aramco compound, in Dhahran is about 30 in-land from Al Khobar. This evening I took the bus with another consultant to Al Khobar because two of the consultants are staying there (because of a shortage of apartments here). Al Khobar is a much larger town than Dhahran. It was great to get into the "real" Saudi Arabia, but it's disconcerting to see Applebees in Arabic (it is also in English; otherwise I would have no idea, of course). Applebees in Saudi Arabia is just wrong! They also have Chili's here, but I suppose that you won't see ads on TV for "baby back, baby back, baby back ribs." (Pork is not legal.) It's very disconcerting to see Applebees and men and women in flowing robes walking the streets. It's a real culture clash. Also, the busiest places are "transfer stations" which are stores that will wire transfer money to places like India, Bangladesh, etc. Many of the outside workers come here from those countries to support their entire family on what they make here.

In Khobar, we went to an "Asian" restaurant because the guys I was with didn't
HousingHousingHousing

The full-time Aramco employees live in townhouses like this.
want Middle-Eastern. Bummer. The restaurant was OK, but I wanted something more authentic. However, I did buy Hummus and Pita Bread at the local market and that was great.

I've learned my way around Pleasantville (i.e., the Aramco compound) and have found the dining hall, grocery store (see photo of Diet Pepsi can in Arabic), the library, coffee house, bowling alley (believe it or now) and the only movie theatre in Saudi Arabia (people without Aramco ID's cannot go in).

Two of the consultants are now here. Wolf lives in Australia, but is from Germany. Peng lives in Shanghai, but grew up in Los Angeles. He sounds very LA-ish and loves to tweak the locals. Wolf assures me that he knows not to take it too far.

I can see that it will be long days here because the end of the day brings the current emails from Minneapolis. It's good it's the weekend here (Thursday and Friday); I'm sure I won't have too much energy to do emails after the assessment center starts. Strangely, I think they actually expect me to do work during the day once the center starts. Go figure.



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Weird birdsWeird birds
Weird birds

If you double-click on this photo, take a look at the bird on top of the sign. That's no robin or cardinal. Get out the bird book please!
Diet PepsiDiet Pepsi
Diet Pepsi

I bought this today at the store. It's in English on the other side of the can. Many familiar products have Arabic on them. There are a surprising amount of US products here, but some of them are every expensive. However, a can of pop is only about 25 to 30 cents (one Saudi Riyal).


5th February 2009

Say hi to Wolf for me!!
OMG...I haven't seen Wolf in 6+ years - say a big hello and give him a virtual hug for me :-) Lovely guy with a delicious spin on the world. With all those in-house amenities, we may be lucky to coax you back again, Ted! Sounds like you're having great fun exploring. HJ
6th February 2009

A Starbucks on every corner?
Hey Ted~ Great blog! Sounds like you've really become acclimated quickly. The dichotomy between New-World luxuries and Old-World traditions must be a little strange. I'm looking forward to hearing more. Take care of yourself.
25th March 2013

Love reading your early impressions
It is fun as the culture reveals itself to you. And, can't imagine they want to get some work out of you.

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