Moonbaby Travels [موونببي] أسفار

My Blog has Moved

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:13:00 +0000

My new blog address: Just click the link below:

http://moonbabytravels.wordpress.com/

I think that you will find the layout and the presentation much more appealing. Also, you can leave comments more easily! Thanks for your support!

Stay Tuned

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 03:56:00 +0000

I am in the States but I will be back to posting soon! No later than the first week of Feb. Thanks!

Culture

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:27:00 +0000

This week I had the opportunity to fly to Abu Dhabi and on my flight I was seated with a very large Arab family, approximately 20 people. The gentlemen must have been 85 years old and he had several women with him. Many commented that they were his wives, and I do believe that two of them were but perhaps the rest of daughters. I had never seen so many family members on a flight before but I also was able to observe the culture aspects of family more closely. The family was very attentive to the older gentlemen needs but it was the relationship among the women that intrigued me the most. The younger women were very quick to administer to the needs of the older women and to their own mother. My flight was disturbed by two daughter seated near the front of the aircraft that spend their whole time in the aisle checking on their mother. They would help her with her headdress,bring her snacks, just total attentiveness. You could tell that the younger women have a sense of obligation to their mothers.

I noticed that all the older women in the group had a metal like mask on their face. I have not seen this in Saudi but I was told that in theUAE you tend to see it more on older women of status. It's an older Bedouin tradition from some of the tribes. The first glimpse of it is very shocking!!

I was so intrigued that I began to research it and learned that it's called a batulla/batula, which you may see in Qatar, UAE, and sometimes Bahrain. I have been told that it is traditionally worn by married women, but it is also worn by young women who either want to remain unmarried or who believe they may never marry. As such it represents a symbol in progress through the stages of life as well as a mark of traditional respectability and family status. The decision to wear it can be personal or induced through decisions in the family.

I am learning that every piece of the Muslim apparel has such significance attached to it that I would like to explore it more, perhaps I will write about it tomorrow. Thanks for following me, my knowledge base is growing and I am glad to share with you.

Sorry Folks

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:22:00 +0000

Well it has been a couple of days since I have had an opportunity to blog. This past week was my birthday so my husband took me to Bahrain to celebrate. It was wonderful. It was so nice to have a little of a normal Western lifestyle for a couple of days. The diffrence between diffrenty countries within in the Middle East is enormous. Just a hour and half drive away their is a world where I can have pork, and people drink alcohol.

We were able to go to the movie theatre while we were in Bahrain and upon purchasing our ticket we had the pleasure of picking our seats from a computer screen. Wow, I really like that concept. You don't have to rush through the popcorn line.

Check out my wonderful birthday cake!! Stay tuned for more adventures to be revealed this week.

I Survived

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 16:57:00 +0000

Today I had an experience that I never thought that I would enjoy...I spent all day with a room full of kindergartners. When I walked into the room, thousands of little eyes from different cultural backgrounds were looking at me. It was a wonderful sight to see so many cultural from around the world represented. One little girl from India locked eyes with me and smiled at me all day long. The classroom was full of action and I was impressed by the curriculum. These children could read at a first grade level, and I helped them do a game of subtraction. Do you remember doing subtraction at that age? The day went by very quickly.

I never thought that I would enjoy spending a whole day with children but it wasn't so bad. There was one child who had recently been diagnosed with autism. You could tell he was very intelligent but at every play break he was excluded. At the last play period I sat down and played a game of cars with him. He was polite and friendly. I am so proud that I survived kindergarten!! I should get a sticker for this accomplishment.

The Fish Market

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:58:00 +0000

It's a small world. This week I met someone that I knew from my hometown. She was here visiting her daughter, who is an Aramcon. We took the shopper's bus today into Khobar since both of our husbands had to work. We went to my favorite mall, the Mall of Dharhan. Her husband offer to take us home instead of the bus and to take us to a really fancy restranant. This would require us to spend over 9 hours in the mall, but it was wonderful. I am still amazed at the size of the malls here, I spend those 9 hours and still did not see everything. I am sure I gained about 10 pounds because during each prayer call we ate a snack. Smoothies, pizzas, desserts, and cookies were all scrumptious.

Later that night I was taken to the Fish Market. The Fish Market was an experience. When you entered the restranauant you had to walk up four flights of stairs. There was aquariams everywhere full of all of types of fish. I was required to pick out my own seafood from a large selection of very fresh product on ice.

We were able to obtain a seat by a window that overlooked a beautiful park. The park was filled with hundreds of families and there was a beautiful mosque in the distance. I have observed in Saudi culture that everything happens later than in the states. For instance when we were dining it was approximatley ten at night but families were still arriving at the beach, and the restruanant. Children play in the streets until very late at night. Society doesn't seem to get moving until Westerners are going to bed. I was very happy to had the opportunity to experience the Fish Market. However, am still ready to go home and eat some pork!!!

Only Me

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 10:49:00 +0000

It got up to 55C this week or 130F and it has been absolutely miserable for me. The hottest day of the year I somehow managed to lock myself out of the house. I went to the garage for a few minutes and I guess my husband had pushed the lock in without my knowledge. Luckily I see my neighbor is home, so I quickly run across the street. Every week they publish who is on call for lock out so I thought I could simply use the phone and wait patiently. When I rang the doorbell she seemed very shocked to see me. She invited me in and I ask to use the phone. She told me I could walk to the Housing office and solicit their help. Can you imagine someone with a car in the garage telling you to walk in 130F weather? She did offer juice for my journey, how nice! As I walking out of her door she told me she once used the window to get inside her home. How lucky for me my front window was open.

What a sight to see! I jump over using a chair as a prop and go in upside down with my legs sticking straight out of the window. I saw so many pausing to watch this show that I was putting on. In the end I got inside and now I check that garage door every time I go out of the house. Asking someone to walk in 130 degree weather, unbelievable.

Prison and Lashes

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 10:34:00 +0000

Check out the sentence for young teens that spent time together...

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article71462.ece

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:08:00 +0000

Let me begin by apologizing for not writing in a couple of days. I appreciate those of you that follow me and will try to catch you on things here in the Kingdom. Things have been hectic as I get the whole house painted. Since my last post we have a new person that has come into our lives. Many Aramcons ( Saudi Aramco employees) have housekeepers. In the Kingdom they are referred to as "houseboys" but I find that term to be somewhat derogatory to a grown man. A housekeeper was not my idea by any means. I already feel like I don't have anything to do with too much free time on my hand. However, am not fooled, my husband is preparing for some trips that I have planned and he wants to make for sure that all his bases are covered before I leave.

The idea of having someone come behind me and clean house after me was not appealing to me at all. I must admit as the days have went by our housekeeper is growing on me. He is a young gentleman from Bangladesh with a wonderful warm personality. My husband attempts to feed him all kinds of treats but he resist, am sure in him mind he is thinking he doesn't want to become fat like those Americans, ha ha. He responded yesterday that he likes being skinny. He laughs often and wants very much to learn about America. We learned that he has a brother in New York that he hasn’t seen in over 20 years, can you imagine? The housekeepers here are so willing to do anything, because many send money home to support a family. We are so fortunate to have someone that meshes with us so well. I could use to not doing housework!

Reptiles are not my friends

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:36:00 +0000

I don’t like pest, rodents, or reptiles. I despise these little creatures, and anytime I see one of them I immediately find a way to eradicate them. We have a little visitor in our garage and I am certain that he knows he my dislike for him and he is determined to torment in any manner possible. One of the first things that I wanted to know when I thought about the possibility of moving here was what types of pest are there. Everyone told me that lizards were here, but I didn’t need to worry. Well, they lied to me.

I saw the little guy in my garage when we first arrived here. My husband doesn’t understand my fear of lizards and keeps telling me that he is just a little guy. A little guy is what am accustomed to at home, a lizard that is no bigger than the length of a toothpick, this guy in my garage is a big as a remote control. We constantly have attempted to get him out of the garage but nothing is working. Yesterday I came home and made the mistake of letting the garage door down before I turned on the garage light, and I was alone in the dark with the lizard. I survived! I guess this little guy is going to be part of the family whether I like it or not.

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:43:00 +0000

There are alot of things that I am still trying to get accustomed to here in the Kingdom. This week I was in an office building and of course I was sitting on the female side because I don’t' have any other choice. I entered the room and a lady was sitting there completely covered in her abaya, and I immediately noticed that she seemed uncomfortable at my arrival. Later, two more women arrived with their sons and the only seating left was near me. These women chose to stand up rather than sit near me. I had smiled, and try to show them that I was a friendly person, but they wanted nothing to do with me. I felt so isolated by this incident. One of their sons was on the only side with his father and he kept looking at me when he thought I wasn't looking. When I got up, to go around the corner he gave me the most horrific look that any child has ever given me. This incident has stuck with me. Do they view me as the American devil?

This isn’t the first incident where local women have shunned me. My husband put it in perspective by telling me that they know that am American and how would I feel seeing a woman that is able to go in public without her head covered and enjoying more freedoms. Perhaps I serve as a reminder of their limited freedom. Even as an American woman am dealing with limitations on my freedoms as well. After I have these encounters I am always glad that I have the opportunity to feel like an outsider. When I return to the States I will make a conscious effort to go the extra mile to those visiting my country.

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:28:00 +0000

Last night my husband and I decided to take a drive into Damman. It's a trip we have made a thousand of times in a cab so we thought we would have no trouble finding our location on our own. Apparently, we made a turn to quickly and found ourselves surrounded by desert and construction. It didn't alarm us because we saw the corporation signs so we knew that we were in a safe area. I did mention to my husband that there was alot of signs that stated no photography. As we drove on for a little while we decided to turn around and go back. As we made the turn we saw a security office in the distance but we thought nothing of it, anyway my husband is employed with this company.

We stop a guy and asked him the quickest way to get to Damman and he stated “Follow me". We thought finally we are on our way. Suddenly we see three police cars blocking the roads, stopping each car. When they got to us, they told us to pull over and stay there. We stayed put for about twenty minutes. My husband and I both watch the National Geographic show “Locked up Abroad". and thought this is about to be our National Geographic story. The officer approaches our vehicle and wanted to have a little chat with us, but he didn’t speak any English. In fact all three officers did not speak any English. They kept speaking to me asking me if I spoke Arabic. I was able to decipher that they became suspicious when we turned around. They thought we may have been avoiding security. After they realized that we were not a threat they became very nice and I even believe that they thought it was funny. They let us go. At the next security checkpoint my husband pulled over and stated he was going to ask the checkpoint guys a question. I told him do not get out of the car, because they have machine guns!! He laughed and we pulled up and asked the question and off we went. Those who know me, know only I could find that kind of action here in Saudi.

I would like to applaud their diligence in protecting the area; because of their cautiousness we continue to be safe.

Determination

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:02:00 +0000

Some people have a true survival instinct. My husband is one of those types of people; I think it comes from his many years of traveling for work. Me, I have no sense of survival. If I can pick up the cell phone and have delivered, or call my husband I am not going to make it. We all know our weaknesses. I want to share a little story that shows my husband's determination.

My husband often rides his bike to pick up McDonalds for me in the city directly outside of the compound. This week when he went on his journey his bike chain broke and he had a flat tire. A Saudi gentlemen pulled up and asked him what he was going to do, my husband quickly replied “Give me your bike"; the gentlemen said “My bike"? My husband said "yes, for 150 Riyals". The guy got off his bike and gave it to my husband. Who buys a bike directly from under someone? I would never have thought to tell the guy to give me his bike. This bike was much smaller and really not tall enough for my husband. He said when he was riding off all the guys were looking at him laughing saying “Now you make the tires go flat" My husband had to have been twice as tall as the guy he bought the bike from. He looked so funny peddling that little bike home with the basket on the front.

It just goes to show, you never know what you can get until ask for it.

Reflection

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 11:27:00 +0000

I was thinking about a lot of different things that I wanted to write about today, but an old dream that I use to have as a kid come to mind. I have always enjoyed sleeping with my windows open, even in the wintertime. I use to cover my head completely under the covers and pretend like I was in the desert in Saudi Arabia. At that time I thought of Saudi Arabia very much like the cartoon Arabian nights. So now I wonder if it was always in the plans for me to be in Saudi Arabia.

The heat has really begun to affect me, and I hear that this is only the beginning. It is so hot here that when you walk outside you immediately feel the moisture being sucked out of your body. Yesterday I took a brief walk and covered with dampness. Gross! My husband said he had never seen me sweat before, he didn't believe it was possible. I often feel guilty when I see the Malaysian and Indian workers that they bring over to do more of the less than desirable work. Gardening, trash, etc. I understand that it's their choice to come and work in the Kingdom, but they are just trying to make a living the same as myself. They spend their whole day in the sun. I hope that I never get so comfortable that these things don't concern me. Peace!

Smoking

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:44:00 +0000

I guess I would consider this to be my own public service announcement.I never expected to see so many individuals in KSA smoking. I am asthmatic and the constant cigarette smoke has become quite an annoyance for me. In the United States it has become somewhat of a taboo to be seen smoking.It has been shocking to see smoking so openly accepted here. We have done such a good job of turning smoking into a stigma I hardly hear individuals proudly confess that they smoke anymore.

Here's are a few example of how acceptable cigarette smoking is here. I was in the mall today and all the men in the coffee shop were openly smoking in the middle of the mall. All the cab drivers have cigarettes in their pockets, and I even saw a young boy smoking yesterday. The Kingdom has an excellent anti smoking campaign running, and health care centers have outlawed smoking in their facilities. I am not passing judgment, but just concerned about the potential health risk. Remember when Americans smoked in abundance, and then we saw the rise of lung cancer. Save your lungs, put down the cigarettes.

Comfort Food

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 11:17:00 +0000

I knew that my finicky attitude toward food would be problematic when I came to Kingdom and I have tried to approach food more open minded but it’s tough. Chicken and more chicken is all that I seem to be eating day after day. Beef is limited here; I don’t see much sea food either, just chicken and more chicken. I like my chicken as much as the next person but I need a break. The kingdom offers wonderful fresh veal, dates, and the greatest roasted, seasoned nuts on this earth. I wish I could more like my husband; he has embraced the seasonings, and eats tabolii every day.

We don’t realize how much we associate food with our feelings. I can have an Oreo and during that time I almost forget that am in a foreign country. You can many American items here but they always seem to taste differently than at home. Living here has made me appreciate the availability of fresh food in America. I absolutely love that at home every corner has a grocery store; now shopping for groceries is something that I view as a treat. Americans often forget how fortunate they are to have the availability of items at their fingertips; I don’t have a Wal-mart or Target, gasp!

Anyway, if you are reading this and know me, I need a care package. Make for sure it has Twinkies, cupcakes, Doritos, and all the other junk that I like.

Kindness

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Sun, 30 May 2010 17:54:00 +0000

This afternoon I went out to city of Rahima that is just outside the gates of the compound. My husband has been dying to share an ice cream shop with me that the guys at work had eaten at one day. I feel that my time in Saudi will be wasted if I don't experience some of the local flavor; however, being unable to drive makes it extremely hard to fulfill this desire to learn more about the culture. The ice cream/coffee house was one of the nicest coffee shops I have been to. They had such a delectable presentation of sweets, and authentic Saudi ice cream. You walk up two levels of marble stairs and find the family seating area. Our waiter could not believe that we were from America, and kept saying “America very great country, I like it alot” I cannot say enough about this place, but it's the gentlemen that we met in the coffee shop that is the most memorable.

We were searching for a shoe store, and none of the clerks at the coffee shop could speak English well enough to give us adequate directions. An older gentleman spoke up quickly and began to give us directions. After learning that we were in a cab he offered to drive us to the shoe store. When that shoe store did not have my husband size he proceeds to drive us around town to another store. He even bargains with the store owner in an attempt to get us a good deal. I noticed when we were heading back to the car; that my husband and Saud had begun to hold hands. It amused me how quickly my husband was picking up on traditional Saudi customs (it would have been rude for him not to have held hands). I secretly smiled!

The words of Saud stayed on my mind. When my husband told him how nice everyone in the city was and how thankful we were to be surrounded by welcoming people, Saud stated the following: “We are all just people speaking a different language". How true these words are, but how often we forget. The kindness that he showed us, made my night.

On my Way

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Thu, 27 May 2010 08:57:00 +0000

Yesterday we got Orbit Showtime cable installed. I was super excited; if nothing else I will have some background noise in the house with me. It's a pretty decent package with 75 channels. The first night I found myself watching all Arabic television. It fascinated me to watch the programs and try to figure out the drama unfolding. I also enjoyed listening to the Arabic television programming. Some of my friends are envisioning me now, shaking those hips and moving my arms to the beat. I am on my way to some luxuries of home.

Life here is fun but I am having a hard time adjusting to my role as a woman here. Being an independent woman it's very hard for me not to work, or enjoy the many freedoms that I am accustomed to. I was well aware of my limited independence before arriving here, but I don't think it sinks in until you are actually here living the life. I can't go to the grocery store, I can't shop, and I can't conduct most of my own personal business. Yes, I do have options for going shopping but sometimes I would like to drive myself, and driving on the compound doesn't always fulfill that need. These four walls grow larger every day. I am used to mindless chatter with people, whether I know them or not; no mindless chatter here. My husband calls my home my dollhouse. Funny, but true it really is my little dollhouse, all perfect but existence is mostly limited to it.

I found out this week that someone I knew passed away, it has sadden me deeply. A.G. I hope that you are in a better place, and you have the wonderful life that every human being deserves. I cared about you!

Healthcare

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Tue, 25 May 2010 11:58:00 +0000

Living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia I have firsthand experience with free healthcare. I know in the states that we have been very up in arms about the proposal of healthcare reform. This post is simply my observations on healthcare here, and is not an attempt to sway you on either side of healthcare reform.

On the compound we have a hospital/clinic that is easy to get to from any point in camp. The hospital reminds me very much of the Veterans Administration in the States, in fact it's even ran that way. Specialty clinics are at our fellow Dhahran camp. I prefer to make all my appointments online, you can phone in but usually the language barrier is a problem. Believe it or not I have been three times since I arrived here. The first time was for blood work for my Iquama (national proof of residency). The second time has been for a stabbing pain in my heel. It was at this visit I met the doctor that I had chosen. I believe the nurses told me he was Australian and European. Either way, he was great. The doctor's office and examination room is all combined. The doctor even calls the patient to the room. It's very weird for me to walk in and sit at a desk first and then go to the examine table. He was so nice, and took time with me. I thought wow, this isn't so bad.

I was given a prescription for ibuprophen, and heel pads plus physical rehab. The pharmacy was set up just like the V.A. I gave the pharmacy a slip of paper, and I waited for my number to called. The best part of all of this was that no money came out of my pockets. It was wonderful and weird all at the same time.

Yesterday I had a knot to start swelling on my leg; my first thought was of my grandmother having varicose veins and them bursting. Freaked me out a little. I didn't have an appointment so I went to E.R. The gentleman at E.R. was rude to me, and told me I had no business in E.R. I then had to go to unscheduled patients. The physician looked at my leg, and states “it’s not fracture". Did I say it was!! Then he hops on the computer, and gives me ibuprophen. What?!! Also, let me tell you, ibuprophen here is a huge pill that reminds me of the shape and size of Mentos.

All of this leg and feet problems are coming from me constantly hitting the pavement everywhere I go. We are waiting for my husband’s driver’s license and then we will have a vehicle. Meantime, it’s walk, bike, or sit at home.

Just goes to show the doctor not the healthcare is what makes the difference.

Prayer Time

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Sun, 23 May 2010 10:15:00 +0000

I know that today is Sunday, so in the states many of you are worshiping. I found this only fitting to elaborate a little more about prayer time here in Saudi Arabia. It's the essence of what Saudi Arabia's culture is made up of and it intrigues me. I don't think that I can adequately give a realistic view of how significant prayer is here. Imagine you are shopping at Wal-Mart, your favorite mall and you suddenly here voices and chant like singing coming over the intercom and you are ask to leave the store. You wait outside for some time before your shopping can continue, that is Saudi Arabia. The whole economy shuts down and lights go dim. I have seen some kiosk workers of other nationalities try to hold out to get that last purchase, but the guard will walk up and make them shut down. Islamic law dictates prayer five times a day. I carry a prayer schedule with me, so that I have some time to get to the register before the call is made. It has become a difficult concept for me to grasp. All over the city you hear the call for prayer over the loud speakers, it's nothing that you can simply ignore, and I have begun to tune it out some. There are a few men that I actually enjoy hearing them issue the call, it's somewhat relaxing and soothing to me. People state that when you first arrive here that it will take some adjustment to not wake up when the call is given. I must be one heck of a sleeper, because I haven't heard the call once while sleeping.

Mosques are everywhere in the city. There isn't anywhere that you may be, that a mosque isn't within walking distance. I got out the map of the compound and counted six. I am always amazed by the amount of shoes outside the mosque in the mall. Shoes are not permitted in the mosques, and women and men pray separately. Hundreds of shoes! When I was in the clinic this week, the waiting room had a prayer rug. The rugs are used to make for sure that the area is clean. The rug has an arch on top so that you point the arch toward Mecca. I saw one young lady turn the arch the wrong way, and someone quickly got up to help her aim correctly. Each lady went one by one, publicly in the middle of the waiting room, down on their knees. How many of us in the states would do this? There is a sense of faithfulness here that causes you to examine the role of religion in your own life and question if you are giving hundred percent.

Weekends

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Fri, 21 May 2010 10:45:00 +0000

The weekend here starts on Wednesday and ends on Friday. It has taken some getting use to not having Saturday and Sunday off. It just doesn't feel right. The past couple of weekends I have talked my husband into taking the shopper's bus that makes stop in Al-Khobar. The downside of this is that you are stuck at the location you choose for about 4 hours. Great for me, but not so great for him.

The malls here in Dharahan and Al-Khobar are awesome. The Rashid mall is very upscale with five levels, but I enjoy the mall of Dhahran because it has Macoroni Grill, Tony Roma's, and more American chains. It is also a little more relaxing to be on one level. I think I have gotten some anxiety since being here. I enjoyed eating brunch yesterday at the cutest French restrauanat. The strawberry tart was so wonderful I wanted to eat three, but my recent weight gain reminded me not to get carried away. The unusual has always been my thing, I love dressing in ethnic prints so a store called Zara had wonderful long cotton tops that I could pair with leggings. Sadly, I had to get men's leggings because they did not carry anything above a small and the shopkeeper kept saying I was too tall. I have a hard time adjusting to prayer time. During prayer time all operartions cease, so if you are inside a store they ask you to leave and everyone shuts down their storefronts. Prayer typically last thrity minutes. I always try to be a coffee shop so I can enjoy a break during this time and get served before the call. Midday prayers start somewhere between 11:30-12:30, but sometimes stores don't open up again untill 4:00. However the malls always open back up. Sunset prayers between 5:30-6:30. Ishna, (dinner time) 7:00pm and 8:00pm. The time differs slightly everyday and it definetly takes some getting use to, but having a Ikea within driving distance makes up for all the hassle.

Life on the Compound

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:27:00 +0000

Many of my friends at home have asked me what it's like living on a compound. I can only describe it by using one word "different". They have done everything imaginable to make life comfortable for Westerners and to keep some of Saudi Arabia's core beliefs intact. When you enter into the compound you must show a identification badge, this has been hard for me to get use to. No matter where you travel in the kingdom, even on the interstate there are checkpoints that you have to stop at and show your identification to be able to move along. Losing my identification means that until the matter is settled I would not be able to enter into the compound to get to my home. Armed guards stand at the entrance with machine guns checking every automobile and bus that enters. It may be a hassle but it makes me feel secure.

The compound has all the amenities of home that are easily accessible. Ironically, most people use golf carts to navigate around the compound.I will list a few facilities here so that you can get a real glimpse of the ammenties here:

Commissary
Beauty Salon/Barber/Massages
Coffee House
Restraunants
Florist
Private Owned Day Cares
Hospital-with specialists-Free Healthcare
Game Room, one just for kids,one shared by kids and adults
Bowling Alley
Theater( Only on American/Amarco Compounds, Theatres are banned from the kingdom)
Post Office
Travel Office
Golf Course and Mintaure Golf
Yacht Club
Horse Farm
Tennis Courts
Squash Courts
Running Tracks
Workout Facilities
Self Directed Groups

Coffee House

Commissary

My New Adventure

noreply@blogger.com (moonbaby) — Sun, 16 May 2010 06:47:00 +0000

My adventure began on April 29 when we boarded a plane and headed to Saudi Arabia. I guess I should go back a few months because it really started in Feb. when my husband went to interview with the petroleum giant Saudi Aramco. When he received a job offer the next week I was a little apprehensive, but could not imagine being here in three months. On April 29 we left Nashville and endured a long plane trip from Philly, Germany and our final destination here in the Kingdom. The night we landed in the Kingdom I had so many feelings, ranging from excitement to fear. The immigration line upon our arrival took us two hours to get through, I heard from others that they waited 4 hours so I can't complain. It was intimidating to see everyone in black except for us few Westerns. There was very little talking, and the persons working the immigration line was very forceful.After immigration we went to luggage to proceed to the customs line and then the nightmare began. Out of six pieces of luggage we had nothing. Not a single bag! I looked at my husband and in our hearts we knew it was not there but we proceed to check. Unlike some Aramcons ( people who work for Aramco) we made the choice to take cash in lieu of the shipping, so these bags held our only possessions from home.

In the middle of the night we were transported from the airport to our new home. I must say I was impressed with my accommodations. We qualified for a two bedroom, bonus room, study, 2.5 bath home two story townhouse. Just enough room and then some. Luckily, Aramco furnishes your apartment for the first three months and then you have the option of buying, waiting for your shipment to arrive, or renting their furniture for a small fee. We live on the compound of Ras Tanura and it is a beautiful beach compound in the city of Najimah. This compound sits on the gulf of the Arabian ocean. What a long way this moonbaby has traveled.