tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16449250813113278412024-03-04T23:11:30.120-08:00Howdi Sauditeaching in Riyadh, the next stage of our adventureRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-89958552532507777892009-07-06T06:12:00.000-07:002020-04-03T05:41:32.718-07:00The end of another adventureAll my bags are packed, I'm ready to go ...<br />
<br />
Time to move on to another adventure. I don't know where we are going next.<br />
<br />
I haven't had much to say of late. My life has been swallowed up with work, and there are so many restrictions on taking photos and even what I write. Took the shine off it really.<br />
<br />
There were some posts that I wrote where I showed photos of some of the girls from behind, or just their hands, and I was ordered to take them down because people might be able to identify them.<br />
<br />
When we were recruited, before we came here, we informed the recruiter that, although we had the experience of teaching for more than 15 years, at the time when we completed 3 full years of training in Education (back in the '70s), a degree was not awarded nor considered necessary. He took that on board, and hired us anyway. And then, when we arrived at the University, we were each asked to 'coordinate' the courses on the two sides. As time went by we discovered that this was more of a 'Director of Studies' position.<br />
<br />
Anyway, there is always a political involvement in higher education. With the shifting of power in the higher echelons, one by one the sackings started, many of them for no good reason. It was not just faculty members, but also administrative staff, even the HR manager himself, and even the Rector of the University was forced to leave. When it came to our 'turn' - by the end of the year in our positions we clearly knew too much - we were an easy target as it was suddenly announced that we were not even qualified.<br />
<br />
In some ways, it was a relief ...Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-78039573387639210012009-05-09T09:09:00.000-07:002017-10-08T23:31:35.743-07:00Where the desert meets the sea!Some people have commented that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is like an endless beach. Well, eventually, at the end of the beach, there has to be an ocean!<br />
<br />
There was to be a conference, over there on the East Coast of this great sandy country.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cvX06skBn1zx7NRlsdX6Rw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWepHjhuHI/AAAAAAAAKJ0/-6eS5Mqsz5U/s400/100_1560.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Sally wanted to go, and Nicole (in the window!) and Adam. Peter and I needed the break more, and Wayne (Sally's husband) was keen to hire a car and drive across the desert.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">[It's a funny thing with driving cars here. Us ladies (of course!) can't have licences, and therefore can't drive at all. While he had a business visa Peter was fine to drive on his UK licence. But now that he has an Iqama (resident's visa) he needs to have a Saudi licence to be covered by the insurance. Wayne doesn't have his yet, so he had to drive.]</span><br />
<br />
Anyway, the four of us set off in our rented Camry, out into the desert ... you know what a desert is, right?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TNX29ngz1QGT6pbYN5TkcQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="266" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWe1EzZvtI/AAAAAAAAKKs/6Mk3osMsINA/s400/100_1640.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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There were flat parts, and slightly rocky parts, sometimes the sand was sand-coloured, and sometimes it was reddish ... but mostly it was just, you know, desert. Four hours of desert, pretty much like you'd expect, around 40 degrees, going up to 44 in the red section.<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/box8S339905K7EHnr4_iXQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="174" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWey0mWJ4I/AAAAAAAAKKc/vtxRHZoP520/s400/100_1621.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Here and there we saw hilly parts, where the endless wind had ripped away the softer portions. And then there were really odd things, like an amusement park (still under construction) way out there ...!<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pev2r2z73-ywAnsB6leRtg?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="247" src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWezRJZmrI/AAAAAAAAKKg/2B_atIxgoTg/s400/100_1625.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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And here and there we saw camels, and wondered what they found to nibble on.<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FkSiBLOXbiXrLll41ymupA?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="204" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWez0xCo-I/AAAAAAAAKKk/MnFCMItPcNU/s400/100_1626.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
The road was entirely fenced, with only a rare "Desert Access" road. But in places the desert had overtaken the fence and was encroaching on the road - valiantly being held at bay by an occasional bulldozer.<br />
<br />
There were, of course, the usual petrol stations along the way, and we stopped at one. It had petrol pumps, and the usual little shop, and a mosque - that's where the toilets always are. We went into the shop to buy some drinks ... out of the car air-conditioning (and wearing our black abayas!) it was very hot.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WXPD8nw-vM7mxCfmej_lAQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWe3PG_jII/AAAAAAAAKK0/NcFIPKuiIS0/s400/Image000.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
I was kind of amused in the shop to find all the trappings for one's camel, right there next to the cans of beans!<br />
<br />
So what's it like at the other end of the desert, next to the sea?<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Dxpi78koQ510mnA0NvuRFA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWe6NjVFtI/AAAAAAAAKLE/H3Ubcgq96-A/s800/100_1595%20crop.jpg" /></a><br />
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Lots of these little tent encampments, outside the city of Al Khobar, a few metres from the water.<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_MNrQk8_69G9e3aCagaeyQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWerlTuYjI/AAAAAAAAKKA/OqR6xTUwCbg/s800/100_1568.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
They make a living out of hiring out quad bikes to ride like crazy up and down those soft dunes. And usually there is a tired-looking camel or two sitting around. Some of them have hundreds of bikes, all sizes. Obviously this is not the right time of year for that, or maybe we weren't there at the right time of day ... there must be times when the dunes are crawling with quad-bikes.<br />
<br />
So Sally went off to PMU for the day, for the conference.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XUmzQ7N7DohKHwfeoe7KZw?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="266" src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWeqBxPxuI/AAAAAAAAKJ4/yW0Oh7xdmZs/s400/100_1557.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Funny looking place! They like their odd architecture. Can't help wondering, though, how long it can last with the desert crouching there right outside the wall.<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZaUqLNHd50mu5j06OzQzrA?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="266" src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWerG5rHwI/AAAAAAAAKJ8/O-Zjm9AcGw8/s400/100_1564.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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We were staying in a private resort. Most of the hotels in the area have swimming pools - for men. But Sally managed to find the Holiday Inn resort where they not only have a swimming pool (for the men) but also a little lagoon where the women are permitted to dip.<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zQJgF1YBfMQcq9HH67Hw1w?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWeoPF7HkI/AAAAAAAAKJs/xjyFhxjJ4XM/s800/100_1534.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
This is the view from our bedroom window! The pool is in the foreground, the lagoon beyond it, and beyond that the actual sea.<br />
<br />
We took a little look around Al Khobar town, and went down to what is famously known as "The Corniche."<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_SNJmETTkPxshTzl7bmk6g?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="266" src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWetm920qI/AAAAAAAAKKE/dWPUDZX6oyc/s400/100_1581.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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There was supposed to be water flowing through here - we picked the one (?) day they decided to clean it.<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TnZQ4iW1YJ20rHe3k_FVLA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWeus6Mx7I/AAAAAAAAKKI/AQhbZda5xF0/s400/100_1585.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Must be quite specky normally. It seemed like a nice town.<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YuD27yLgjDJ4XQrTZvOwgw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwRN-VDnggzCDsZJEUQndkLtW8_TEeHtju87F35QkyIFdfMgpH044CN0-zRVA9u8FVsRDXxBOi7ifii64bJuNlre8WpZw-nZ82WMTmNm616Kqd3ZEXBdMN_Vf55ZAKYjbc7nd5YAq0cDT/s400/100_1591.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Not a whole lot of graffiti! We were a bit puzzled about this water tower<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WEjpXrHlLpHqFWoiKUBB4g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWewcVLUxI/AAAAAAAAKKQ/hTnZjmmiN9w/s400/100_1593.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
that seems to be in the process of being turned into a resort. Classy.<br />
<br />
There were some places where families (but not bachelors) could hang out and play by the sea - a few shelters, a bit of a playground.<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1kMK5zQ5Pxzdxufbglr1aw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWexLg9ZpI/AAAAAAAAKKU/NYttA9aSmgA/s400/100_1605.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
A bit desolate looking this time of year.<br />
<br />
But our little bay was great!<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8QqzuvQwUVpVAgpDhfTHjA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWe4KYmaBI/AAAAAAAAKK4/GAJjt7Tr7f0/s800/Image017.jpg" /></a><br />
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The hotel management assured us that we were quite free to dress as we pleased within the resort. So we were delighted to slip into our bathers and splash around while the other women chose to swim in their abayas.<br />
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We found that the water was extra salty and therefore incredibly easy to float around in.<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/D64X_ELmDZ8zL4AegrSPwA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWeydrnCGI/AAAAAAAAKKY/XebrcLca7zY/s800/100_1614.JPG" /></a><br />
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While you're laughing at the boys floating around,have a look at the folks in the background. Spare a thought for the ladies in their abayas sitting on plastic chairs in the edge of the water.<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-aAG9K-PNQW5xIlp0Ais1A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWe4gge9DI/AAAAAAAAKK8/YlgLVb5haA8/s800/Image024.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And the covered ladies paddling around in the boats, and on jet-skis - quite a sight.<br />
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Did we have a relaxing time?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LS0qR_dvFu1DCfe2xDXbNQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SgWe5lHu5HI/AAAAAAAAKLA/qg1oI1N1a_0/s800/Image032.jpg" /></a><br />
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Now THIS is how we like to relax! Outside with a gentle breeze and a good book.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-34177998727847967022009-03-10T09:02:00.000-07:002017-10-08T19:53:38.561-07:00Dusty DayToday was the NCAAA visit (the National Commission for Academic Assessment and Accreditation). Inspection Day! We had all been working frantically for the last few days, getting ready, and now it was all done and I was sitting at my desk waiting to be called for my interview.<br />
<br />
I opened my office window, and a delicious breeze was blowing in - like an English summer day ... The phone rang, and I jumped (I always do!) - would I please come upstairs to talk to the Inspectors.<br />
<br />
The Interview was quick and easy, and as I returned to the main foyer area, I became aware of the strange colour of the ambient light.<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/54OKt_Zzl1MEY0D2QKSn1g?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="400" src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SbaEC8QAO2I/AAAAAAAAKBs/0lqTlK_5xLE/s400/Image016.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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It doesn't really show in the photo - it was <i>really</i> orange. That seemed odd, as the foyer is lit from a skylight in the roof of the third floor. Us Aussies expect there to be a bush-fire around when we see this kind of light, only this was <i>far more orange</i>.<br />
<br />
As I approached my office, I caught sight of the outside world - all orange. (And, again, the photo doesn't come close to the right colour.)<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/h6LTbiiGM3o9_aQ1E92mAw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfI1eWRX67Ue63P_kk0SpCJEIvk4XNHgaGj4VaiIb6juNxeR05gynxaNKtgYIu1WPMviAqutXJEkmpgR6Cu0ZeBNwgnaFy6GSNDn8go9Xq9dfn2ddkS6OCLyQA6PG6Ivot6LOOw0wClvMY/s400/Image020.jpg" /></a><br />
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It just got weirder and weirder ... and then I remembered I had left my office window open! Oops!<br />
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I stood at the window watching cars mysteriously appearing and disappearing in the street, wondering why there were no crashes. A few of the cars had their hazard lights on. Most were clever enough to know that you don't put headlights on in a sandstorm because it just reflects off the sand and makes it harder to see.<br />
<br />
The female students were all spooked, and desperately wanted to go home. We heard that schools elsewhere were closing and people were taking their kids home, which made the traffic much worse. The girls were all calling their drivers who came and took them home. Classes were cancelled.<br />
<br />
Sally said she saw it arrive (I was in my interview at the time, remember) and she saw something like funnels along the horizon, moving around.<br />
<br />
I can still taste it and smell it, everything is gritty.<br />
<br />
After a few hours the light changed from orange to grey, and the dust slowly settled on everything instead of being in the air (inside the college). The place looks like it has been unused and shut up for months, except for our footprints as we made our way out to catch our ride home.<br />
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We saw it on the World News. They say they don't remember ever having a dust storm like this one in the city of Riyadh.<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/G3G7IYarY3bnoNPNnjG5NQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SbaOkc93spI/AAAAAAAAKCo/118oQX1gdV4/s800/Gulf-sandstorm-A-dust-clo-015.jpg" /></a><br />
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This as a photo off the Internet of today's dust storm enveloping Riyadh.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-42884823440141128542009-03-06T00:44:00.000-08:002017-10-08T19:36:18.918-07:00Deported!!In February we went back to Australia for the first time in a year and a half, and had a lovely 12 days with our children and grandchildren. A flying visit ... and then it was time to get back to Riyadh and get ready for second semester. University classes would start on the Saturday, so we left Perth on the Monday.<br />
<br />
It was 3 am Monday morning in Perth, but it was 9 pm the night before in Riyadh, when we <i>started</i> our journey. The passport check chap in Perth couldn't read Arabic, so he stared at our visas for a while, and then shrugged and handed them back. The passport check guy in Dubai <i>could</i> read Arabic, and studied our passports for a long time, showed them to several other people, and then shrugged and let us through.<br />
<br />
After the long, long journey, we were <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> relieved to get off the plane in Riyadh after about 24 hours of travel. It was evening time in Riyadh.<br />
<br />
We joined the passport queue, went to the counter together and confidently handed over our passports which each contained a series of visa renewal stickers.<br />
<br />
The man shook his head, and called someone across to take us into the little room, the visa inspection office. Not good ...<br />
<br />
There were discussions (in Arabic) and our passports were handed around to various interested parties. Peter quickly got on his mobile to the HR chaps at the university. He then handed his phone over to the Captain in the office so that he could talk to our man and sort it out. Meanwhile I slid down in my hard plastic chair, leaned my head over the back (<i>most</i> uncomfortable!) and drifted off for a bit. The Captain found this amusing, as I realised when I suddenly popped my eyes open to find him laughing, but it didn't win us any sympathy or help our cause.<br />
<br />
On the phone our guys at the University were telling the Captain that MoFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) had assured them our visas were valid. But his response was, "I am the Captain, and I say it's not OK. So it's not OK!" And that was that.<br />
<br />
They kept hold of our passports and took us through the airport to the baggage claim area where only a few bags were still going round and round. They pulled our two cases off and then we and our bags had to all go through security again.<br />
<br />
We noticed there were very few women in Riyadh airport, and the few we saw were, of course, covered. So they have a special system to take women through the security check. I had to go through a curtain, and then another curtain (can't be too careful) into a cubicle where a robed police woman waited with one of those wands. She was very busy on her mobile, so she waved the wand generally in my direction and waved me on through.<br />
<br />
The man who was holding our passports then led us, along with the man who was towing our suitcases, to one of the gates where a plane was about to depart for Dubai ... the one we had just arrived on! He dragged our two cases so roughly on their tiny wheels, that one of them flopped over onto its side. Its little protest went unnoticed and he dragged it the rest of the way on its side. The rest of the luggage had already been stowed, so they put our bags in the cabin somewhere, and we were given the last two seats - right in the middle of the centre section of four seats.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Back to Dubai</span><br />
<br />
When the plane landed in Dubai we had to wait for the official who was holding our passports to once again lead us through the airport, and we had to sit and wait in office after office as our passports were handed around from person to person. Finally a group of white thobed young men (who were sitting around in an office playing on their phones) handed our passports back to us (at last!) and with a yawn we were told "Welcome to Dubai!"<br />
<br />
"What now?" we asked.<br />
<br />
"You are free to go. Get your luggage, and go!"<br />
<br />
Ahhh! Our luggage! We had asked repeatedly, at every stage and every office, where our luggage was, and the reply was always "don't worry!" In our short time in this part of the world we have found that when those words are uttered there usually is a problem.<br />
<br />
Of course it had been hours, it was now about 1 am, and no luggage was on the carousel. So we had to go to another couple of offices, fill in forms, answer questions, get them started searching for our luggage.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Finding a Hotel</span><br />
<br />
We asked several people for advice about finding a hotel, and the only help we got was - ask a taxi driver. So, with only our hand-baggage and our laptops, we got into a taxi and asked the driver to take us to a hotel.<br />
<br />
He asked if "4 stars" would be alright, and we said that would be great, so he said we would go to a hotel belonging to a friend of his (oh ohh!). It was 2 in the morning, we had been travelling for 30 hours, we just wanted a <i>bed</i> somewhere.<br />
<br />
"Zain International" is <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> a 4 star hotel - that was immediately obvious! Dingy, stinking of cigarette smoke (despite the signs saying it was illegal to smoke there), with a night club that blasted noise every time the sound-proof door in the foyer opened a crack. They wanted us to take a look at the room (the only available one) and they kept our bags in the boot of the taxi while we did so - this made me incredibly nervous. The room was small and smelly, but I just wanted my stuff out of the taxi and somewhere to lie down. I went to attend to the bags while Peter went to negotiate with the front desk. They wanted about $300 ... so we said were going elsewhere. Then they reduced it to $200 - still way over the top, but we were desperate enough.<br />
<br />
They wanted our passports - the man said he had to scan them, and held up the big parcel of many different coloured passports he already had. After a long argument we were once again beaten by our tiredness and handed over our passports - he promised to scan them and send them straight on up to our room (at 2 am? yeah, right!)<br />
<br />
So we went to the room, which had not really been serviced since the last unfortunate resident. Someone came in and hurriedly emptied the mini-bar and took away the couple of sachets of tea and coffee (you have to pay extra to have that available). There was no toilet paper - although a bidet took up half the space in the bathroom - and only one towel between us. The bed seemed almost clean, but every time I put my head on my pillow my nose would block up from the dust etc.<br />
<br />
We slept a mere four hours, just enough to get us going again. We went downstairs and demanded our passports - explaining that we were in Dubai in order to get visas put into our passports, so we needed our passports. They demanded that we pay another $200 to get them back ... or else check out!<br />
<br />
So we had breakfast (another whole story! bleh!) and got out a tourist map and started searching for <span style="font-style: italic;">real</span> 4 star hotels. The taxi driver was right, most places were all booked up because there was some business expo in town. But we found that the Marco Polo had one room available for one night - well, one day at a time. So we checked out, grabbed our passports, and went there.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">The Marco Polo Hotel</span><br />
<br />
Lovely! Bright, airy, big clean room with Internet access. Polite, friendly, helpful staff. And not a hint of wanting to keep our passports!<br />
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Free breakfast - one of those magnificent buffet arrangements with so many choices that you walk away with a full and aching belly! And<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nuL5Ek6E_pxOuc9URcvMsQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/Sa-9t6Ho9xI/AAAAAAAAKAk/R2roPvPITlY/s400/Image012.jpg" /></a><br />
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live sitar music to keep you calm and happy throughout the meal!<br />
<br />
[So what would you pay for a delightful abode like this one? Originally they said they only had a suite for $625, and then they said they would give us an executive room for $350 a night. We accepted that, and despite the hotel being full we ended up being able to stay for the whole time. When we paid the bill, we had actually paid much less than that anyway.]<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Finding our Baggage</span></span><br />
<br />
Once settled in the hotel, we pulled out all the papers and things that had been hurriedly handed to us at Riyadh airport, and were surprised to find a luggage chit. Carefully examining the hand-written scribbles on it, we deduced that our suitcases had in fact been sent all the way back to Perth, Australia! (Are there frequent flier miles for luggage?)<br />
<br />
So after a couple of days of unaccompanied travel, our bags finally returned to us in the hotel.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">The Gold Souk</span><br />
<br />
One of the many services offered by this hotel is a shuttle service to various attractions. We decided to take a few hours out of our busy email interaction with the college from our hotel room, and go to the Gold Souk. (A souk is like a market.)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4GVjheTpzTOEpa99n03UMQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="400" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/Sa-9vjqJHAI/AAAAAAAAKAs/ntgn0qHdUtM/s400/Image011.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
There were a lot of little shops, some of them jewelers, selling all the tourist stuff - especially the ubiquitous "pashmina" scarves.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/50gc15Rj0kCROkOmNLAo_w?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="400" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/Sa-9xETzjwI/AAAAAAAAKA0/rHwBzfKejEw/s400/Image009.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
For a while now I have been trying to buy a nice big leather handbag, so this seemed like a good opportunity to look for one.<br />
<br />
We walked up and down the little alleys, window-shopping in the little shops. As we walked by, men would step out and try to draw us into their shops, and tell us what they were selling. Finally one of them mentioned "handbags", and so we agreed to follow him. He went down a number of alleys, with several twists and turns, and finally entered an apartment block and up some steep stairs to a private apartment. (At this point we were beginning to feel a bit nervous!) He opened the door to an apartment which was in fact a shop full of handbags, and other customers.<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;"><br />'Home' to Riyadh at last</span><br />
<br />
We had to get in touch with an agent because individuals can no longer make application for visas to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With the Embassy closing for the weekend (Thursday and Friday) and the agent being busy with other things, it took nearly a week to get our new visas put in our passports. And then we were finally able to return to our apartment and jobs.<br />
<br />
This time we were careful to pack a few changes of clothes and necessary items in our hand baggage - just in case!<br />
<br />
At the airport we zipped through passport control - no problems! - grabbed our bags and went out to find our new college driver, looking for a sign with our name ... or the college name ... or a familiar face ...<br />
<br />
Oh, well, the flight was a tad earlier than expected, maybe he was late.<br />
<br />
We spent the next hour and a half trying to find the driver and the college van. We phoned him, and he told us "I am waiting, sir, I am waiting ..." Where? "Here, sir, I am waiting ..." We walked up and down, inside and out, called him again and again.<br />
<br />
Of course, he was at terminal 1 and we were at terminal 2. Despite being told. Finally we got that message through to him on the phone.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Now, to Top it all off!</span><br />
<br />
Back at the apartments, our building guard put our two suitcases and two overnight bags into the tiny-shiny lift, and climbed in after them, to go up to the second floor. Peter went up the stairs, but I was tired and decided to wait for the lift to come back.<br />
<br />
A moment later the lift returned and opened, and I noticed the hand baggage had been removed but the two suitcases were still there. I thought about stepping in and going up along with the bags, but, for reasons I cannot explain, I then had second thoughts and stepped back.<br />
<br />
The lift doors closed and ... the lift died! It wouldn't go up or down, and it wouldn't open again. It was another full day before we saw our suitcases again!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Back at Work</span></span><br />
<br />
So now we are back at work, starting the second semester. After Dubai, interesting though it was, the dust and rubble of Riyadh has a familiar homely feel.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-7392277979880513462009-01-30T02:20:00.000-08:002017-10-08T03:00:58.626-07:00Party Time!Right after our last break - half a semester ago now - we had a party at Dar Al Uloom. It was to celebrate Eid - well, the holiday we had just had.<br />
<br />
There was a (very big) cake.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MqjJayLaID2PN1J8fQLJbQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SW9S2MzeeJI/AAAAAAAAJ5g/jf_FGwf6tJo/s400/cake.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Underneath that perfect creamy icing, half of it was chocolate and half was vanilla. It was a bit like Alice in Wonderland eating from two sides of the mushroom.<br />
<br />
And then there were drinks<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SA4mizVPfjA6R-qk_lhvJw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SW9S146xhWI/AAAAAAAAJ5Y/OzCfO9l131w/s400/drinks.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
and lots of other yummy foods<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/V3nVjviBdCvOn8UbgRKarg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SW9S1Xd-nuI/AAAAAAAAJ5Q/S8JM-c-LKUc/s400/piatto.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
even doughnuts, and Arabic coffee<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ermKeg0lR0tOLtewernCJg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SW9S0aIAC2I/AAAAAAAAJ5A/JK1aXKB4dqc/s400/jpg.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
and crisps for those who don't have a sweet tooth.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LOKBjbl2pUHfYBFpVt19mA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SW9S0xAvwPI/AAAAAAAAJ5I/mrLUL3urfLY/s400/snacks.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And everyone came (staff <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> students), and had a good time. But I can't show you any pictures of the party-goers.)Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-52385339541715437752009-01-07T23:36:00.000-08:002017-10-08T02:58:48.903-07:00Gotta love Ikea!I had never been to Ikea before (really!), although I was familiar with the ads.<br />
<br />
Our students in Norwich had to do a project about it for their business studies. And I heard people in China telling of how lounging around in Ikea was a favourite Sunday afternoon activity, especially when the weather is unpleasant and home is not so comfortable.<br />
<br />
But now I have been there, several times! There is a great restaurant, and it is generally an all-round interesting place to spend a few hours in this you-can't-walkabout-outside type of place.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Buying Furniture</span><br />
<br />
Of course, buying furniture at Ikea is yet another adventure in itself. You walk around the "Showroom" part of the store and there are little pencils and pads for you to note down the numbers and prices of items that you fancy. Then you go down to the warehouse section and select a cardboard box that in no way resembles the item of furniture!<br />
<br />
The price is "right", because when you get your cardboard box home there is still a fair amount of work to do and tools needed.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5ZkdR9_PbU49ImuPa8o5RQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="266" src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SV2Q3U8a_3I/AAAAAAAAJvw/KNMUKYEI0IM/s400/100_1391.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Peter is quite the carpenter and home handyman and has created furniture from scratch (and from scrap) in the past. But when Stanley (our Indian driver) caught sight of our cardboard box he became quite excited. Obviously when he was a little boy he always wanted (and didn't get) a Meccano set or even Lego!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JmQ27db44EVsbHfBKrSdrQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="266" src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SV2Q2YXiz2I/AAAAAAAAJvo/xnI8aSPRA28/s400/100_1390.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
So Peter was quite happy to sit down and let Stanley play. A chest of drawers is actually remarkably complex, I learnt, especially when it's a good one.<br />
<br />
So how did it end up? Was it like one of Homer Simpson's spice racks??<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JyGhOiOB8cpsV1B2WgNZqQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SWWsBki0xmI/AAAAAAAAJyg/8vftM2bTkr8/s400/Image047.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Look at that! Perfect - just like a bought one! And the drawers glide in and out as smooth as silk.<br />
<br />
So now that we are in the bedroom, why don't we take a little look around? In the UK we bought ourselves a "Kingsize" bed, and it was 5' wide. In Oz, of course, that is only "Queensize", and Kingsize is 6' wide. Well, here they like their beds BIG.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YYHZlKE78ghYo2Pan33v_Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="400" src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SWWsAVarz-I/AAAAAAAAJyY/jBlE3BRqOUg/s400/Image046.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
It's impossible to get perspective in a photo like this, but this one seems to be Royal Family Size.<br />
<br />
And then, with our indoors lifestyle, we had to put aside the wiggy little TV that came with the apartment, in favour of a real TV. (It still looks small in this spacious room.)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GTK6PoR_K2gRQa_O_XVM5g?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="400" src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SWWsDBmTSjI/AAAAAAAAJyo/9yamb6cs9So/s400/Image049.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
(Yes, it's a Sony). And yes, all TV programs seem to come with Arabic subtitles.<br />
<br />
With all this space and no outdoors, this is where we play our sports as well. It was really difficult to get a clear picture of Peter playing "Wii sports".<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bJDH6DMrorrfA6aOYjiCug?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SWWy90uvJuI/AAAAAAAAJzY/ENs34rK44-g/s400/100_1413.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Now we have two sets of remotes so we can play together at the same time against each other. FUN!!<br />
<br />
When you have to live indoors a lot you need two things - <span style="font-weight: bold;">TV and Internet</span>.<br />
<br />
So here is our Internet setup.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Xm2PY4PAnPIMN0skG_XoYA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SWWsExbJKFI/AAAAAAAAJyw/qBs88xnU2Kg/s400/Image050.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
That white thing with the aerials is our modem which picks up the Internet wirelessly, and then is connected by cables (<i>lots</i> of cables!) to our computers. We also have a modem in the sitting room supposedly picking up TV channels, but quite honestly there is rarely anything to pick up.<br />
<br />
So - we are well set up, and comfortable, despite not being able to run in the park.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-78557486774643685842009-01-07T22:01:00.000-08:002017-10-08T02:53:00.392-07:00Moving MountainsYeeeessss I know it's been a while, but I've been very very busy. My job grew and I'm no longer just a teacher, so I don't get a lot of time for my favourite activity - writing.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Flat Riyadh - ?</span><br />
<br />
Riyadh gives the <i>impression</i> of being a very flat place with no hills.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-tTH564tJ8LYUs5HyX0zLw?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="266" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SPIwx8ZJRLI/AAAAAAAAHwU/Xid3VZCFUrs/s400/100_1118.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
But it isn't entirely true. If you look closely.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yL0pZBQ5s5pp3jJbvxYs5g?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="391" src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SV2RB_GTHKI/AAAAAAAAJwk/81WUd0fHPME/s800/view%20crop.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
That building in the distance that looks a bit like a bottle opener is the Kingdom tower in the city centre. And just in front of it to the left a little you can see the remnants of a hill.<br />
<br />
In some countries we would build on the hill. But here the hills are dug away and the materials used to make the buildings.<br />
<br />
Where we live we are surrounded by building sites.<br />
The building next door on one side of our building is almost finished.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eq3cavx2K8xEAVo5G4INwg?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="400" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SWWdGp_rnmI/AAAAAAAAJxg/az06oczTm0g/s288/pitch%20roof%20crop.jpg" width="238" /></a><br />
<br />
And on the other side there is a large vacant block.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cgD6Q0obzLz1KrGcYkARYA?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="267" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SPIGlUI_ojI/AAAAAAAAHtE/nvbPAYuLEt4/s400/IMG_5629.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
And then early one morning we were awoken by a lot of noise out there on the empty block.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iVsoFZQdpTBAzJOMhchaaQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SV2Q52hATyI/AAAAAAAAJv4/Npf7sNkzMxw/s400/100_1393.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
At first we thought, "Oh, no! Now they are going to start building on that block and it will be noisy all the time!'<br />
And over then next few days the trucks just kept on <i>coming </i>and dumping dirt.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/k4UKNaVZjxO3inIWKcV6mQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SV2Q-LfrqtI/AAAAAAAAJwI/MjViYNgnZCc/s400/100_1400.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Soon the pile was higher than the first floor. And then they started adding rocks as well.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_Iw8mDy53ddMB8_NMkwRhg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SV2Q__WamTI/AAAAAAAAJwQ/8Oh3mrqYofw/s400/100_1402.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
So now we have our own hill.<br />
<br />
One morning I was startled to look out of our living room window and come face-to-face with a chap on a digger. (He looked pleased with himself, after all I wasn't wearing an <i>abaya</i>!)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/edDrAyBuUc0axdU7r1H_Ow?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="266" src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SV2RBTXpMEI/AAAAAAAAJwY/YpmoRhD8l3A/s400/100_1406.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Do you think I should run up and down it a few times??<br />
<br />
So what is it? (I hear you ask). Well, they are building a new building down the road, and first they have to dig the foundations, basement etc. In the next street there is a very big hole, and they had to dump it all somewhere.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-64281982452665404422008-12-08T08:27:00.000-08:002017-10-08T02:48:21.085-07:00Up on the roofIt's easy for a Western woman to feel quite trapped in this city. So the rooftop of our building is the one place out of doors where a girl can go without having to cover up and become invisible.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MQ_-cu-daqN3VgyWrSXzJg?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SPIwf0LORAI/AAAAAAAAHvs/dbrFwFEpVtI/s400/100_1140.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
It was just a hard bare space when we came, but nowadays it's much friendlier.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/f76CCHU8RYD-61e1ITPvEg?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/ST1IRGWdAzI/AAAAAAAAJnw/b82iHiyDMuA/s400/100_1355.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
We have a gas barbecue. (That's Paul - he's a bit too tall to get the whole of him in one photo.)<br />
And other furniture ...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kIbFoaKOey-4wLB8dlTE4Q?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/ST1IOwY_-AI/AAAAAAAAJng/lWXNBSueJf0/s400/100_1353.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
and we can sit around and have get-togethers in the coolth of the evenings.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YOvG14KvzXRJue9XGqoM2A?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="266" src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/ST1IP9DVd8I/AAAAAAAAJno/WV8jn39JZlY/s400/100_1352.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Playing the Game</span><br />
<br />
And then Stanley (our Indian driver) saw a little badminton kit in the shops and persuaded Peter ...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/O6Kn29-s6SS13MEufEYHyQ?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="266" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/ST1ITPcBO7I/AAAAAAAAJoA/L4jhtASrRLc/s400/100_1377.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Stanley loooves playing badminton. But the little kit came with only two shuttlecocks.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wi98AbCxTNCAwE9NH-2Oeg?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYv44vZLKamxgTeUBB3laNstKeBv4liDRJ6MmXBNYfOQxDG8WqZHMNz_ZvThDqgAT52cs_aInq9jIMQ5c7ftbChd8LAWYtA1ATq3PlftaELesiYJnsMtINTfTO9BdT2_RyDLjEzLECRN8_/s400/100_1379.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
And soon they had both gone over the side!<br />
<br />
But he got them back, and lived to play another game or three<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1ylVvG60AgBQmsCRDXaNPw?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/ST1IUJpGJAI/AAAAAAAAJoI/gwxegZXnW5s/s800/100_1384.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Young "Tiger" wanted to play too ...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/PhFFx6Ypg89ZaHOoVZjoqw?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/ST1IW9eNV4I/AAAAAAAAJoY/B054Z4MD0ew/s400/Image026.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
... but then ... ! Oh! there goes another shuttlecock!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RX8wgkmtDxCE9R4X3YNMvw?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="400" src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/ST1IX4zPlEI/AAAAAAAAJog/urEnGgG0MMI/s400/Image027.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
Where did it go, and what's down there? (I hear you ask).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tyr6esLjEPKoa1QntMrQCg?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SPIw70op-gI/AAAAAAAAHwk/-9l1SdcAjt8/s400/IMG_5638.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
It's one of the many "light wells" in this place. Some windows are on the inside of the building and therefore open into a light well. But on the top floor all of the windows open into a light well or the roof-top "garden" area - can't risk having people looking into other people's houses or gardens.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Even higher up</span><br />
<br />
I climbed to the top section of the roof (again)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xd81HUYsEFjnO5741d0hyA?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJeTgOH-pe3AGbIsnen77yFu6h-_Iu6rvW4rgAWNwBeULJW5puOoehBlpfB4PbdV62czKit2f4H_DBh_ZQrHHu_m9sfYvvcj2ohJjpSk-sVOSublYcaXO0EkcMzWtl2D2twbQSzd66fSA/s800/100_1389.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
because it's such a good view. Oh, and that's K.<br />
<br />
Over the front side of the building I noticed something going on.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lWiLpHgNrxqVDIbcriOExQ?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/ST1I5ZQ6cHI/AAAAAAAAJo4/TvTMG9Sry5k/s800/100_1388.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
All those people down there - pretty unusual. Are they ... ?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4ejE_LB_-RcVcYfx6gj0Xg?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGY0WuFZnqFho6EJVHqwftITGR782ojvLfErEG0nIDFw1kOX2jY_3rWoBosYVi6rdxaKkYsHZbueJbb92pboAann7J_HBdJtm1KRm6kMp54z9q_fK6SadHWyHYZu2TyBonbmBnmpcT8d2R/s800/cricket%20crop%202.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Yep, they are! A bunch of Indian chappies playing cricket, in their robes 'n' all. (Of course, this is the "bachelor quarter" of the city.)Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-73128479427856941742008-11-20T22:01:00.001-08:002017-10-08T02:40:46.910-07:00Oh I've been to the desert in a bus with no windows ...Know the song? (about 'the horse with no name')<br />
<br />
Are you familiar with the (quite old-fashioned) saying:<br />
<br />
"<i>Children should be seen and not heard</i>" ... Well, in this country <span style="font-style: italic;">women should never be seen</span>.<br />
<br />
The rain has gone away again, and it was finally the girls' turn to go to the desert. The female faculty members (us) and staff (office and administrators) were all invited.<br />
<br />
I sat on a bus crowded with women in full cover-up mode (except for us foreign women who were wearing our black <i>abayas</i> but not head coverings). Women are not permitted to drive, and so in the presence of a male driver the women were all required to be covered. I found myself staring at the eyes peering through the slits in the headgear and listening to the excited voices chattering in Arabic, trying to recognise by their voices the women I work with day by day at the college. Of course, traveling by bus is in itself an unusual experience for the ladies. There are no public buses in this city.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Trtozt-p4hYM_bPCH9bBjw?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="300" src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SPzMzPx7YyI/AAAAAAAAH0o/xDUnHjAZv9M/s288/Image003.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
And the windows of our bus (the 25-seater bus we travel to work in every day) are totally covered over. I glimpsed some spectacular scenery through the little square of windscreen that was visible from my seat, but couldn't take any photos.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OV1QuH_Vg3qc3wcR1B9LKg?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSZOISiU93I/AAAAAAAAJjE/QPPV3tM74ms/s800/100_1300.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
The farm belongs to a relative of the (female) Deputy Rector of the University. In order for us to visit, all of the men associated with the farm had to leave.<br />
<br />
Of course when we got there, and the bus and driver had left, all the women uncovered and relaxed, and it was well worth the trip.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/akFVLWHFg7jGvvKAgLD2Dg?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSZODgGQmxI/AAAAAAAAJis/IPNyq7o_lw0/s800/100_1297.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
The word "oasis" takes on new meaning when you see the stark reality here.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dhNnArUMUM32vayMdi-h1A?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSZOG4Vh7SI/AAAAAAAAJi8/OGjDhJWxzIU/s800/100_1299.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
The ubiquitous palm trees are growing on the very edge of the desert,<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/U8zjUiZHGlY742rYdkhujQ?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSZOUTNB8VI/AAAAAAAAJkE/wwembdMynBc/s800/100_1321.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
bearing luscious dates.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/N70j5AlfhgbCZWX5xKxobw?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSZOa59Vn8I/AAAAAAAAJk4/W0KDZjpK3rU/s800/100_1328crop.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And then, of course, there are the very valuable camels.<br />
For what? Well they are not used for transport any more ... I think they race them. And I have seen camel milk, and camel meat products in the supermarkets.<br />
(We keep telling them that we have a million and more wild camels in Oz that we'd all like to get rid of ...)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YciROlH6wrpmhr8f5FeX7A?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSZOVkW6fcI/AAAAAAAAJkM/kh-tJp5sKnw/s800/100_1324.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
The farm house is a lovely relaxing place to be.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3zRdFlEn-_plcZoBg9qLCQ?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSZOMKjOL6I/AAAAAAAAJjc/1SBaUf9rVQ4/s800/100_1309.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
This outside room (patio?) was where we spent most of the day. More carpets were brought, and cushions and chairs and there was room for the whole group.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wIFrxUcYuqWQeXMGpyDwYw?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSZOJaaCxeI/AAAAAAAAJjM/jW5U8RCaaRI/s800/100_1305.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Inside - this would be such a nice,cool place to live!<br />
<br />
This is one of several large sitting rooms.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0YRSPrXmbPrZlp7XKhkhJg?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSZOKVsnq2I/AAAAAAAAJjU/UMFGaFrGFNM/s800/100_1306.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Those cushion-sofas were easily moved into our outside area, along with the elbow-rest cushions - very comfy!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/B_PQi4K_GFVEDCfnaixMGg?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSZONSWomuI/AAAAAAAAJjk/HtW9Fbn_1iI/s800/100_1314.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Flat roof - another place to relax, and with a view of the desert.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ok9wPYIpUaldkGKQNTZeLQ?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSZOO99UKHI/AAAAAAAAJjs/ikwpn7OEiSU/s800/100_1316.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
The buildings in the distance are where the camels are housed and fed ... and if this blog had smell-a-vision, you would know why they are so far from the homestead!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zNqTR_63BlHj_xdFUtAi3Q?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSZOQf3ygRI/AAAAAAAAJj0/go4NdNG_lrI/s800/100_1318.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Despite the desert being so close, the garden is fresh and green and pleasant. (I don't know what it's like here in the summer with the 60 degree heat and dust storms!)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8zvyBhMACw8EzJS92g47YA?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSZN8w_tQDI/AAAAAAAAJiQ/bzqYvv14AeE/s800/100_1290.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Another barbecue area with a rolled up carpet all ready to roll ...<br />
<br />
Because, of course, early evening (and morning I would guess) is when the desert is at its best.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/M3djF7fwaCnBR3OPJSdxKA?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSZOZ1G_UVI/AAAAAAAAJkw/-cO7crllFRo/s800/100_1336.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Absolutely the best time to walk in the desert.<br />
<br />
And then back to the farm house.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/No6upBBHKKApn8YdIE9wJA?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSZOcfv7hCI/AAAAAAAAJlI/l3RtuJNNEuY/s800/100_1338.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Then it was time to abaya-up ... a quick smoke on the roof for Sally ...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EAiofqM4nLMD-rV0aKy87w?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSZOb4QYw6I/AAAAAAAAJlA/oZTSyYPdU2o/s800/100_1342.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
And back in the bus to the big noisy city.<br />
<br />
Now why didn't they build the college out there in the desert?Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-76552009321386069652008-11-18T08:18:00.000-08:002008-11-18T08:31:45.660-08:00Men and Boys<table style="width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/o7nd5CxZwOJgRn0678tobA?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSLYM38JtkI/AAAAAAAAH8Q/FCfCxRxgvmY/s400/100_1286.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/HowdiSaudi02?authkey=_I973PLRRAA">Howdi Saudi</a></td></tr></tbody></table>In case you can't see the writing on the paper, it says "I love Dr Peter".<br /><br />So what are Saudi students like to teach? As you can see, they are very special.<br /><br />I would love to show you some pictures of my girls, but they are shyer than shy - they cover themselves completely outside of home and school. But under their abayas they are normal girls.<br /><br /><table style="width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/n_ZRTsaPu-HwRBF0-T-J3A?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSLYLSceVMI/AAAAAAAAH8I/4xXj5Jp4kUw/s800/100_1280.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/HowdiSaudi02?authkey=_I973PLRRAA">Howdi Saudi</a></td></tr></tbody></table>So how's that for a class of boys? It was a cold-ish day, hence the jackets and jumpers.<br />And here are some of them in the classroom.<br /><br /><table style="width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KHGcXTgy0VwPGIX3yMhNAQ?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SSLYJLd3JuI/AAAAAAAAH74/C4WXkzF2mqA/s400/100_1245.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/HowdiSaudi02?authkey=_I973PLRRAA">Howdi Saudi</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Yep. Normal young men.<br /><br />And what's it like teaching in a college that is all shiny and new? Just to give you a hint of how sumptuous and spacious it all is ...<br /><br /><table style="width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0vW9-hcIR2aAa9HYIzXfqQ?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QQhpSDk6acbTc1OF6zbH_FFQScxGt4hZc6JwNlu6VpYFgx6lhxVavAUVYmK4_TN46SjXY79uOVH3r9vGnlhbyRIl002FFf7imoM72jmx8JCvp8Ch2PMoABVFAmGNcdPTSZQ_fOYo0oMW/s800/100_1272.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/HowdiSaudi02?authkey=_I973PLRRAA">Howdi Saudi</a></td></tr></tbody></table>here is teacher Paul meeting with the Rector (principal) of the college, Dr Obaid, in his office.<br /><br />Um, yes, his office is a <span style="font-style: italic;">little</span> larger than mine! But I don't begrudge him that. He is a wise and gracious man and we all appreciate him greatly.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-81630272332378385812008-11-10T07:09:00.000-08:002017-10-08T00:05:53.006-07:00DesertedWe really don't get out much.!<br />
<br />
When I go out through the front door I must be covered with my black abaya. Then I go with the others on our work bus to work, or to a shopping mall ... that's it, that's all really.<br />
<br />
But last week us girls were all invited on a desert trip on the weekend, to a farm in the desert somewhere north of Riyadh. Despite being thoroughly weary at the end of the week we were excited and looking forward to seeing something, anything, outside of the city.<br />
<br />
Then it rained a couple of days before the weekend, and so it was cancelled.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">The Boys Desert Trip</span><br />
<br />
The male teachers were also invited into the desert by some of the male students, and a little rain (which stopped before the weekend anyway) didn't bother them one bit.<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nvnibtYGzGlqPckH9nkXTw?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="266" src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SRhMNoH6r5I/AAAAAAAAH4U/x9gCJsGQJi4/s400/100_1170.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<br />
The first stop along the way was a restaurant for Second Breakfast. Here is teacher Paul getting stuck into the green drink they serve here - lime juice and finely chopped fresh mint, quite a wake-up sort of a drink.<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/86zEPgdTAQKfN9z_cK8dvA?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="266" src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SRhMQIIpunI/AAAAAAAAH4c/bwNlOI7joOQ/s400/100_1171.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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And then they hit the road. These chaps generally like to drive <i>fast</i>, and the highways are built for speed.<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pk7w7A4FLZa-EFKVek8eaw?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SRhMRi6C1mI/AAAAAAAAH4k/UQLgmHf6FQc/s400/100_1173.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
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This is some sort of a check-point, built in the local style. The police commonly stop cars and check up on single guys, because we all know what they must be up to.<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gjO7sz6ECn4lDXcxQj-iWw?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="266" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SRhMUaDNPfI/AAAAAAAAH4s/pOlJFPSWqCc/s400/100_1179.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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So what would you expect to find on a farm in the desert?<br />
<br />
<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XO4z0AXqFi4zHbVSyr_FSw?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="266" src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SRhMXtKarDI/AAAAAAAAH40/eP4o9roxfzY/s400/100_1180.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Well, it is a <i>desert</i>. Those would have to be date palms.<br />
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The tent. Here the boys could eat and relax - it's quite luxurious inside.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Boys Just Wanna Have Fun</span><br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kTmKObiHw7IsMh4JophBdg?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SRhMa3hcAfI/AAAAAAAAH5E/DJBXnmRf8iI/s400/100_1184.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
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So what <u>is</u> there for boys to do in the desert??<br />
<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xYrpoaLavB7WlXxn47no7A?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="266" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SRhMczxHzNI/AAAAAAAAH5M/_ADJEQh59qY/s400/100_1188.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Here they are heading off to have some fun.<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-1QkQamaohEM7RGQPNkxng?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="266" src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SRhMeJHdzTI/AAAAAAAAH5U/ThnpTYKNLdM/s400/100_1190.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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So ... are those sprinklers in the desert??<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/L6gym3qB_TiIhflWQDkORw?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SRhMjnbE4aI/AAAAAAAAH5s/Imb2BI3zYCg/s400/100_1206.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
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Now <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">these</span> sprinklers have clearly been working, growing fodder for a herd of very valuable camels.<br />
<br />
And <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">here's</span> a place where the boys can have some fun.<br />
<br />
<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hV04inAEqAR62Czw9vMvyA?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SRhMlMIQMRI/AAAAAAAAH50/gsV46KeITLw/s400/100_1211.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
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First you have to let the tyres down a little bit.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kMhFhIvhzmft49cQQGaZoA?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SRhM3KliyuI/AAAAAAAAH68/LW2BL7UuLGk/s400/100_1201crop.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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Now that's how the boys like to play.<br />
<br />
<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nLsyecXODplJafXQ2dKhWg?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="266" src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SRhMmh3eWtI/AAAAAAAAH58/J3NlUkKWD1A/s400/100_1212.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MEdpBjfgQzpTpEZuqgsHgw?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="266" src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SRhMn_7EDII/AAAAAAAAH6E/KahDQkucSXM/s400/100_1214.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Look at what they did! That was so worth a trip to the desert for, now wasn't it?!<br />
<br />
<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5jfUExjNSpw0WqMy7qoyug?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="266" src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SRhMrwJ9zZI/AAAAAAAAH6U/eNxBFwzLim4/s400/100_1220.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Back to the farm for a meal. The teachers gather around the campfire outside.<br />
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It's getting cold and Paul didn't bring a jacket, so the young chaps give him some local gear to wear.<br />
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Now that they are all getting traditional, it's time to pass the pipe. Peter has a puff at the apple-flavoured smoke.<br />
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I heard that they were also all challenged to eat something from the (cooked) sheep's head. Peter pleased his hosts greatly by consuming one of the eyeballs, and then the other one too. He said it wasn't too bad - except that he was already so full from everything else he had eaten so that he almost gagged on it.<br />
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It was a bit of a long day, and Paul and Phillip are exhausted so they are relaxing inside the tent until it's time to go home.<br />
<br />
It was around 2.30 am when they finally returned to the city.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-37927197450566947302008-11-03T08:24:00.000-08:002017-10-07T23:53:31.018-07:00Lift Off!<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/o2a6t49l_I4cwAVsIrexpA?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="400" src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SQ8Rz1jy-qI/AAAAAAAAH3k/4es-A5QL_UM/s400/100_1154.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
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Finally!<br />
<br />
They have fixed the lift in our apartment block. There are shiny doors on the outside, and, naturally, a button to press.<br />
<br />
When we press the button, there is a loud whooshing sound, the lift arrives and the doors glide open<br />
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revealing this <i>shiny</i> metal box.<br />
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It is <i>very </i>squeezy, with room for one person, or two very good friends! I'm glad that the ride is very quick, because I can only hold my breath for a short while.<br />
<br />
(Why do I hold my breath? Um, rising sense of panic basically.)Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-49085007826415095122008-11-03T08:16:00.000-08:002017-10-07T21:49:11.569-07:00Night BurbleA friend suggested this to us, and I have found it to be very useful.<br />
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The air is SO DRY, I was waking up with my tongue all swollen and dry, and gagging with a dry throat.<br />
<br />
Our friends have a humidifier running in their main room all the time. So now we have this little fella burbling in our bedroom through the night. It pumps a couple of litres of water into the air every night - and it makes a real difference.<br />
<br />
One night I forgot to turn it on. And in the morning I remembered why we bought it!Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-44476545404061771362008-11-03T07:13:00.000-08:002017-10-07T21:47:42.196-07:00Rainy Day in RiyadhI thought I'd better grab a pickie while it's still here.<br />
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Definitely rain. Puddles and stuff. It hasn't had a major impact on our lives, except it's so cooooool! The students are all wearing warm clothes and turning <i>off</i> the air-con and shutting the windows.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-8338316222669245822008-11-02T07:07:00.000-08:002017-10-07T21:46:22.181-07:00I've looked at clouds from both sides now<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
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I never thought I would appreciate clouds SO much!<br />
<br />
There have been a few rain showers already, and the weather is beautiful and cool.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-28677177948631229992008-10-20T11:33:00.000-07:002017-10-07T21:45:15.752-07:00Ticked offWe have heard of the "Mutawa'a" - the religious police who (among other things) make sure the women are all modest and safe.<br />
<br />
And today I met my first one. <span style="font-style: italic;">Wish</span> I could've taken a picture!<br />
<br />
We were sitting on a bench in a shopping mall, waiting for our bus ride back to the apartment, and I noticed first of all a man in khaki uniform - police, I presume. Then I noticed the man next to him wearing unusual dress - over his thobe he had a black cape trimmed with gold.<br />
<br />
He came over to us (W and I) and asked us to cover our heads. My colleague apologised, saying she did not have her scarf with her and would remember next time. I obediently reached into my bag for my scarf, but by the time I got it out he was gone, around the corner having a word to M - another one of our teachers.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-21130272191440238662008-10-20T11:28:00.000-07:002017-10-07T21:42:18.753-07:00Lorry what sucks dirty water out of holes?At first we thought it was a sucky lorry, but of course it wasn't.<br />
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This is the lorry that puts the <i>clean</i> water into the hole. This is how they fill our water tanks on the roof.<br />
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We came downstairs to get on the bus to go to work this morning and caught them at it!<br />
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And here is Sally, one of our teachers (wearing her abaya) getting onto our college bus.<br />
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(You'll notice it has no windows. There is no public transport here - no buses, no trains - because men and women cannot travel together unless related. The University doesn't want everyone to see us travelling together.)Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-7906885150773066572008-10-15T10:39:00.000-07:002017-10-07T21:38:50.776-07:00Pool Party<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
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We were officially invited to attend a formal dinner party with the Sheikh (DAU owner) and the Minister for Education and various other VIPs.<br />
<br />
This being the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we were picked up at 8.30 pm for the 9:00 pm meal, which actually started around 10:00 pm.<br />
<br />
Little did we realise it would be a <span style="font-weight: bold;">pool party</span> by the college swimming pool (on the men's side).<br />
<br />
Not that anyone actually did any swimming.<br />
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As always with a formal event, the first question is: what should I wear? The women asked if we would be required to wear our abayas, and the response was: "Yes, you are allowed to wear abayas." We understood that to mean that yes, we had to! After all, we would be entering the Men's Side of the University. You can't see it, but I put on my nicest skirt, just in case we got an opportunity to uncover. I know <i>one</i> of the other women went in her pyjamas by way of protest ...<br />
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But you can't tell which one. And the men all scrubbed up pretty well with their suits and ties.<br />
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Young 'Tiger' (the future golfer, according to his doting dad) came along too, firmly strapped into his brand new pusher.<br />
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As you can see, he's a delightful little chappy, everyone's darling.<br />
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Of course, the other guests were wearing their traditional thobes and ghutra - they dress this way all the time, not just on special occasions.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/PQ-Wg2xrVYyY7hrjZE8EPQ?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SPYqB6__KrI/AAAAAAAAHyM/pIcd49HO878/s800/Image014.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/HowdiSaudi02?authkey=_I973PLRRAA">Howdi Saudi</a></td></tr>
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The food, of course, was absolutely magnificent, and we all went home to bed with uncomfortably full bellies after attempting to have at least a little taste of everything!<br />
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We didn't eat any of it, but we were very impressed with the carved watermelon:<br />
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There were a couple of carved pumpkins on display too.<br />
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Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-34950420330626718302008-10-12T10:24:00.000-07:002017-10-07T21:10:23.523-07:00Home Sweet HomeWe finally moved out of the Boudl Hotel and into our new apartment. The whole block is taken up by the foreign teachers at Dar Al Uloom University.<br />
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Come visit with us in our new apartment!<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mbvXjPpXK8nBIsRyYU7sRw?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SPIGr_kxBeI/AAAAAAAAHtM/CT53e4ovyMM/s800/IMG_5632.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/HowdiSaudi02?authkey=_I973PLRRAA">Howdi Saudi</a></td></tr>
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Like so much of Riyadh, the whole area is a building site.<br />
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This is the building we live in - there is our college bus parked outside. Our apartment is on the second floor - you can see our three windows on the right hand side of the building near the back.<br />
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This is the view if you stand at the front door and look left.<br />
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And this is what you see if you look to the right.<br />
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This part of Riyadh is actually designated as a "bachelor quarter", so no family homes and not a place where us ladies can walk outside at all.<br />
<br />
And obviously, lots of construction going on. Come on in, lets go upstairs ...<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TBkTS5CZ8YYJUTxwv2Cyww?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="266" src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SPIHqG9vcUI/AAAAAAAAHtc/ONB1gnRojQM/s400/100_1089.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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We will have to use the stairs because the tiny little lift "isn't quite ready" yet.<br />
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The apartments are lovely and spacious!<br />
Here is our sitting room,<br />
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the dining room,<br />
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and the kitchen<br />
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This does for a laundry.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9P2Ij7oiSocQmktk8-41-g?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="400" src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SPIHvNkX5JI/AAAAAAAAHtk/uJIGi-Iimu4/s288/100_1092.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
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That is a washing machine tucked into the second bathroom, which comes with a squat toilet and shower.<br />
And this bedroom is our office<br />
<br />
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and of course we have a great big bedroom, but I'm not showing you that.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Up on the Roof</span><br />
<br />
There is no garden, or yard, of course, but we have a lovely big open area on the flat roof - we are looking forward to having barbecues and get-togethers as soon the weather gets cooler.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MQ_-cu-daqN3VgyWrSXzJg?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="266" src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SPIwf0LORAI/AAAAAAAAHvs/jwlt_8k6BH4/s400/100_1140.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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And there are the water tanks which get filled with water delivered by truck. (We haven't seen it happen yet.)<br />
<br />
So we went up on the roof, and climbed up higher (up by the tanks) to take a look around.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vQlyVz-5GGywTKLQkLpnDA?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="266" src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SPIwjlNjM4I/AAAAAAAAHv0/edqWcNEVx44/s400/100_1138.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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That tall thing in the distance is the mosque minaret - that's what we wake up to at 4:30 am.<br />
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And on the extreme right you can <i>just</i> see the two minarets of the university mosque.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xUeYhX33uemMhUgZPhgqpg?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="265" src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SPIxBH4ZSnI/AAAAAAAAHw0/NHJ1L_HEJgE/s288/IMG_5644.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Oh, look down there! Our nearest neighbours have a garden ... well, grass.<br />
<br />
If we look out south-ish,<br />
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we can<i> just</i> see the Kingdom Tower in the middle of the city (right in the middle, on the horizon).<br />
<br />
Although it can sometimes be a little dusty and bleak, it has a certain charm.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-tTH564tJ8LYUs5HyX0zLw?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SPIwx8ZJRLI/AAAAAAAAHwU/22KNNX_z7SM/s800/100_1118.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ruth.wickham/HowdiSaudi02?authkey=_I973PLRRAA">Howdi Saudi</a></td></tr>
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Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-3167485022689145672008-10-12T04:32:00.000-07:002017-10-07T20:50:37.585-07:00One day you're gonna get caught ...D'you remember that old advert for Rio (?) undies?<br />
<br />
Well, today I went to work undressed, by mistake ... I was distracted (and a wee bit tired) and I just plain forgot.<br />
<br />
Distracted? Half way through my morning shower the water went off, while I was soapy. But at least I had a chance to get soapy, Peter totally missed out. We have since been told that we have a water tank on the roof (of our new apartments) and it has to be filled by a tanker. (Easy to take Mains water for granted!) Now we are hoping that they do it before we get home from work today. We had been vaguely wondering where our water comes from in this incredibly parched place ...<br />
<br />
Well, after all that kerfuffle and hassle, we got ready and got on the work bus. I was sitting there chatting, everyone was discussing water and the like, and suddenly I looked down and realised aaaah! I forgot to put on my abaya! Here I am in every day clothes! I felt so naked!<br />
<br />
It doesn't really matter, we don't wear them at work. But I had to scurry quickly off the bus and through the women's gate into the college!Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-40486538047720214452008-10-09T21:29:00.000-07:002017-10-07T20:47:27.532-07:00Shopping Mall PeekTaking photos in places like this is generally not allowed. But with my little phone camera, and sitting on a bench with my trolley in front of me, I snapped a couple of pics.<br />
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I didn't manage to catch any big groups of people - because the mall was actually quite crowded by local standards.<br />
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Can you imagine how hard it is for a man to find his wife if he becomes separated from her?<br />
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As least the western woman mostly go about with their heads uncovered, and many have colourful trims on their gowns. But the traditional ones are still totally in black with only the eyes peering through a slit - sometimes with glasses perched on the outside of the clothing (always reminds me of 'Cousin It').Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-24910894062945281342008-10-09T21:24:00.000-07:002017-10-07T20:45:19.411-07:00Be careful what you wish forIn the Middle East, you don't expect to find toilet tissues provided - it is expected that you will use the squirty water thing like everyone else.<br />
<br />
But, as a Pakistani (Muslim) teacher said to me - after that you need something to dry yourself! On behalf of my staff, I whinged and pleaded to the powers that be ... and finally they gave in.<br />
<br />
When I walked in and saw this I had to laugh out loud.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3ADCHn9bp62TfOFkWQNvEQ?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="300" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SO7YJW4HPII/AAAAAAAAHq8/PPF3CF8YsCA/s400/Image010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Soft like toilet tissue, but big like kitchen towel. (Or is it just a very tiny toilet?)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Lovely ladies</span><br />
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These two delightful women hang around our offices all day, cleaning what has not yet had a chance to get dirty. They are very proud of the new uniforms the college has supplied. Here they are in my office affixing my new pin-up board to the wall - it is such a kerfuffle if you want to call a man into the women's side to do a job like this. They had quite a struggle with it at first, it seemed to be warped and wouldn't sit flat against the wall. And then we remembered:<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zUQufxW9bxBEPIN9Q1eneA?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img height="400" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SNetO6tcqFI/AAAAAAAAHiQ/YvGbJDucEz8/s288/Image011.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
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<br />
that side of the office is not flat or straight! So they had to select a flat wall to stick the board to.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-24243838851577563062008-10-03T00:25:00.000-07:002017-10-07T20:53:08.331-07:00Do the Penguin March<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Girls' Day Out</span></span><br />
<br />
So now there are four female teachers who have arrived in Riyadh already, and only one man (Peter). In attempting to help us all settle in and feel welcome, a delightful local lady on staff at Dar Al Uloom offered to take us ladies out for a bit of a tour and a meal at a nice restaurant.<br />
<br />
There are very few places in KSA where men and women can go to together. The zoo, for instance, has days for men and children, and days for women and children, but no days when you can go as a family.<br />
<br />
But although Ramadan is finally over for this year, this is now the third day of the Eid holiday, and so<br />
<br />
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everything - including the National Museum here - was basically closed. These little boys were curious about what <i>we</i> are doing inside the foyer.<br />
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We had come in through the self-opening doors at the other side, the door on their side didn't seem to be operating. But they were kinda cute. And to them we just looked like a group of penguins wandering around.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6vH3hV7i0TPN0IDq1eO9mA?authkey=_I973PLRRAA"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_VkFQaQA_F9Q/SOXB2N8y6dI/AAAAAAAAHpw/wIddUBg7bmc/s400/dau%20women.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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In the end the four of us went to a Lebanese Restaurant and had a wonderful meal.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-58646276981505527472008-10-03T00:12:00.000-07:002017-10-07T20:20:10.986-07:00D'uh!!<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Long Cold Showers</span></span><br />
<br />
The complexities of cross-cultural living can sometimes leave the brain just a little befuddled and even the simplest of tasks can appear difficult.<br />
<br />
The taps on the shower in our hotel room have no indication as to which side is 'hot' and which is 'cold'. In our safety conscious homeland this would be unthinkable - after all, what if someone got confused and scalded themselves ... and then sued?<br />
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We turned the tap to the left, and the water came out freezing cold. We turned it to the right, and it started to get warm, and after a few minutes it became lukewarm, bearable for a shower. We found that our newly-arrived colleagues next door were having the same problem, and we considered complaining to the management.<br />
<br />
Although the weather is very warm, stepping from a barely warm shower into the air-conditioning can have quite a chilling effect. So yesterday when the weather was a tad cooler, I had a long, cool shower after waiting in vain for it to reach lukewarm. Peter couldn't face it, and so he brought a bowlful of scalding hot water from the tap in the kitchen to pour over himself. As this water was a bit <span style="font-style: italic;">too</span> hot, he turned the shower to the left ('cold') to top it up with cold water. After a few seconds he found scalding hot water coming out of the 'cold' tap ...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">D'uh!!</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>
<i>(The water from the cold tap was heated by the sun on the pipes. The hot water came through cold pipes from the hot water system.)</i><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644925081311327841.post-29983912433127987742008-09-25T22:31:00.000-07:002017-10-09T19:42:30.554-07:00Empty StreetsA couple of times I have looked out of the windows in our hotel suite. Obviously the windows are not there for views - far from being French windows, the sill is chin-height for me, and they are heavily curtained. When I touched the glass it was really hot, and it took a couple of minutes for my pupils to recover from my quick peek outside.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mEDMMKeUtAmJtPXpYGzkHg"><img height="266" src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/ruth.wickham/SNxltCS4yEI/AAAAAAAAHlU/ZvwR_K5-nGg/s400/100_1053.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Well, there really isn't much of a view out there!<br />
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We are having trouble getting used to the idea that we can't walk anywhere. And not (just) because it is <i>very</i> hot out there. We have been told very definitely that it is "unseemly". That applies to any time of year, but especially now because it is the fasting month of <i>Ramadan</i>.<br />
<br />
(This also means we can't carry food or drink with us, nor purchase and consume any when we get there.)<br />
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So here we are doing the unthinkable. That is Amani, the only other teacher who has so far arrived and who lives in the hotel suite next to ours. As her husband and kids are still in the UK, and women really can't 'go it alone' here, Peter has to look after the two of us.<br />
<br />
The bright green building behind me is right next to our hotel. We are standing by a service road - on the other side of the fence is the 8-lane northern ring-road with vehicles ripping past at much more than 110 kph.<br />
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We were trying to walk to the Carrefour shopping centre, only about a 9 minute walk away (in theory). There were a couple of high speed roads for us to nip across to get into the air-conditioned coolth of the shopping centre. Most of the shops (other than Carrefour itself) were of course closed because of <i>Ramadan</i>. They would mostly open around 8 or 9 pm until 3 in the morning.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">DAU University</span></span><br />
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This is the main front gate of the University where we work. There is a <i>lot</i> of green tinted glass, it's all very new and very shiny, and makes an interesting picture when you see it reflecting the surrounding landscape!<br />
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Here are Amani and myself outside again - can you imagine how <i>hot</i> that is! We had to go into the women's side of the building, and we walked there from here without anyone noticing. Later in the afternoon when it was time to return home they wouldn't allow us to walk the 10 or 20 metres from the Women's gate to the main gate where the college van was picking us up, someone gave us a ride in a car for those few metres.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Kingdom Tower</span></span><br />
<br />
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The streets around the hotel are an unsightly mess with road-works, building sites, and rubble, and we figured there must be a more up-market side to Riyadh. So, come the evening, we grabbed a taxi and instructed the driver to take us to the famous Kingdom Tower in the centre of the city.<br />
<br />
It was night, and sparkling with lights - making photographs impossible, especially as the taking of photos is generally frowned upon anyway.<br />
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The 3 lowest floors of this remarkable structure are a shopping centre. I'm not sure what the rest is (although I'm sure there is a hotel there, among other things). And it was basically your slightly-better -than-average shopping mall, <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> flash ... but I really wished that I could've taken some photos of the men and women strolling around. The men were almost all in their 'thobe' s (long white robes) with their red and white,or plain white, tea-towel-like cloths ('ghutra') on their heads. And the women were all in black. Although I have heard heard that coloured abayas have started to become popular, I have yet to see any. About half of the women had chosen to have their heads uncovered - as is permitted in these malls - but the rest were totally covered with only their bright eyes showing through the slit in their veils. I used to think the women covered because they were forced to do so; but I have observed from the women I have talked to so far that it is very much of their own choosing. Or so they say.<br />
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There were a number of restaurants in the mall. But each one had two separate sections. The main eating area (unmarked) was for men and boys only. Nearby, off to the side, and screened off, was the 'family section'. Even the food serveries, which were no more than an open counter, had a screen halfway along where 'families' could place their orders.<br />
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On the third floor is a brand new concept - a Women Only floor! There is a guard on the lift to make sure no men enter. We didn't go up, but we have heard that the attendants are all women (elsewhere <i>all</i> shop assistants are men, even in women's clothing stores) and there are even changing rooms in the clothes shops up there ...<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Starbucks</span></span><br />
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We wandered around the shops, made a few small purchases in 'Marks and Sparks', and then felt drawn to Starbucks for a cuppa before finding a taxi to take us home. Starbucks looked familiar and inviting with it's big comfy chairs and range of coffees and other treats. I noticed a number of white-thobed men relaxing there ... uh oh. The man behind the counter pointed next door to the 'family section' behind some screened glass doors. In here there was the usual counter service but the floor was cracked vinyl which grabs at your shoes when you are trying to carry a try of drinks to the grubby little curtained-off booths, each of which contained a wobbly table and some old wooden chairs. It was not quite the plush homely feeling we are used to in Starbucks!<br />
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As it was after 11 pm, things were just hotting up in the shopping centre - it was beginning to be almost crowded. We went outside and thought about walking down the street to do a bit of window shopping. But it was out of the question as the traffic was horrific and there was no one else walking around. I figure this is how these big malls are designed, so people just go to the one mall to shop around, and then get back into the car and drive home. There are no outside community areas, parks or whatever, just malls.<br />
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The taxi driver wanted to charge us twice what it cost to come into the centre, so we walked away until he brought the cost down a bit. But when we drove back to the hotel he took us to the wrong ring-road exit and had to go miles around to get back.<br />
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These cement barricades are everywhere, blocking off roads and redirecting traffic. If you come down our road on the other side you then come to a T-junction and you have to turn right for about half a kilmetre, do a U-turn and go back the other way for another couple of kilometres, do another U-turn and come back to the T-junction, and <i>then</i> you can turn right into our street and go down the one-way service road next to our hotel. Fortunately petrol is very, very cheap!Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08413223567586507894noreply@blogger.com1