Well here is the beginning of my Saudi blog, a sort of diary/drop-in for you to see what things are like over here and what I'm up to.
There are various other compounds or camps in Dammam area for other companies or just residential areas for ex-pats. You can come and go between these pretty freely, for eg if there's a restaurant on another camp or there's a 'do' somewhere else, but for a specific event you usually need to have your name left at the gate to get in.
Hum, i think that's all for now - this pic is just another one of the car park where i get the bus. There is also a mini mart here which is bit of handy thing for someone as vacant as me about shopping.
So I have been here almost 3 months now, arriving seems quite a long time ago now and then sometimes feels like i've been here no time at all.
As you prob know by now, I flew over with another girl, Maggie, who comes from Falkirk and is a nurse here - we made the flight from Amsterdam together. Business class was a first for me and was really nice, but to be honest, apart from the great amount of room +comfiness (def a plus), wasn't really into all the bone china scrimping and sirring that went on. I quite like the TV dinners we get in economy. Some people are never happy eh!
Since we've been here, it's been good being two 'newbies' as we've hung out quite alot, chatted and got through the paperwork. Both our passports were taken away at the airport which was a bit freaky at first but nowt to worry about. got them back without being sent to a dark corner somewhere. None of our luggage was checked after all the potential of having everything searched but apparently you just never know.
Since we've been here, it's been good being two 'newbies' as we've hung out quite alot, chatted and got through the paperwork. Both our passports were taken away at the airport which was a bit freaky at first but nowt to worry about. got them back without being sent to a dark corner somewhere. None of our luggage was checked after all the potential of having everything searched but apparently you just never know.
When we were leaving the airport, a western pilot told us, in this low whisper 'you should be wearing an abiya!' - and we (or rather I, because for some reason he pointed at me, not Maggie!!) - were like, we just got off the bloody plane!! nobody told us! Anyway, he must have been on his own hobby horse as apparently its not a requirement for new people.
So this is my new housie on Mango Court!
So this is my new housie on Mango Court!
As you can see, I'm very lucky as it's v cute and cottagey (well, to me anyway!). Housing is a bit of thorny issue here, it's allocated according to job grade and I've already nearly had my head taken off by saying where i live to the approx respnse 'how come you're on Mango when you've only just got here'. this is where i'll be unless i decide move but you have to stay wherever you are for 2 years before 'bidding' on somewhere else. I find it very lovely so am not thinking to move. Where I am is in the more residential part of camp, known as the Hills (I know. If only it were the MTV show and I were Lauren whats-er-face.)
This is a view looking up from my garden gate and car park that's there. also where i get the bus to work.
Camp is pretty big, I don't know miles-wise but big enough to need a car (or bus or taxi) to get around. It consists of main Core Area, this is where main office buildings are, plus shop (locally known as 'the Comm', short for Commissary), post office, fire station etc. It's kind of town central. Then it fans out to the residential area, where it's pretty green, there is the obligatory golf club, sports areas etc. Alot of the nurses /secretaries are in the Ball Park flats (so called because it's by what used to be a baseball park and is now big grassy bit).
It's alot like an American suburb, in fact we may be in Saudi but i'm not the first to comment that as far as being on camp goes, you're pretty much in America. I suppose because originally it was Amercians coming over way back (and i think as a result they feel like they are 'due' here more than anybody else or so the attitude seems to go....). Anyway, it's pretty nice, very wide open, green bits, for this i guess we ought owe the US touch a good deal of thanks. The road layouts, the housing, the general 'feel' of the place. Alot of Saudis now live on camp as well. This wasn't the case in the past and has clamped down alot on camp parties etc and having 'bars' - some people feel very strongly about it, as feel $it was built as a western compound and should be treated as such. on the other side, the company itself is now majority (if not all) Saudi owned, and is 'actively' pursuing Saudization (which i guess you can understand) so technically they have as much right to be here as anyone. i can see both sides and am new enough it doesn't rankle me because I didn't know how it was before. I actually like having the Saudis around, for a start they can be friendlier than the westerners!!
There are security gates at various points and a main gate to get into (or out of) camp itself. The traffice through these is pretty free flow and not daunting but you need to show your pass going through. This in contrast to other camps where you are very, very aware of the security issue and sobered me up well and truly one evening going to a restaurant. It is easy (or it has been for me) to get caught up in the dailies and forget actually where I am from time to time, but then again there is no point in thinking about it too much or you'd just get in a state.
There are security gates at various points and a main gate to get into (or out of) camp itself. The traffice through these is pretty free flow and not daunting but you need to show your pass going through. This in contrast to other camps where you are very, very aware of the security issue and sobered me up well and truly one evening going to a restaurant. It is easy (or it has been for me) to get caught up in the dailies and forget actually where I am from time to time, but then again there is no point in thinking about it too much or you'd just get in a state.
There are various other compounds or camps in Dammam area for other companies or just residential areas for ex-pats. You can come and go between these pretty freely, for eg if there's a restaurant on another camp or there's a 'do' somewhere else, but for a specific event you usually need to have your name left at the gate to get in. Hum, i think that's all for now - this pic is just another one of the car park where i get the bus. There is also a mini mart here which is bit of handy thing for someone as vacant as me about shopping.
