The Kingdom-Al Khobar
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KSA: The Majik Kingdom
Desert Dreams & Backup Plans
"The Desert Is Clean"
The Reality Check
From Caribbean Dreams to Desert Plans
A year ago today I was riding a horse in the Caribbean living my dream, now I'm in Saudi Arabia living my backup plan - Cha Ching!
Sometimes life takes you from your dream destination to your backup plan, but the desert has its own magic. The transition from tropical paradise to sandy kingdom teaches us that adventure comes in many forms.
2002-2009
Three Kingdoms, Three Experiences
I have lived and worked in Jeddah (2002-03) and Riyadh (2008-09); and now find The Eastern Province the most agreeable. One thing I can say with certainty: The Desert Is Clean.
Three Christmas' working in The Kingdom - each one a different adventure in the land of endless sand.
The NoMad Chronicles
Teacher Reports from the Field
I have been doing a Newsletter called "The NoMad Teacher Report" - chronicling the adventures, challenges, and cultural discoveries of teaching in the desert kingdom.
From the trenches of cross-cultural education: documenting the nomadic teacher's journey through the Kingdom's educational landscape.
Career Evolution
From Art Dealer to The Art of War
The transformation from dealing in art to mastering the art of survival in a new culture. Every expatriate learns that adaptation is the ultimate art form.
From Ships to Planes - the evolution continues in the desert kingdom.
Aviation Wisdom
Equal Take-offs and Landings
As long as you have an equal number of take-offs and landings, you're doing fine!
We're AmeriCANS not AmeriCANT'S
Living in the Kingdom teaches you that every departure is balanced by an arrival, every challenge by an opportunity. The aviation metaphor becomes a life philosophy.
Desert Spa Day
Dead Sea Clay Adventures
I'm on land but Is The Dead Sea Clay Mask going overboard?
From The Disney Magic to The Majik Kingdom And Back. Sometimes the best adventures happen when you're just trying to take care of yourself in the middle of the desert.
Even in the driest places, you find ways to refresh and rejuvenate. The desert teaches you to appreciate every drop of moisture.
Cultural Observations
You Know You've Been in Saudi Too Long When...
300 Reasons you might be a Redneck... Thank you Jeff Foxworthy! Now I have to decide "You know you have been in Saudi Arabia too long when..."
1. You don't see any problem with a goat riding in the passenger seat.
2. You think being liberated means sitting in the female section.
3. You expect to go to jail when a local national hits the back of your car at a stop sign.
4. You think a red light is just a "suggestion."
5. You resign your position a year in advance.
The humor of adaptation: when the absurd becomes normal, and normal becomes absurd.
Compound Life
Ice Skating in the Desert
Yes they have an ice skating rink in the desert!
Beyond the bricks and mortar and the barbed wire of my compound there is a world like no other. With restaurants, swimming pools, gymnasiums, soccer fields, and more it's like living an international country club lifestyle within a gated community.
Swimming pools are awesome - especially when you're surrounded by endless sand.
Writer's Wisdom
Write? Right!
I like writing. I just don't like the paperwork! Furthermore, isn't good, really good writing about taking the mundane and giving it its sublime due. In fact, it has been just the reverse with this blog--I have been to exotic ports of call, and incredible destinations- sublime, and then there is me trying to pedestrianize these experiences.
A one-liner sums up most of these places:
Japan: "Please take your shoes off."
Saudi Arabia: (while wearing shorts in a Jeddah restaurant) Sir, your body parts are showing. Please put on pants.
England: While asking for directions, "You're American, aren't you." "Yes, How do you know that?" "Because you are smiling, god damn it you're smiling". (It was raining).
Scotland: No such thing as bad weather only bad clothing.
Food is especially interesting, especially menus:
Spanglish: "El Luncho"
Chinglish: "We serve dead shrimp on vegetables with a smile Pork with fresh garbage Dreaded veal cutlet with potatoes in cream"
Franglaise: "Groan Appetit!"
Spanglish: "El Luncho"
Chinglish: "We serve dead shrimp on vegetables with a smile Pork with fresh garbage Dreaded veal cutlet with potatoes in cream"
Franglaise: "Groan Appetit!"
No Tourist Zone
Business Visa Only
There are noMad people in Saudi Arabia
You don't go to The Kingdom as a tourist. In fact, there's no such thing as a tourist visa. If you're not making a pilgrimage to Mecca, and not Muslim, the only way to get into the country is with a work permit, or in my case, a Business Visa.
Mixing between unrelated males and females is forbidden. Most social functions are single sex only and there is barely even eye contact made between men and women. Same Same Only different, right?
It's good to get out and do something else besides work, sleep eat, and complain about "Segregation Forever"(sexual apartheid)--- Men's-only Starbucks (The Naked mermaid logo, however is no longer banned!), Men's-Only Mall hours (single men are only allowed into shopping centers at lunch time on weekdays) is gone and Dammam Mall is huge.
Street Life
Photo Ops & Long Street Names
The streets have long names
Photo Op
Yesterday a bunch of guys and I went out to a British Aerospace Compound Party, The barbed wired-walled residential community, built for company employees. Afterwards we went to a fast food joint, and this kid let me try on his gutra, or Saudi-style scarf. I love those colors. Red and white checks--- So cool.
The Road Less Traveled---The Psycho Path. Here are these Dudes Perfect, Ambassadors of Fun
Philosophy
No Complaints, No Regrets
No Complaints, no regrets, I still believe in chasing dreams and placing bets...
Living in the Kingdom teaches you that perspective is everything. When you're surrounded by endless possibilities within the constraints of a unique culture, you learn what really matters.
Cave Adventures
Jebel al-Qarah Underground Wonders
Jebel al-Qarah at Hofuf, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, contains a wonderful assortment of caves.
Even in the land of endless sand, the earth reveals its hidden treasures below the surface.