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Planning to work in Saudi advice
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plumpy nut



Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652

PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2015 2:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

What is their to see in the backstreet neighborhoods other than lots of mosques, fast food stores and little markets. Just how easy do you think it is to walk around in Saudi Arabia? It's not pleasant at all.
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cnthaiksarok



Joined: 29 Jun 2012
Posts: 288
Location: between a rock and a sandy place

PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2015 4:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

plumpy nut wrote:
Just how easy do you think it is to walk around in Saudi Arabia?


Trick question? I'm gonna' go with "very easy."

Now, if you add chewing gum and rubbing your belly in a circular direction whilst patting the top of your head, you might be in for a real challenge.


plumpy nut wrote:
their


there
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cnthaiksarok



Joined: 29 Jun 2012
Posts: 288
Location: between a rock and a sandy place

PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2015 4:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

plumpy nut wrote:
What is their to see in the backstreet neighborhoods


Wish I could post pics easily on this forum. I'd blow your artistic, creative mind. Laughing
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akoo



Joined: 01 Apr 2015
Posts: 5

PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2015 10:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The backstreets are the perfect place to start exploring the smaller cities.

You can start by saying hello or Asalam aleykom to anyone you see.

The little markets, fast food shops have people working in them. Talk to them.

Explore every shop you see. Even, if just to say hello, smile and leave.

Now, this may seem unorthodox but good - it's exactly what bitter teachers need in KSA. A dose of change. A breath of fresh air.

The desert air away from the main road is equally refreshing when unobstructed and the summer breeze cools down the head and body in stride. A lack of humidity and the sweat just evaporates off the skin like a natural feeling.

Really, it's all about the state of mind of the teacher. If they convince themselves there's nothing to do, or that it's boring - it will be. And so will they - the teachers themselves are boring.

A fun, creative person doesn't need vices or distractions to keep entertained. They create their own fun and stay active in multiple. diversified ways anywhere (and with nearly anyone).

This is simply a realistic goal for any who desire it.
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Makkah



Joined: 08 Oct 2014
Posts: 113

PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2015 10:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

akoo wrote:

If they convince themselves there's nothing to do, or that it's boring - it will be. And so will they - the teachers themselves are boring.


Some teachers even convince themselves that they're part of management after a year or so. Even update resumes reflecting the newly gained 'experience' with nice pseudo titles of nonsense. Could be a hobby I guess.
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veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA

PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2015 2:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So... does this mean that we should assume that akoo is NOT a teacher since he gives us no evidence thereof.

Probably a student...

And obviously his suggestions are completely impossible for the female teacher

VS
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cnthaiksarok



Joined: 29 Jun 2012
Posts: 288
Location: between a rock and a sandy place

PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2015 2:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You might be surprised at how many Saudis (and others) are willing to pose for pictures or otherwise allow shots of them while they're doing something. Just takes a polite question.

I've got loads of shots...even a number of families with their gals...
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sicklyman



Joined: 02 Feb 2013
Posts: 930

PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2015 4:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

akoo wrote:
The backstreets are the perfect place to start exploring the smaller cities.

You can start by saying hello or Asalam aleykom to anyone you see.

The little markets, fast food shops have people working in them. Talk to them.

Explore every shop you see. Even, if just to say hello, smile and leave.

Now, this may seem unorthodox but good - it's exactly what bitter teachers need in KSA. A dose of change. A breath of fresh air.

Did a lot of this in my first year. Fresh air I did not get.

Met lots of Pakistanis and Indians though and resurrected a lot of the Hindi I learned over 20 years ago. Very very useful for that. For getting to know Saudi? Nope. Reminded me a lot of downtown Karachi though. In fact, my Saudi students told me it was 'dangerous' to walk around the neighbourhoods I'd chosen Laughing
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scot47



Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343

PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2015 4:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Saudis certainly do not walk around. Loads of "Hindis" though - even when most of them are from Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is interesting that the expression is still used for individuals from all over the sub-continent. It is as if Partition never happened !
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BajaLaJaula



Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 267

PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2015 6:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Walking around in Saudi, if you are a white westerner makes you a target. I would not recommend it. Notwithstanding the palpable hatred of the west that many Saudis exhibit, being a pedestrian on Saudi streets is dangerous due to the highly skilled drivers on the road.

I lived in there for many years and never felt comfortable when I had to walk more than a few blocks (and I can blend in better than most folks of the Anglo-Saxon persuasion). You can still take in all the "awesome" culture from your vehicle if you feel the need to explore the trash littered back streets.

Better yet, drive to an old style souk and then you can walk around and marvel at all the cheap Chinese products that are for sale there.
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