Job Discussion Forums

brasscat · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:10 pm Post subject: Of Phones and Swimming Holes

Mike,
Yes, the Yahoo system is very similar to Skype. Skype will indeed work from the University computer system. The Yahoo set-up will work from any place where wireless is available. This includes your compound place.

I routinely called the USA from Hail, KSA in the evenings. Usually a 30 minute call cost me $0.30. My family called my PC phone on the weekends, no charge. I bought the phone number for a flat rate of $2.99/month.

Good reminder about the politically correct waters.

By the way, once you are in Saudi, forget about wearing shorts in public. Exposed legs are considered pornographic. You can wear swimming trunks in the presence of males only at a swimming venue.

Identification safety. Make a copy of your passport cover page and put it in your wallet. If you are stopped for a reason, you will always be legal.

A good custom to remember in Saudi Arabia, when you are introduced to an official of any kind, remember hospitality commands the host offer you tea and dates. Do by all means accept. You will make very excellant points by offering a small gift to say thank-you.
brasscat

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

For gifts carry with you a supply of signed photographs of George W. Bush and copies of the New Testament in Arabic. You will be a sensation.

MIKEBUCHAN · Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 106 Location: Russia

thanks guys!

You know, brasscat, I had forgotten almost everything you have written me in this post --- thank you.

Scot47 -- pull your tongue out of your cheek - bad boy!

Happy trails!

Mike

trapezius · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:56 pm Post subject:

brasscat · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:06 pm Post subject: Personal Essentials

Mike,
Do by all means pack at least one roll of toilet paper. It can be bought in grocery stores, but it goes fast and is not provided in your appartment.

Be sure to have all of your prescription meds clearly labeled in their original bottles. This is a check item by Saudi Security.

Download the current academic schedule for PMU. It can be found on the official PMU web site.

If your apartment does not have a clothes dryer in it, ask an old hand to show you how to make a Mishar Dryer. It works as good as any Maytag.

Currency basics

$1 US 3.75 SAR
10 37.5
100 375
1000 3750

Saudi coins are not common, most of the time stores will give you chewing gum. 100 Halals = 1 Riyal.
brasscat

trapezius · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:12 pm Post subject:

brasscat · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:23 pm Post subject: Mishar Dryer

The greatest clothes dryer to be invented in the Sands of Saud. It is even approved as an eco-wonder.

Every apartment has an air conditioner, some more. The goal of drying your clothes is: remove the water.

Go to the closet and get your handy dandy al-cheap-o clothes rack. Reset all airconditioner vents to the down position. Place the clothes rack under the main air flow. Turn air conditioner fan on full. Hang your clothes on the rack. If you hang your slacks and shirts on hangers, they will dry wrinkle free. No ironing! Walk away.

Voila, 15 minutes later dry clothes. Sheets take 20 min.
brasscat

MIKEBUCHAN · Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 106 Location: Russia

Yes, by all means!
Good advise!
And I am copying and saving all that I need to remember.

Thank you!

Mike

brasscat · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:18 am Post subject: House Keeping Kept Simple

There is one thing Saudi Arabia will never run short of: sand.

Keeping the sand out is not that hard. Buy at least 3 cheap desert rugs.
Place one at the door, make sure you fold it so that it covers the bottom of the door. Sand blows in under doors. Use the other two to break-up the fllor space, i.e. hallway and kitchen. This prevents the sand from getting into all of the rooms.

Bug control, made easy. Go to any store selling common eye care chemicals. Get a cheap jar of Boric Acid(used to make eye wash) mix the white powder with sugar 50-50. Sprinkle around outsde your door and windows. It kills all bugs, but not people.

Beds made comfortable. By a cheap sleeping bag. Unzip it. Place on your bed mattress, then put the bottom sheet on. Super soft bed.

Yummy snack for you and the kids. Buy some fresh flat bread, cream cheese, and strawberry jam. When you get hungry spread the cream cheese and jam in a thin layer on the flatbread. Roll it up. Eat happy.

Never throw out water bottles over 10 liters, you can get them refilled, much cheaper than buying new bottles.

Always bring with you an anti-diarrea med. The change in diet and spices sometimes causes a problem. You will be getting used to cooking mainly with corn oil, the cheapest and most common cooking oil.
brasscat

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Staying in the Mishar Compound clearly had a lasting effect on the poster known as Brasscat.

brasscat · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:51 pm Post subject: Of Mishar & Men

Mishar was a great survival training camp. Nothing like a refrigerator sitting beside your front door to stimulate the creative juices.

You, the Iqama, and money matters. When you arrive at PMU you will be on a Biz Visa. The Iqama will come from PMU in 3 months.

Officially you need an Iqama to do money transactions. Have no fear, where there are Misharistas, a way has been found. PMU will have a bank to cash your check. You can ask PMU to set-up an automatic debit to send to any bank with your name on it. If you get into a situation where you need to send money home fast, relax there is a way.

Money Express send. Find and old hand with an Iqama, both of you go to the nearby Western Union. Fill out form using Iqama data and your address. Go to window, give Riyals, and get receipt. Money is now sent.

DHL is the most reliable way to send gifts and documents. No Iqama needed. Saudi mail is a disaster.

Teaching materials for your classes. Go to the nearest Saudi Airlines Ticket Office. They have free magazines and loads of free goodies. Sign into About ESL online and get tons of teaching materials for free.
brasscat

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

So Brasscat used his time in Misharto come to grips with the local currency ! A great achievement !

brasscat · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:48 pm Post subject: Dress Suits For Cheap

One of the best kept secrets in the Kingdom is the fact you can get 3 piece dress suits very cheaply.

East Indian tailors are easy to find. The real savings is usually across the street at the fabric shop. Average male needs about 4 meters of raw material. Make your selection of cloth there and go to the tailor with it.
Fine handmade suits for less than $180, any style.

Saving money on food purchases is easy, once you have settled in, find out where the locals shop. Prices are much better and so are the selections.

Keep some of your original currency. It is a marvelous trade item, especially $2 bills. Most Arabs like odd curiosities, the $2 bill will get you 50 Riyals. Nice when you are running low on funds.
brasscat

007 · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:12 pm Post subject:

The majority of Indian/Pakistani tailors import the raw materials from China and India, and then they put an etiquette with "MADE IN ITALY" in the suit and trousers !!!
It is a big bussiness in the magic kingdom!

brasscat · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:23 pm Post subject: Coffee & You

In KSA, instant coffee is relatively cheap with known brand names you can feel easy about buying. Ground coffee exists, but is more expensive. Tea is plentiful and comes in all varieties.

Arab Coffee. The ultimate hospitality drink. This is a must accept item to please your host. It is made of fresh roasted (usually while you talk) green coffee beans, cloves, and cardimam( a strong spice). Served in small cups steaming hot. Usually three cups is the acceptable norm.

The Bedu are famous for their hospitality, do make friends and visit one.
brasscat