Job Discussion Forums

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

"be discreet" is good advice, but it seems that some people cannot follow it !

It is not a good idea to trumpet on a public site about what you get up to !

brasscat · Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 2:13 pm Post subject: A Matter Of Relaxing

The everyday life in the compound is nothing wild. The respect for the Arab culture and religion is still present, but at a more relaxed level.

After a day of stressing at the University a certain amount of chilling out is normal. It keeps the faculty happy to be informal.

Everybody follows the the rules strictly once outside of the compound.
brasscat

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Things to do ?

The prize for audacity must go to our colleague who took his bicycle to Riyadh by train and cycled around the streets of the capital. He survived but is now a wiser man.

rain406 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 12

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Other drivers represent the greater danger - not bearded mujahideen !

"Train into town " ? This is not New York or Hamburg. No suburban commuter trains ! There is a basic bus service but most people use cars or taxis to get around.

The intrepid cyclist I mentioned above took the train from Dammam to Riyadh.

biffinbridge · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 701 Location: Frank's Wild Years

I feel quite safe in Jubail...and I think the Saudis are basically quite gentle by nature. However, it would be wrong to deny that there are some very fanatical people about who don't want us here. Downtown some of the locals give you pretty hostile looks. Our workbus takes a different route every morning and there are checkpoints dotted about...they are there for a reason. A recent Saudi Gazette headline announced the arrest of over 200 suspected terrorists. The embassy still advises people to avoid the KSA.
Oh yeah...and Cleopatra...I'm a very happy person and a lot of fun to be with...I wouldn't read too much into a moan about a school....I just happen to think that the teaching is much better, in every sense, in Europe. I also think that you meet a lot of teachers in the Gulf who have simply lost the plot.

Cleopatra · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 1:18 pm Post subject:

brasscat · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 2:01 pm Post subject: Basics

Once you have your Iqama, many things tend to be less of a problem.

Now that I have a bank account and ATM card the idea of carrying about large amounts of cash is no longer an issue when going out.

The Consular clowns in Al-Khobar are useless. I learn more from the taxi drivers every day. So far the Pakistan crisis has not caused much of a reaction locally.

Besides, I am trekking to Petra, Jordan next month.

What me worry?
brasscat