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Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

Such is life in saudi that you will probably want to go to the supermarket just to get out and about.

The highlight for many teachers when i was working at KFMMC was the bus ride into Khobar and then the wander around the shops.

Sad but true.

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 10:40 am Post subject:

Griff-James · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 11:31 am Post subject:

"Such is life in saudi that you will probably want to go to the supermarket just to get out and about.

The highlight for many teachers when i was working at KFMMC was the bus ride into Khobar and then the wander around the shops. "

Very droll, Mark. Smile

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:45 pm Post subject: Relativity

Hmmm, if it is indeed droll, it is also (at least in my opinion) a fact. But then, I suppose there can be such an entity as a droll fact.
Supermarket day was most certainly the highlight of many weeks for me in Saudi. I used to go there, filled with the hope that perhaps there would be a new fruit or vegetable on display.
And then, there was the Jarir bookstore right next door. Paradise, indeed.
Living in Saudi can get one to more fully appreciate the pleasures that are often classified as "small", not to mention increasing one's patience level and capacity for deferred gratification.
It's all relative.
Regards,
John

Griff-James · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:28 pm Post subject:

Lordy!

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:19 pm Post subject:

Griff-James · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:37 pm Post subject:

I enjoy reading, writing and physical activity.

Griff-James · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:47 pm Post subject:

Wilfred Thesiger, Paul Theroux, Colin Thubron, PG Wodehouse, JG Ballard, Ambrose Bierce...

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 11:16 pm Post subject:

Dear Griff-Jones,
Then you should do well there. Reading and writing are essentially solitary occupations and even physical activity often is, too. Those three activities (and after 1996, the Net) were my mainstays during my time there.
Have you ever wanted to read all those LONG, Victorian novels: Thackery, Trollope, Austen, the Brontes, Dickens? Saudi is the place to do it.
Regards,
John
P.S. I like your taste in authors.

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

When i cleaned out my bookshelves before departing KSA i was rather amazed to find nearly 400 books.

This figure probably only represents half of all the books i read in Saudi.

At one stage i was reading 3 books a week but generally i would get through two a week.

If you like historical fiction i can highly recommend the Rome series by Colleen McCollugh...spelling might be wrong...great reads and also take you a while to read them.

BTW

The bus ride into Khobar and the shopping were indeed the highlight of the week for most people at KFMMC.

THere was always a lot of thought and planning before the bus trip into town.