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redeyes
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Posts: 254
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 Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:52 am Post subject: KFUPM and materials/Driving in KSA |
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I hear at KFUPM they have a tailor made coursebook -- are management happy if staff supplement from other ( obviously culturally sensitive) texts/listenings/computer online practices/reading texts/games and activities etc? Are they quite flexible about that as long as language/exam targets are met?
Are there pre set exams designed by the school, or do teachers prepare them themselves , suitable to the level for their class?
On another point,how is it catching taxis in the immediate area/local towns/cities? I will be catching taxis until I sort out a car, and was wondering about the availability of cabs.If I take the family shopping, will I then have to wait around in the heat and the dust for ages until a taxi shows,or are they readily available/quick and easy to ring and arrange?
Once I do buy a car, how is driving in the local area? Is it crazy and unadvisable, or pretty much ok?
Do expat families in the area go on drives on the weekend to get out of town for a change of scene -- or is it case of there not being much to see beyond the local shopping centres?
I am not a naive twit, expecting great sightseeing, loads and loads of things to do etc. Not at all. When I ask if there is anything worth driving to, my hopes are humble. EG perhaps driving a little way away from the local area to get a simple change of scene,perhaps to take my toddler daughter swimming, visit different restaurants etc.
Thanks for the tips all. |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:20 am Post subject: Re: KFUPM and materials/Driving in KSA |
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| redeyes wrote: |
| On another point,how is it catching taxis in the immediate area/local towns/cities? I will be catching taxis until I sort out a car, and was wondering about the availability of cabs.If I take the family shopping, will I then have to wait around in the heat and the dust for ages until a taxi shows,or are they readily available/quick and easy to ring and arrange? |
The best option for you is to hire a car (assuming you hold a Saudi driving license). It will be cheaper and more convenient for you and your family. Alternatively, make a deal with a taxi driver for specific period, and agree with him about the price (take his mobile number and his taxi registration number).
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| Once I do buy a car, how is driving in the local area? Is it crazy and unadvisable, or pretty much ok? |
Well, with the Saudi drivers you need to apply the 'rules of engagement'  and do not try to follow the correct traffic laws, use your 'anti-hazard' rules in 3D and expect the un-expected while driving in the Magic Kingdom. Another advice, buy a car with low risk accident! (German ones! ).
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| Do expat families in the area go on drives on the weekend to get out of town for a change of scene -- or is it case of there not being much to see beyond the local shopping centres? |
If you like adventures, there are plenty of places/scenes/historical areas to visit.
Last edited by 007 on Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:12 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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redeyes
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Posts: 254
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| Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:50 am Post subject: |
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007, thanks -- I appreciate your input and advice.
RE |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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Use the 'delete' button (X button) in the Edit menu to delete your last two posts!
Well, it seems you cannot delete your post if it is before the last post!
MOD, any technical solution for this? |
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redeyes
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Posts: 254
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| Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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There is no delete button 007 -- the delete option only appears if your post is the last one in a thread, and not otherwise. For example in the current case, I posted three dbl posts : I was able to delete the third one, but not the preceding two.
MOD -- Help? |
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Mia Xanthi
Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 955
Location: why is my heart still in the Middle East while the rest of me isn't?
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| Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| On another point,how is it catching taxis in the immediate area/local towns/cities? I will be catching taxis until I sort out a car, and was wondering about the availability of cabs.If I take the family shopping, will I then have to wait around in the heat and the dust for ages until a taxi shows,or are they readily available/quick and easy to ring and arrange? |
The first thing you do is ask a colleague or a neighbor for the mobile number of their favorite driver. To leave from home, you will have to be able to call a taxi to come get you. Everyone has a favorite driver, and numbers will be pretty easy to come by. I'll send you my favorite driver's number even before you get here 
Once you are at the mall, hospital, or supermarket, it is usually quite easy to find a taxi back home. That being said, even a short wait can seem like forever in the middle of the summer. It can be hard to find a driver at the evening prayer time, especially during Ramadan. However, if you have your trusted favorite driver's number, you can just call him and he will come to get you.
Your wife should never ride alone with an unknown driver, especially not a Saudi driver. That's just the way it is. If she calls Samara or Majestic taxi services, she should be ok alone with those drivers.
A taxi ride in Al Khobar is usually either 20 riyals or 25 riyals. It will cost you 20 riyals just to go across the street. If the driver stops and waits for you, it will cost you a second fare. However, with your favorite driver, you can work out better terms. Some of the taxi drivers around here are the nicest guys in the world, and they will help you out with everything you can imagine. |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124
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| Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I hear at KFUPM they have a tailor made coursebook -- are management happy if staff supplement from other ( obviously culturally sensitive) texts/listenings/computer online practices/reading texts/games and activities etc? Are they quite flexible about that as long as language/exam targets are met? |
The course books are provided by The Royal Melbourne Insitute of Technology. You're going to have to supplement them unless you want to spend a large amount of time gazing out the window.
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| Are there pre set exams designed by the school, or do teachers prepare them themselves , suitable to the level for their class? |
The exams all come from Australia. Hopefully, next year we will be able to gain control of them again. But then hope springs eternal.
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| On another point,how is it catching taxis in the immediate area/local towns/cities? I will be catching taxis until I sort out a car, and was wondering about the availability of cabs.If I take the family shopping, will I then have to wait around in the heat and the dust for ages until a taxi shows,or are they readily available/quick and easy to ring and arrange? |
KFUPM has its own limousine service. Just phone and a lmousine turns up. For coming back it depends on the Mall you go to. From Khobar town or Rashid Mall there is not a problem. At Dhahran Mall, Ikea, or Toys R' US you can easily find yourself stranded.
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| Once I do buy a car, how is driving in the local area? Is it crazy and unadvisable, or pretty much ok? |
Compared to where? You can tell which side of the road you are supposed to drive on, which is more than you can say of India. More than that I won't venture to say.
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Do expat families in the area go on drives on the weekend to get out of town for a change of scene -- or is it case of there not being much to see beyond the local shopping centres?
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The 'change of scene' you are referring to is presumably a different color of sand.
Actually Khobar is a tourist city and is full of Saudi tourists in summer. The beaches are fantastic (and the university has its own) and the restaurants are excellent. |
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redeyes
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Posts: 254
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| Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:50 am Post subject: |
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Thanks all for your tips and advice.
RE |
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Mia Xanthi
Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 955
Location: why is my heart still in the Middle East while the rest of me isn't?
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| Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:11 pm Post subject: |
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| The beaches are fantastic |
Really? I must go and see this KFUPM beach, because I've seen nothing but trash-strewn wastelands posing as beaches here. The ones I've seen are just too disgusting to even drive on, let alone walk on. |
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Griff-James
Joined: 08 Oct 2006
Posts: 171
Location: A place full of 18 year olds and endless ale. Not not this time.
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| Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:49 pm Post subject: |
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"A taxi ride in Al Khobar is usually either 20 riyals or 25 riyals. It will cost you 20 riyals just to go across the street."
 I always tell them I'll only pay 10 Riyals. Take it or leave it. |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Mia Xanthi wrote: |
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| The beaches are fantastic |
Really? I must go and see this KFUPM beach, because I've seen nothing but trash-strewn wastelands posing as beaches here. The ones I've seen are just too disgusting to even drive on, let alone walk on. |
Well, Teta Mia, what you have seen is not real beaches, they are kind of dump areas for 3rd class citizens of the Magic Kingdom, Camels rubbish, and refuge areas for Saddiqs!
The real (private beaches) are located in big hotels and are not open to general public or 3rd class citizens of the Magic Kingdom. If you want really to relax and have nice dreams, just go and try one of these private beaches (such as the InterContinental Al Jubail, Dammam), you will see the unseeable, and hear the unhearable! And you will see some faces which you never wish to meet! |
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