Job Discussion Forums

mattjd43 · Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 17 Location: Syracuse, N.Y., USA

I have an offer on the table. Does anyone have any info they could share about the program, living environment and/or expat community there? I've run a search but unfortunately I am not coming up with much.

Shukran!

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 1:11 am Post subject: Re: Al Hada Hospital, Taif

mattjd43 · Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 17 Location: Syracuse, N.Y., USA

NC --

Your posts are as insightful as they are witty. Thank you for the info.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 1:35 am Post subject:

Jeez...I hope that that was meant in the positive way! Well, we aims to please... Very Happy

NCTBA

mattjd43 · Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 17 Location: Syracuse, N.Y., USA

Ha. Yes, it was most definitely meant to be positive. There's more than enough sarcasm on this board already without me adding to it.

I PMed UmmKhadijah(sp?). Hopefully she'll be able to add to this exchange.

I like the offer I have, but there are a lot of unknowns about the curriculum and students that make me pause. Argh. Decisions, decisions.

ummkhadija · Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 12:37 pm Post subject:

Hello: Matt

You have been Pm'ed, and yes I am in Taif, and well I've only been here three weeks, so not too good on the Al-Hada area, but if I get some more info I will let you know.

For now, Taif has gorgeaous weather Cool

UmmKhadija

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 12:52 am Post subject:

Hala, ummkhadija! Have you had the opportunity to check out that really old mosque and the souk jes' around the corner? If you've been to the mosque an' yer into plants, you'll have seen that they've got a pretty good garden/plant souk there. Also, don't forget the Veggie/Fruit Souk behind the Mental Hospital...I KNOW that they had no pun intended when locating it...

NCTBA

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:16 am Post subject:

Hey, matt...jes'found this:

http://www.pshrc.med.sa/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=36

I hope that yer into roomies!

NCTBA (I RECOGNIZE THE BUILDING IT'S (WAS) ON THE EDGE OF TOWN...)

ummkhadija · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:51 am Post subject:

Hala, Hala! NCTBA

I have not had the chance to visit, the university had an excursion planned for just this, but the taxi driver took us to the wrong campus, and we missed the bus Crying or Very sad

..Thats one thing very true about some people in SA (backed up by other posts), they will tell you they know where you want to go, when they really do not!

We are in the process of getting a used car from a family that needs to upgrade to a bigger car, so as soon as that it set to go, we will be looking for everything you just pointed out..It seems SA (like any other country) has some nice places to visit, you just have to know where to look Smile

UmmKhadija

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 6:04 am Post subject:

Hey, UK!

Two things here:

1.) Change yer location, and

2.) Make sure that you visit al-Shifa. There you'll get the greatest honey AND, when the temps are right, you'll be...literally...driving thru th' clouds, it's so high up...

NCTBA

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

The escarpment is spectacular, and in many places you can see troops of baboons, many of whom happily approach humans who stop to look at them and feed them. Do be careful, as they will quite literally bite the hand that feeds them!

In the city of Taif, there is a small old town, and the souk is one of the best in KSA, if not the whole Gulf, if you like exploring old Arabian souks. The scent of incense and other spices on the cold evening air in winter is wonderful, as is the aroma of grilled meat.

Other places to visit include Okaz Souk (an ancient souk that was restored in the last few years), the pilgrim wells ('birqats') built by queen Zubaida a thousand years ago, the ancient dam at Saad Samallaghi, and the village of Misan about 100km south along the escarpment road. Not to mention the beautiful, clear night skies.

If you want bright lights and beaches, Jeddah is just two hours away.

trapezius · Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 11:42 pm Post subject:

I was born in Taif!

Not at the famed mental hospital, though, or so I have been told Laughing

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 1:48 am Post subject:

That sorta 'splains lots... Laughing

...

...

NCTBA