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sammysez
Joined: 20 Nov 2016
Posts: 119
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 Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2017 12:32 pm Post subject: What to Bring |
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What to bring to Saudi Arabia and others can certainly add to this list.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES: most you can buy in Saudi, markers, erasers, etc.. you can buy speakers or bring your own. Most teachers are expect to provide their own school supplies.
NATURAL PRODUCTS, especially if you're in the smaller cities, natural deodorants etc.. They have a lot of oils and fragances here, but if you're used to your own familiar brand or lotions/moisturizers, I would bring it.
HATS, SUN HATS or safari type hats, rain hats or umbrellas(rain is rare but it does happen). Sun Hats especially the lighter weight variety with a wide brim. If you think parts of the U.S. or Europe are hot, it's nothing compared to Saudi.
SUN PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, long sleeved shirts etc.... Plenty of sunglasses here, obviously.
SHOES: yes, they have a lot of the same brands, but the quality isn't the same, even though you will probably pay approximately the same price in dollars. Good pairS of shoes.
CLOTHING: Again, for the price, I haven't found the same quality of clothing. Hangers, if you like the nice kind.
Prescriptions: Bring and also you can get prescriptions in Saudi WITH an Iquama. The medication will be a different version of your medication, at least mine was.
JACKET/COAT. It can get cold in certain parts of Saudi, which you never hear about. Strong wind.
GLASSES: especially the cheap varieties at the $1 Store, I can't find here. So bring several pairs.
BLENDERS: especially if you can't live without one and/or you think you can pack it without it being broken. One thing, try out every appliance etc.. before leaving the store to make sure it works. Haggle for prices here also.
BRING THINGS TO DO.
Think about SHORTS ABOVE THE KNEE, you will not be allowed entry into many public buildings, especially in the smaller towns. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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cnthaiksarok
Joined: 29 Jun 2012
Posts: 288
Location: between a rock and a sandy place
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| Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2017 2:26 pm Post subject: Re: What to Bring |
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No offense intended sammy - just another perspective and a few more tid bits.
| sammysez wrote: |
| Most teachers are expect to provide their own school supplies. |
Really? Is this mainly for university gigs, or what? I haven't come across this in the military or language schools.
| sammysez wrote: |
| HATS, SUN HATS or safari type hats |
Found and bought quality safari and sun hats (and tested them out in Kenya) in the Jeddah malls. Just saw an authentic CAT store there recently, btw. Quality / expensive stuffins 
| sammysez wrote: |
| (rain is rare but it does happen) |
Rare in Riyadh, Khobar and Jeddah.
Frequent for several months in Abha, Taif, Jizan and Tabuk...
| sammysez wrote: |
you can get prescriptions in Saudi WITH an Iquama.
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Still many pharmas around that will give you what you need sans script or other papers.
| sammysez wrote: |
| the cheap varieties at the $1 Store, I can't find here. |
Yeah? Have you checked the local stationery stores/shops? I've seen reading glasses in a number of shops (in the sticks).
| sammysez wrote: |
| BLENDERS: especially if you can't live without one and/or you think you can pack it without it being broken. One thing, try out every appliance etc.. before leaving the store to make sure it works. Haggle for prices here also. |
Blenders and juicers are available at every grocery store I frequent, which is around six or seven. Even the el' cheapo' "Al Raya" groceries carry them.
Obviously do not attempt to haggle in the above. Save your bartering for the souqs / markets.
If you get placed on an old American compound, your main power supply (majority of outlets) will probably be 110V, while most appliances for sale in the area will be 220V, so unless you get a convertor - your locally bought appliances will only perform at 1/2 their steam.
If you're placed in a European-style compound, you'll probably have equal amounts of each outlet...be careful if they're not labeled.
If you're off compound, your apartment will probably be mainly 2 prong / 220 V.
Don't wear shorts outside the private beaches and swimming pools / sports facilities, etc. (full stop).
It only attracts extra attention. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2017 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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It is all available in KSA. Even books that you can read - and daily newspapers in English !
Travel light. Watch where the locals shop. |
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cnthaiksarok
Joined: 29 Jun 2012
Posts: 288
Location: between a rock and a sandy place
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| Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2017 3:35 pm Post subject: |
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I even saw brewers yeast in the grocery, recently! (Import section, Danube) That was....kind of odd.
Used to be considered contraband and packed deep under a months worth of groceries for the causeway.
Jarir bookstore does have a pretty decent selection of readers, granted.
I had to get the clerk to order some Tom Robbins for me, which was no problem.
More and more people ordering from Amazon these days with few to minor issues re: delivery. |
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2buckets
Joined: 14 Dec 2010
Posts: 515
Location: Middle East
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 3:23 am Post subject: |
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| Buckets are widely available in-kingdom at reasonable prices. You will need 2, as the old anecdote goes ! |
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RustyShackleford
Joined: 13 May 2013
Posts: 449
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| Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 4:19 am Post subject: |
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| scot47 wrote: |
| It is all available in KSA. Even books that you can read - |
To a point.
I remember being surprised at seeing some decent English-language manga for sale and meant to come back after payday to pick some up.
The gentleman at Al-Jarir was in the middle of packing them, telling me that some father had looked through the pages of the books his daughter had bought and was upset that they had allowed it to be sold. So they were shipping them off to some office or another, effectively banning them. |
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sammysez
Joined: 20 Nov 2016
Posts: 119
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| Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 7:38 am Post subject: ....especially in the smaller towns. |
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Everybody doesn't live in Riyadh or Jeddah.
And this is what I have found to be true and/or needed in the smaller towns. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 9:24 am Post subject: |
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Sammy
Jump on a SAPTCO bus and spend a weekend in Jeddah ! Live a little ! |
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Sheik Yerbuti
Joined: 02 Dec 2012
Posts: 105
Location: the promised land
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| Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2017 3:22 am Post subject: |
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| Reading material... I have a Kindle and still that is not enough. |
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siologen
Joined: 25 Oct 2016
Posts: 336
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| Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2017 11:39 am Post subject: WH re: books |
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| Surely (if coming from the UK!) a quick pop in to WHsmiths at the airport terminal, and a splurge on the 3 for 2 offers, should see you having a decent reading selection....provided they are not risque of course!!! |
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DessertMonkey
Joined: 08 Nov 2016
Posts: 15
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| Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2017 11:51 am Post subject: |
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| The most important thing to have in place before entering Saudi is a VPN on your computer's , smart phones, tablets etc |
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siologen
Joined: 25 Oct 2016
Posts: 336
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| Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2017 1:28 pm Post subject: re: legality of a vpn? |
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| Quote: |
| The most important thing to have in place before entering Saudi is a VPN on your computer's , smart phones, tablets etc |
I used astrill in the past. What is the current legality of having one installed and using it on lappy/tablet in the kingdom?
Cheers on,
s |
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bigdurian
Joined: 05 Feb 2014
Posts: 401
Location: Flashing my lights right behind you!
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| Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2017 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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| DessertMonkey wrote: |
| The most important thing to have in place before entering Saudi is a VPN on your computer's , smart phones, tablets etc |
Is the dessert monkey spanking the monkey?
On a serious note. I don't find a VPN that essential. There's a few times you come across something blocked that you want to look at, but it wouldn't bother me too much, if I couldn't visit that site.
Plus, you can download one here anyway.
I've been pleasantly surprised recently with the type of reading material available at Jahrir.
Somebody earlier mentioned clothing. One of the best things about KSA IMO is the clothes shopping. Good quality available in the malls, and they do discount heavily.
Pack only patience, a GSOH. .......that should get you through most things in the land that time forgot. |
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