Job Discussion Forums

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 11:48 am Post subject:

Fine, Stephen, no problem, a garage is indeed "part of the housing". Even so, as things stand:

"At least one" expat was killed "in his garage".

Many dozens (quite how many is not certain) of expats were killed in their compounds.

I repeat my previous point: a case can be made for saying that compounds are considerably less safe than "normal" houses. I see no reason to revise my opinion on this matter.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

It looks to me like it comes down to what the attackers are trying to do. Obviously if they want to go for numbers and have the facilities to build a car bomb, they will hit a compound.

For those that only have a gun, they pick a target and follow him. If he goes home, they will shoot him there - or in his car - or near his office.

VS

sbmoor262004 · Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 15

That's great, but originally I was wondering what life on compounds is like. I'm a pretty active person who definitely needs to work out daily. How big are the compounds in general? I'm expecting to be teaching at one of the colleges/universities. Are they that different? Question

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 2:34 pm Post subject:

Nomad Dan · Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Myanmar

Hi. It all depends on the compound. I lived on Eurovillage compound in Al Khobar, and it was plenty big for running. Of course, I went to visit friends on the Aramco camps at Dhahran and Ras Tanura, and you could run a marathon around the thing....It really all depends. Any compound will have some manner of weight room facility and pool. Plus enough of an area where one could make due...even in the smallest compound, you COULD run. I was a runner, and I ran on my compound and OFF the compound. (Not showing LOTS of skin though)...I always felt safe...funny thIng, that, but I did. Anyway, what a great way to go....doing something really good for yourself. I asked Saudi friends about it, and they said nobody will think exercise to be Haram...as long as it isn't in speedos. Maybe the whole Kingdom has changed, but I doubt it.
I just know that I live in the number one crime city in the US of A, and felt much safer "over there".
I think murdering joggers in mostly a North American notion anyway.
Cheers,
and for you Yanks,
GO MAVERICKS !!!!!!!!!
Daniel