Job Discussion Forums

[megone]

Thanks Mia for the tips about the rural areas of Oman. I'm from a rural area, but you're right, a rural experience in a foreign country may not the best choice just starting out. You and others have given me several suggestions of other places to look at, and that's been very helpful. I'm still holding out for those schools that still have last-minute posts to fill.
Thanks again.

[globalnomad2]

Yes, megone, and many jump all over me for saying this, but having spent 13 years in the Gulf, I personally consider Dubai to be the least of all evils. Bangkok-style traffic aside, it can actually be fun, and certainly feels cosmopolitan and exciting compared to the likes of Ras al Khaimah. And the KSA doesn't even deserve mention in the league of normal nations, but of course that is politically incorrect and I may be subjected to a Maoist self-confessional after this post is deleted.

A qualification, however: I haven't been to Muscat but it looks nice in photos, and apparently the rulers there have decreed it will not be turned into a vast amusement park vying with Dubai for silliness and skyscrapers.

[megone]

Thanks globalnomad2. I've heard good things about Muscat too. Dubai seems interesting as well, though I wonder if I'll get that 'authentic cultural feel' there. I'm certainly not limiting myself though, and I'm keeping all of my options open. Thanks for the response!

[Cleopatra]

[megone]

Thanks Cleopatra. Oman does seem to be less 'artificial' than some of the other countries. I looked into one job in Yemen earlier this year, but the pay was very poor.

[scot47]

So some countries are "artificial" and some are "natural" ? An interesting dichotomy !

[Cleopatra]

Yeah, I've often wondered about the appropriateness of the oft-used term 'artificial' with reference to the Gulf countries. And yet, there I go using it myself. I suppose you could say that it's not really the right word - 'artificial' implies that someone/something is pretending to be what they are not, and while there are examples of this in the Gulf (faux religiosity in KSA, for example, or faux sophistication in Dubai) this isn't really what I'm getting at. Nonetheless, the word 'artificial' keeps coming up with reference to life in the Gulf - perhaps it's referring to the fake camaraderie of expat social life, or the shell of modernity in what are still deeply traditional societies?

I don't know. Perhaps 'soulless' is a better word? It all remind me of a conversation I had with a fellow 'expat' shortly after my arrival in Riyadh. "People say life here is not the reality," she said, "but of course it is our reality." And that is true.

[johnslat]

I'm reminded of a colleague in Riyadh who once said, "Here I feel like life is passing me by."

I didn't tell him (but wanted to) that I was pretty sure he'd feel that way no matter where he might be.

I never felt "passed by", but then, I guess it all depends on one's definition of "life."

[scot47]

Remember what the judge said when he gave the guy 99 years :" Son, everyone has gotta be somewhere."

[globalnomad2]

If Judge Roy Bean were alive today, hangin's would be too good for vermin. He'd banish them to Saudi.

[scot47]

And to which part of Terra has the Cosmic Judge exiled you ? East Cheam ?
Saraybosna ? Upper Volta ?

[globalnomad2]

No, far better than that selection, but yes, to another galaxy far, far away from the ME, with a package one rarely finds in this pathetic field anywhere. No doubt all good things come to an end and I may some day find myself back within earshot of the five daily calls. (Was that Cat Stevens screeching away at 4 in the morning?)

Morning Has Broken....