Job Discussion Forums

[skyrocket]

Dear Redeyes,

Admittedly my opinion is jaded by my experiences. I apologies for any offence I have caused you. I like to think that initially I didn't just go for the go for the money. I was a keen young teacher who saw Saudi as an interesting "mystical" place and wanted to go see for myself. My first 8 years there were extreemly enjoyable, the last 2 were a nightmare. The scenery is amazing, the Red Sea is wonderful. On the whole the people are friendly and hospitable.You are correct to say that everyone reacts differently. This doesn't change the fact that it can be dangerous in Saudi. I would suggest that it is now much safer than 5 years ago for sure as the security forces have clamped down on Fundamentalits alot . However, anyone going should be aware that trouble can potentially errupt anywhere at anytime. I now suffer from PTSD having stayed too long and having witnessed the Oasis attack first hand. ( 5 years ago tomorrow) I do have strong opinions. Post 9/11 I think the atmosphere in the Kingdom did seem to change and people who I know who are still there tell me there is still "an edge" about the place....I haven't been able to teach since leaving in 2005 and my life has changed dramitically. Other incidents of note include the attack at Al Khobar towers, The shooting of Robert Dent in Riyadh. The killing of an oil worker in Yanbu, who was dragged thru the streets behind a Hilux and then paraded infront of a school full of young children. Also, numerous other incidents over the years.....As I said , Google "Saudi terror" and decide for yourself. It is certainly potentially dangerous and yesterdays incident will no doubt be considerd as "minor" by the security experts and those with a vested interest .......but yes, people who want to are obviously free to try it for themselves !

[Kipling]

Mr Bond wrote

[skyrocket]

Latest Uk Foreign and commonwealth Office advice reads:

There is a continuing high threat of terrorism in Saudi Arabia. We continue to believe that terrorists are planning further attacks, including against Westerners and places associated with Westerners in Saudi Arabia. We believe aviation interests and oil infrastructure remain possible terrorist targets.


You should take all necessary steps to protect your safety and should make sure you have confidence in your individual security arrangements. You should maintain a high level of vigilance, particularly in public places and exercise caution when travelling outside urban areas. You should avoid any large gatherings or demonstrations.


Standards of driving in the Kingdom are extremely poor with large numbers of fatal vehicle accidents occurring every year. You should be aware of this when travelling by road within the Kingdom and especially that there are large distances with little or know medical facilities between towns and cities.


Islamic law is strictly enforced in Saudi Arabia. See the Local Laws and Customs section of this advice for more details.


The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Saudi Arabia in 2007 were for: replacing lost and stolen passports; hospitalisations and deaths, mainly from natural causes; and arrests or detentions, for a variety of reasons. A significant proportion of requests for consular assistance were received from pilgrims performing Hajj or Umrah, in particular in relation to disputes and dissatisfaction with tour operators. See the Pilgrimage section of this advice for more details.


We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/middle-east-north-africa/saudi-arabia?ta=travelSummary&pg=1

[johnslat]

I have to wonder - does the Saudi government issue warnings for Saudi students/tourists visiting the USA? If not, they probably should.
You've got to love these Foreign Office/State Department warnings/advisories; I could be wrong but I strongly suspect they fall into the PYB category (i.e. Protect your Back - in the unlikely event somebody actually does get hurt, they can always point at the warning and say: "Hey, we WARNED you.")
As someone who has had many unpleasant experiences with the USA Foreign Service Branch at embassies and consulates (in Shiraz, the entire consulate staff cleared out and left in 1978, just prior to the Islamic Revolution, without notifying ANY of us who had registered there; in 1990 and early 1991, when Saddam's SCUDs were thought to have biological/chemical warheads, the US Embassy REFUSED to issue gas masks to USA citizens. Finally, after getting intense pressure from members of Congress, they reluctantly distributed some, the very last embassy in the Kingdom to do so) I find their concern touching but hardly reliable.

[skyrocket]

I agree. They certainly do have their own agendas. I suppose the bottom line is we live in what can sometimes seem to be a sad and troubled world. Just about everyone seems to follow the moto PYB ,or is it CYA ??(cover your A**E) I certainly wouldn't want to stop anyone from going to "The Magic Kingdom" It does have alot to recommend it. I'm just not in a position to be able to go back there myself....unfortunately....

[johnslat]

Dear skyrocket,

"I'm just not in a position to be able to go back there myself....unfortunately...."

Me neither, for two reasons: 1. I'm a geezer (66 years old); 2. After I left in 2003, I got married in 2004, and, if I ever even talked about going back, my wife would burn my passport.
Regards,
John

[sheikh radlinrol]

[johnslat]

Dear Sheikh,
One might think so - but I mostly enjoyed my time in the Kingdom and the past four and a half years have been the happiest of my life.
So, maybe I'm not such a masochist after all.



Regards,
John
P.S. By the way, it's Marriage Number Three - it took me that many tries to get it right.

[sheikh radlinrol]

[isabel]

That and the (unreported) blast seen at the docks in Khobar may make some a bit nervous.

I understand there are lots of phone videos of the explosion(s) (some report 2 explosions) but a google turns up nothing.

If you are concerned- I hear that this is a good time of the year to get a job in Seoul. :?

[johnslat]

Dear Sheikh,
Hey, it was what I couldn't take, not them - the first was too crazy (literally, she was on Thorazine); the second was too sane (she loved square dancing and the Texas Two Step, and the only book she'd ever read in her life was "THe Man in Black" a biography of Johnny Cash.)
A better question would be: Why did I marry them in the first place?
Regards,
John

[Kipling]

[veiledsentiments]

[Green Acres]

Saskatoon? What makes that a dangerous place? How does it even compare with the rest? I don't get it? Must be a lot of Man U fans there...

[007]