Job Discussion Forums

[Bebsi]

....or maybe just a really krappy driver!!!!

[scot47]

Serenity in KSA for me is not going out on the roads !

[Bebsi]

Each to his own.

Me? I love driving, and I am sure there are quite a few others who do as well. Mind you, stuck for hours at lights in Bucharest (or anywhere) tends to diminish the pleasure somewhat.

Apart from the enjoyment-of-driving factor, in KSA, to get to malls, shops, restaurants, desert for picnics, compounds, colleagues' houses, the beach and whatever else your Jones is, usually requires a car. Not to mention that other activity one must engage in from time to time: getting to work!! Not everyone is lucky enough to live very close to their workplace.

Basically, for some owning and driving a car is heaven, for others it is hell. Sometimes, it can be both.

Driving in Saudi, at least no-one can say there is ever a dull moment!! Even sitting at lights you see some amazing things.

[ummkhadija]

Hello:

So, I know this an old post, but its great in describing the challenges of driving in KSA. I have one question, however, should I bring my child carseats with me or are they available in the Taif or the surrounding areas? I will be receiving an allowance for transportation, and I am not quite sure which way to use it yet, but for starters I'd just like to know about the carseats.

Thanks,

UmmKhadija

[scot47]

Carseats ? The normal practice is for younger children to sit on the driver's lap - often with hands on the steering wheel.

I have never seen children's carseats here but they MAY be available. What is your luggage allowance oh Mother of Khadija ? If it is 20 kg per person you might want to think carefully about what you are bringing. Excess Baggage is EXPENSIVE.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Car seats can be had in Jeddah. Forget Taif for anything except the bare necessities...

NCTBA

[ummkhadija]

Thanks, Scot47 & NCTBA

I am not sure about my baggage allowance, but I do know that in most airlines you can travel with your car seat, at least for the children 12 months and younger. So, I will look into taking all three or just one and buying the other two in Jeddah.

UmmKhadija

[trapezius]

Child car seats are widely available in Jeddah. Price ranges from SR. 300 to SR. 1,000 for the infant seats, and SR. 400 to SR. 2,000 for the upright ones for children 12+ months old.

I am almost sure they are available in Taif as well. As long as there is a Centerpoint branch there (highly likely), you will be fine.

[veiledsentiments]

Be ready to be shocked and appalled at the number of parents (both drivers and passengers) who put their children in their laps - thus turning them into airbags in case of accidents.

At the same time their older kids are standing up through the moonroof as they barrel down the highway...

VS

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

We darkly referred to the lap-bound kids as "bullets" as that's what they would imitate when dear ol' baba came to a sudden, braking halt.

Dark humour, indeed!

But, when EVERYTHING is in the Almighty's hands...who are we to second guess...

NCTBA

[ummkhadija]

NCTBA & Scot47

You have quite the sarcasm when it comes to the religion of KSA. Its unfortunate, but its a given when you are surrounded by individuals who believe that they "know" the religion, however all they really know is their culture, mixed with some Islamic values. Obviously, I am no scholar, but even a licensed MD can be wrong sometimes, so the same plays for others in a role of leadership.

I hope that you two someday can meet someone who can at least put into prospective that yes we leave things for the Almighty to complete (i.e., death), but we are the ones who choose what choices we want to make before that happens. Life is full of tests, it's up to you how you want to follow through with them.

You guys give great advice when it comes to KSA, and I look forward to your help in other threads

UmmKhadija

[scot47]

Mother of Khadija

I will welcome your comments after you have visited and lived in KSA. I suspect that you may undergo some doubts after seeing what KSA is actually like.

I first came here in 1970 and have worked here for 16 years since then. I think I have had a bit more experience than you have had. I do not presume to tell you what to believe. Please have the courtesy to extend that freedom to others, and accept that most Muslims in Saudi Arabia do not have the world-view and theology that you have.

[ummkhadija]

Scot47

My apologies, I had no intention of offending you and your opinions of KSA. But, I am glad that you were able to understand that not all Saudi Muslims may not have a vast knowledge of Islam (as I may not either), but I do know from my own personal experience as a Muslim that many of us use our culture as the lead in our life decisions, and those decisions have no Islamic basis.

The amount of years you have in KSA gives you a huge amount of information with regards to the Saudi citizens, and I guess I just got hung up on you intertwining Islam at the same time. I have taken your advice and that of other veterans on this board very seriously, because its a life change; so I will do better in understanding your opinions are based on your opinions of Saudis and Saudi life, nothing more-nothing less

UmmKhadija

[desert date]

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Yes. I had a response similar to scot's...get here...live here...observe the saudi way of practicing Islam (and by that I mean poor Filipino Muslims being beaten by the mutawwa with sticks because they didn't heed the call to prayer quickly enough) and then, lecture us.

I did 10 straight...scot has done 16 off and on. He still lives there and I live in an adjoining nation. Would one actually believe that we would live in a land where we hated our existence? He, I and other reporters are reporting the facts that we have observed.

That being said, the Gulf Arab is the most hospitable humans I've ever met. It's all a mixed bag...

NCTBA