Job Discussion Forums

MIKEBUCHAN · Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 106 Location: Russia

I have a firm offer to work at PMU, bring my Russian wife with me on the same flight (almost firm) and all the information regarding all the posts on all the threads -- mostly negative?

I do have a question -- are there any teachers still there and planning to be there in late August when I am to arrive? I am looking for a straight honest answer to my question!

I really don't want second guessers; I've never been there, but I know types; or any suppositions from the I knew someone there in '02 and....

Thanks for your understanding.

brasscat · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 2:14 pm Post subject: Yes

I'll be there along with 4 others in mid-August.
brasscat

007 · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 2:16 pm Post subject:

Mike, welcome to the magic kingdom.
If I have the choice between Russia of Putin and Saudi Arabia of Bandar, definitely I will go for the latter regardless if my wife is a Russian or a Scottish.

Good luck and do not worry, you are not the first and will not be the last!

MIKEBUCHAN · Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 106 Location: Russia

Brasscat,

OK! I've been in contact with a few others and we all will be there in August -- should be a good party with all the new people! A good old fashioned 'get to know you' gathering!

007,

This will be my third trip to the Kingdom of Eternal Darkness - two other times on the west coast in the mid 90's.

Thanks for the welcome - are you any where close to where we are going? I'll be looking forward to meeting a lot of you that post here!

After 5 years in Russia - Putin is very well liked here and he makes a lot of sense - I am American and have given up on our guy - Putin is quick on his feet, very personable, friendly, funny, speaks German/English/Russian and was a Colonel in the old defunct KGB

Only thing that differs Russia from Saudi Arabia -- 7 months of snow and cold vs 14 months of heat and humidity! Malinkaya shutka!

007 · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 3:27 pm Post subject: Re: russia vs saudi arabia

brasscat · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 3:32 pm Post subject: Second Trip

This will be my second trip to KSA. Spent a year at Hail, UOH.

Presently on the last few days of my vacation in the USA.

I will be coming in with the Misharistas as a group from UOH.

Life will be much more pleasant at PMU.

The mob, Stan, Gary, Glenn, and I welcome you. We are one fun bunch, especially on traveling to the major sights in Saudi. We are planning a weekend trek to Petra soon. We are major photo buffs and car racing buffs. Last year the Tourism Ministry invided us to be officals for the Hail Race Rally. We were interviewed on TV three times. May do it again.
brasscat

MIKEBUCHAN · Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 106 Location: Russia

You know, if we start comparing who did what, when, and to whom between Bush and Putin - The draft dodger would lose.

Maybe this discussion should be moved to a more appropriate forum?

And Putin was to first to stop the war in Chechen Republic -- Bush, on the other, hand started the disaster in Iraq!

007 --- this is so far away from what I was asking in the first place that I have no idea why I am answering you!

MIKEBUCHAN · Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 106 Location: Russia

Brasscat

I believe we will fit in together very nicely!!

It will be my pleasure to meet all of you!

Mike

brasscat · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 7:20 pm Post subject: PMU & U

Mike,
You will find the PMU campus near both the Persian Gulf and Half Moon Bay. Yes, it will be on the hot side, but the humidty and sea breezes will help a lot.

It will take you 3 days to process through Baharain. A PMU rep will be at the airport with a sign and take tyou to a hotel.

You can go online now and get a Baharain entry visa($17 US). The web site is simple and fast. Your visa can be printed out on the spot. It will save you time from waiting in the visa line at Manama Airport.

Day two will be your physical exam. Day 3 you will go to the Saudi Embassy and get your biz visa. The Iqama will be given to you at PMU.

Must have items:

1. 12 passport grade photos.
2. New finger print card with prints and a new police report saying you aren't a criminal.
3. A passport with no less that 3 blank pages.

You will be driven to PMU at the end of the visa session.

The Misharistas have a Saudi travel outfit, which can schedule group trips to places all over Saudi Arabia, including a camel caravan. We use it to visit major sights most people never see. The Meteor Crater is awesome.

You will find the Saudi food to be fresh and excellant. Best fast food is a shwarma (same as a chicken wrap, only better) and Arabian pizzas.

At PMU you can shop for groceries at the Panda Grocery Store. The fresh fruit juice is a major good buy.

Yes, you can buy English language news papers and magazines.

Do buy bottled water, due to the heavy metal content of most tap water.

Do get a cell phone with a Saudi chip in it as soon as you can. You can purchase minute cards in the grocery store.
brasscat

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

We must arrange a KFUPM PMU meet up cum luvfest. We're back 25 August. PM.

brasscat · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 11:14 pm Post subject: PMU & KFUPM

Steve,

Some of the Misharistas are now teaching summer school at KFUPM.

Three will be leaving KFUPM very soon for PMU positions.

Wup-em, wup-em, down and dirty at K-Fup-M!
brasscat

MIKEBUCHAN · Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 106 Location: Russia

Mr Jones and Brasscat -

It seems that we will have one grand opening party - I am looking forward to meeting all of you!!!!!

Brasscat -

Thank you for all the informative data - I need to know all of this -- especially about the Bahrain visa! That travel outfit sounds great! My Russian cell phone worked in Qatar - with their sim card - maybe only a sim card will be necessary?

I am curious -- no teacher that has been at PMU and is returning has anything to say. Is there no returning teachers?

see all of you soon!

Mike

brasscat · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 1:14 pm Post subject: Phone, Visa, and Make No Bones

Mike,
When in Saudi Arabia, you will be using the Saudi National Phone System.

You have to go into a cell phone store to get a chip placed in your cell phone, at that time you will be given a Saudi cell phone number. Combine this with your Sawa Card and you have a very cheap calling method. Otherwise you will get hit with roving charges.

The eVisa on the Bahrain Embassy site takes 5 minutes. I did mine last night. You will get an e-mail confirmation. Just turn on your printer and print out the visa. Put it with your passport.

If you want a cheap way to communicate with friends and family, go to the Yahoo.com home site and get a PC phone number to call in and out of. You can call out for $0.01/minute. Your call-in number costs $2.99/month. Use your computer for all long distance calls.

Unknown about ex-PMU people. I know when Al-Falak lost its contract, things changed very fast.
brasscat

MIKEBUCHAN · Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 106 Location: Russia

brasscat,

That Yahoo.com site you speak of - is it similiar to Skype? I have Skype and have used it almost everywhere I've been.

However, I can not call me at my lap top from my desk top PC! Malinkaya shutka!

see you soon!

Mike

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

brasscat

On this side of the Gulf it is the "Arabian Gulf" !