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WaegukinYeoJa



Joined: 17 Oct 2008
Posts: 26

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:51 am    Post subject: I've searched the archives for hours, but... Reply with quote

I still have a few random questions before coming to Riyadh in a few weeks. Thanks in advance for everyone's patience, and of course for helpful answers.

1. There's an indoor pool in the women's side of my school's campus. Will I be able to wear a normal racing suit or will I have to get one of those fancy full-clothes suits? And how about in the gym? What�s standard attire for women? Speaking of which, anyone doing Yoga or Pilates anywhere in Riyadh?

2. I�d like to get a subscription to The Economist. How�s the post in regard to magazines? Would it arrive in a reasonable timeframe (ie. not be outdated by the time I got it)?

3. The dress standard at my school is professional. Any tips from the ladies about work wardrobe? I�m assuming full air conditioning. I�m also assuming that short sleeves are ok and that knee-length skirts are ok. How about neckline? Heel height? Anything else?

4. Can one buy camping gear relatively easily? Anyone go camping in the desert?

5. How readily available are birth control pills? Anyone have a recommendation for a female doctor?

Thanks again!
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007



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:40 pm    Post subject: Re: I've searched the archives for hours, but... Reply with quote

WaegukinYeoJa wrote:

4. Can one buy camping gear relatively easily?

Yes.

Quote:
Anyone go camping in the desert?

Well, it will depend on the desert on which you want to camp!
Camping in the desert surrounding Riyadh is not like camping in the Empty-Quarter desert or the desert in the south of the Magic Kingdom!

In some of the Saudi deserts, the Saudi authorities will not allow you to camp if you have only one 4X4 car, in addition you have to inform the police before you go and camp in some of the isolated Saudi deserts.
Some Westerners were found dead in the desert near Jeddah and in the Empty Quarter, because they lost their way and run out off water and petrol, or their car was trapped in the sand!!
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Mia Xanthi



Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 955
Location: why is my heart still in the Middle East while the rest of me isn't?

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
3. The dress standard at my school is professional. Any tips from the ladies about work wardrobe? I�m assuming full air conditioning. I�m also assuming that short sleeves are ok and that knee-length skir
rts are ok. How about neckline? Heel height? Anything else?


Short sleeves are actually kind of iffy. To be on the safe side, bring shirts with sleeves that come at least to the top of the elbow. Sleevelessis not acceptable under any circumstances and little cap sleeves might not be acceptable, even in an all-female environment. Necklines can also be an issue. Heel height doesn't seem to pose any problems, but ask Cleopatra about those. She's the expert on wearing heels in Riyadh Smile

Quote:
4. Can one buy camping gear relatively easily? Anyone go camping in the desert?


Camping gear of all sorts is widely available in the Eastern Province, where I live. Camping in the desert is very popular in the winter. The problem is that, as a single female, you can't go camping with men and you wouldn't be safe with just a group of women.

Quote:
5. How readily available are birth control pills? Anyone have a recommendation for a female doctor?


Birth control pills can be purchased over the counter without a prescription. However, variety is limited. PM me with the type you use and I'll try to check for you.

As for the swimsuit question, that's a hard one to answer. To be on the safe side, bring a racing suit and some tight black leggings to wear with it. That seems to be the solution that a lot of women arrive at here. Some places don't seem to have a problem with modest suits, and other places most definitely do. Believe it or not, many women here swim in abayas. Rolling Eyes
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WaegukinYeoJa



Joined: 17 Oct 2008
Posts: 26

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

[quote="Mia Xanthi"][quote] Believe it or not, many women here swim in abayas. Rolling Eyes[/quote]

Yikes, that almost sounds dangerous!

Thanks guys, good stuff.
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed



Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What's a riot is watching them jetski in an abaya with that thing flapping behind them! Laughing Laughing Laughing

NCTBA
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007



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mia Xanthi wrote:
Believe it or not, many women here swim in abayas. Rolling Eyes

Teta Mia, believe it or not, many women and men in the United States of America, swim naked in the Haulover Beach in Miami, Florida!

Clothesless people in the Magic State! Laughing


Last edited by 007 on Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:38 pm; edited 1 time in total
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johnslat



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dera 007,
Different (swimming) strokes for different folks. Hmm, I wonder if the "breast stroke" is banned in the Kingdom.
Regards,
John
P.S. Dear 007,
Actually it's official nickname is "The Sunshine State", and if you're naked, well, a lot more sun can shine in.
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shadowfax



Joined: 31 May 2003
Posts: 212
Location: Pocket Universe 935500921223097532957092196

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Speaking as a misogynistic misanthropic eunuchoid, I really don't understand what all the fuss is about. Twisted Evil
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johnslat



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dear shadowfax,
The "fuss" is about the fact that some consider certain parts of the human body to be areas that should be hidden from public view.
Of course, it's ridiculous, but you, as a classicist and an keen observer of human behavior, should hardly say that you "don't understand" what the "fuss" is about.
I mean, this covering of the generative organs and the nurturing ones has been going on for quite a while in most parts of the world. I'm quite sure that you do understand that such taboos are rationally unjustified, but I'm also sure that you're only too well aware that human beings are seldom rational.
Regards,
John
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shadowfax



Joined: 31 May 2003
Posts: 212
Location: Pocket Universe 935500921223097532957092196

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

By George, Sir, thou hast grown grave and serious of late. Too much posting hereabouts! I was, if my subconscious mind betray me not, being entirely whimsical. Perhaps you're humour is even drier than mine, so that I didn't realise the extent to which you yourself speak whimsically. Question

How about running naked for a sign like the early Quakers. A pious undertaking but not for the family beach perhaps. Laughing
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johnslat



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dear shadowfax,
I apologize for having taken you too seriously (especially given the "smiley devil" icon at the end.) Your whimsy is hereby recognized and appreciated.
Regards,
John
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shadowfax



Joined: 31 May 2003
Posts: 212
Location: Pocket Universe 935500921223097532957092196

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Most gracious, Sir. And may I in turn apologise for an unwonted lapse of decorum. Must be a phase o' the moon this evening in auld araby. Wink
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed



Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...

PostPosted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 3:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Such decorum is genuinely appreciated! Very Happy

NCTBA Very Happy
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007



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom

PostPosted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My poet of Araby, are you mad, or what are you? Have you no wit, manners nor respect, but to gabble like a pre-Victorian bottomless poet in the 21st century?
Is there no respect of art, literature, history, people, place nor time in you? Laughing
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meri



Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 31

PostPosted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

In my university skirts must be full length or close and knee length would not be acceptable. Trousers are not allowed. Short sleeve tops are OK and the students show plenty of cleavage. High heels are common.
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