Job Discussion Forums

[lucreziaborgia]

What do I wear on entry to the KSA? A lush Vietnamese silk ensemble or do I have to wear an abaya? I could have one made in Hanoi over the next few days - in cotton or raw silk.

[Cleopatra]

You don't need an abaya to enter KSA - just wear a long, loose shirt or jacket, preferably in black. It would be nice if the person who picks you up at the airport brought an 'emergency abaya' for you - maybe one donated by a former teacher - but this almost never happens.

[lucreziaborgia]

Thanks Cleo,
I have been researching abaya designs and think I will have a cotton one made in Hanoi over the next few days. One of the reasons I accepted work in the KSA is for simplicity in everything. Life in Vietnam is too lush after awhile. I have had all my silk finery laundered and am looking forward to packing it away for the next year. I have given a lot away and only kept the best items as it's just too excessive to manage.
Does one wear shoes or sandals?

[Cleopatra]

KSA doesn't have to be a life of drab cover-alls, you know. Once you establish a social circle, you'll find that there are ample opportunities for dressing up - or not, if you so choose.

Because of the climate, most women wear open shoes most of the time. In Riyadh in winter, it can get cold enough to neccessitate covered shoes, but in Jeddah or the EP, sandals should be fine year round.

[lucreziaborgia]

I yearn for a simple life and that is part of the KSA's appeal. I will buy some dainty peep-toed shoes to wear under my abaya. I have been looking at abaya designs and have already begun to fantasize; I must keep my sartorial obsessions in check or I'll end up with the same problem I had in Vietnam.

[Linda467]

Lucrezia

I am planning on having one of my abayas in my handbag and put it over my clothes just before I step off the plane, including the veil on my shoulders but not covering my head - see if I can go trough customs with no trouble

For airline weight allowance purposes I am only carrying cotton and silk clothes and Cleo is absolutely right on the weather and shoe wear, I live in a place very similar to Riyadh where temps can drop dramatically overnight, as I matter of fact I was swimming three days ago, now wearing fall clothing

[lucreziaborgia]

I have a couple of jumpers that I will bring; Hanoi can be cold in winter.
I don't think I'll bother with shoes - except for a pair of practical sandals, a peepy-toed pair and my Nikes - I'm sure I can buy delicious shoes in Riyadh.
Countdown time! Feeling excited and a sad at the same time time. I'm trying to think beautiful abayas to control my ferocious mood swings...
Most of you sound like delightful people; maybe we'll meet.

[Linda467]

Thank you, quite possibly we shall meet

I�m the kind of down to earth, uncomplicated, easy going type who enjoys swimming, cooking, reading, hiking, movies, shopping etc. and will do away with the self centered, egotistic, obsession riden type of personality - whether a man or a woman and not matter which kind of if is (ie. food, workout, whatever) so if anyone can happily share any of these hobbies above I will certainly like to meet.

Good day

[Cleopatra]

Don't go overboard with the jumpers.

Riyadh only gets genuinely cold (in the Northern European sense) for a few weeks in Dec/Jan, although the last 2 winters have been surprisingly chilly. Even then, it is normally quite pleasant except in the early mornings and late evenings. It also tends to be a lot colder indoors that outdoors - Saudi buildings, understandably enough, are built to deal with the heat, not the cold.

[Mia Xanthi]

Do bring at least a couple of dressy outfits. As mentioned in a recent thread, there are lots of all-women parties at which everyone dresses to the nines. Simple life or not, you will be glad that you brought some dressy clothes with you.

[lucreziaborgia]

I come from a very cold climate and spent years living in another one. A few years ago I spent late autumn and early winter on Shetland. I never thought that I could cope with a hot climate however, much to my surprise, I loved the climate of HCMC and later, Hanoi.
Hanoi sometimes has a chilling winter and as you described Riyadh, it is not set up for cold weather. Heating of any quality is only found in 5 star hotels and nobody prepares for winter as they do not know how long it will last or how cold it will be. Two years ago the overnight temperature fell to around -5 and during the day was rarely more than 8 degrees. People and animals died from exposure.
The only way to cope with it was to have a hot shower as soon as arriving home, getting into bed and watching TV. Sometimes as early as 5pm.
Winter clothes were not available in shops for Western womens' bodies so they had to be made - and that took time - as tailors were overloaded with orders. This lasted 37 days and started without warning. One day it was warm and balmy; the next it cold with a pea soup fog.
Most of us got through it in a depressed and disgruntled way; many left at the end of their contracts because their spirits were broken.
I assume it is easier to buy warm clothing and heaters in Riyadh. I don't really want to bring all my functional clothing with me as it has bad memories. Jumpers are acceptable but my long johns and matching tops aren't. They are truly gross!
I am bringing my favourite silk beauties as I love them; and I look forward to attending womens' parties.
I am exhausted and yearn for a simple, structured life where my life will be ordered and somewhat circumscribed. However, I also look forward to making new friends and having a social life.
Well constructed footpaths and an absence of motorbikes is a priority!
Is traffic ordered and well behaved in Riyadh? Please say it is.

[johnslat]

Dear lucreziaborgia,

"Is traffic ordered and well behaved in Riyadh? Please say it is."

Am I first?



Um, wish I COULD say yes, but that would be a lie, a REALLY BIG lie.

Traffic in Riyadh has to be among the worst in the world - perhaps in the universe (presuming they drive on other planets.)
I'm SURE you'll be hearing horror stories from many other posters, so I'll content myself with being the primary one to reply.

Regards,
John

[Cleopatra]

John has already dealt with the traffic issue, but as for this:

[lucreziaborgia]

Johnslat,
O. Damn.
Have you ever been to Viet Nam?
I'm not attempting to be competitive; but have you?
I catch taxis in all cities in Viet Nam and fly to get to other places.
I will not travel by road outside any city
In taxis, I never look ahead but gaze at shops and buildings; anything
but in front.
I have caught local buses because they are big and thunder along.
I travel by train for a day away from Hanoi even though it takes twice as long to get to a destination than by bus.
I cannot describe the traffic jams. I cannot describe crossing a street; even a narrow one. I cannot describe walking down an alley. I cannot describe walking along footpaths.
Please tell me it's not this bad in Riyadh.
Is Riyadh noisy?
Please say it isn't.

[Cleopatra]

I have been in Vietnam, and the situation regarding traffic is very different in Riyadh and, say, Hanoi. You don't have the variety of means of transport you would have in Hanoi - everyone travels by car, usually fairly modern, fast cars. There are very few bikes or motorcycles and certainly no rickshaws or pedicabs! Also, the roads tend to be very wide and modern (in Riyadh, less so in older Jeddah).

So while you don't have the 'chaos' of Asian cities, what you have is a lot of inconsiderate, extremely reckless drivers behind the wheels of fast cars. Rules of the road exist mainly to be ignored. The rate of road accidents is very high, one of the highest in the world.