Job Discussion Forums

whatevs · Joined: 25 Apr 2012 Posts: 45

Hi everyone, new here. I got offered a job in Saudi. It looks okay, what I expected more or less.

But as I look into what life is like there...seems like a lack of outdoor activity options, which is really important to me, and I''m thinking it could be the dealbreaker here. For me hiking, jogging, sometimes cycling, and swimming even better, are key to making it through the week. Not to mention staying fit of course. Can women get out and run there? Are there trails, pools, places to play raquetball...etc.? Outdoors preferably, but indoor is better than nothing.

Probably I can already deduce this myself. I want to ask, to be sure, though, because the offer is not too bad and I was always curious about life in the middle east.

ultraman111 · Joined: 17 Sep 2011 Posts: 148

There are various Hashhouse running groups I believe, all expats.....but its gonna be a bit hot for running for the next 4-5 months.

johnslat · Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 10:54 pm Post subject:

Dear whatevs.

Where will you be in Saudi? Location can make quite a difference (e.g. Abha versus Jeddah).

Regards,
John

flowerpower822 · Joined: 21 Apr 2012 Posts: 15 Location: usa

From what I heard, if you're on a compound, you can run around all you want Wink

posh · Joined: 22 Oct 2010 Posts: 430

There's plenty to do and if you are on a compound all your wishes will come true, re. running, swimming and cycling. Not really a hiking set up. Mindlessly driving around is the national sport.

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

Outdoor activities... as John stated- has more to do with location- some places will have more options than others.
You can always buy a treadmill and stick a postcard of your favorite landscape infront of you. Granted ...it's not ideal, but still better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick Laughing

EnglishDoYouSpeakIt · Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 151 Location: Saudi Arabia

I've seen a cyclist in Riyadh, and have seen a cycling group out in Khobar. I wouldn't cycle in a city like Riyadh. You will get hit by a car and you will die. Maybe on the outskirts, or in a new area that has roads but isn't occupied.
Hiking is available near riyadh if you are feeling adventurous but it's a very good idea to have a Saudi or two with you.

There are gyms with basketball/football/swimming. there are outdoor places to run; they are populated mostly by couples walking slowly and single youths driving around smoking hash or doing whatever else.

If you're a women you can forget about most everything I've said here. I've never seen a girl running outside, except when my wife and I were caught in a sudden sandstorm a half kilo from my flat.

AnneCO · Joined: 11 Feb 2012 Posts: 53 Location: US

I would think cycling is out for women too?

johnslat · Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 12:52 pm Post subject:

Dear AnneCO,

"I would think cycling is out for women too?" Laughing

Well, not if you buy a stationary bike for your apartment. Very Happy

Regards,
John

flowerpower822 · Joined: 21 Apr 2012 Posts: 15 Location: usa

HAHA...rofl, too funny...but not at the same time!
Razz

2buckets · Joined: 14 Dec 2010 Posts: 515 Location: Middle East

In Jeddah I had a HobbyCat, so got some great high speed sailing in, (on the "Creek"). Also got my SCUBA certification there. Good fishing too.
My compound had a good pool, so lap swimming proved to be very therapeutic.

Mrguay84 · Joined: 03 Dec 2009 Posts: 125

Are these compounds a bit like 'prisons for rich people'?

posh · Joined: 22 Oct 2010 Posts: 430

Not really prisons because you can leave, go to bed, and turn your light off whenever you want. Back in the day, so I hear, they were hedonistic playgrounds full of nurses and air stewardesses and booze swilling oil men. But the mullahs kicked up a fuss in the 80s and all the fun ended. These days they are sedate, family-orientated places with nice pools, restaurant, barber, shop, etc and no prayer time.

johnslat · Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 3:07 pm Post subject:

Dear Mrguay84,

Some people think that for many "Westerners", anyway, the whole country is "like a prison."

However, having done both (worked in Saudi and in a penitentiary,) I'd say that there really no comparison. It's no prison.

Even though I went home every night at the penitentiary, the atmosphere there was so oppressive and pervasive that it tainted even my off time.

Compared to a REAL prison, Saudi, for me, at any rate, was a walk in the park on a spring day.

But then, I'm a guy. I suspect for women who go there, it's a lot more "prison-like."

Regards,
John

posh · Joined: 22 Oct 2010 Posts: 430

Article about sport and women in KSA

http://arabnews.com/variety/article633389.ece