:: Palmshadows ::

Arrived in Saudi Arabia on July 14th for my expat assignment.  Finally found a compound to live in for the next two or three years.  Please check out the Saudi Arabia photo album if you would like to see where I am living.  It has been very interesting learning all the ins and outs of getting paperwork completed.  Have learned that you plan your day around prayer times (there are five prayer times per day).  Prayer time affects meetings, shopping, dining, etc.  Thursday and Friday are the weekend here and from Thursday afternoon until Saturday morning, no one works.  My work week is from Saturday through Wednesday.  The security here is overwhelming.  The compound where I live has multiple walls around the perimiter.  Inner walls are 20 feet tall.  Outer walls are 20 feet tall with electrified razor wire on top. There are multiple security check points getting in the compound that are guarded by military people with tanks, machine guns, etc. To drive into the compound you go through a maze of cement barricades that are between the 20 foot walls. Not a good drive for people that get car sick as you have to zig zag to get through the maze. Lots of Europeans live in the compounds and you can get everything within the compound. There is a restaurant, dry cleaners, grocery, 16 swimming pools, gym, limo service, tennis courts and lots of other ammenities. Driving is quite the experience in Riyadh. I will probably hire a full time driver as they don’t seem to have rules for driving or parking. Haven’t had a chance to get any photos out in the city as the Saudi’s frown on anyone taking pictures. Work has started out very slow.  It has taken two weeks just to get a phone and computer.  Now if I can get all the correct access, I can start being productive.  Enjoy the photos – more later as I have time.