Dates

04/10/2010
Hello Friends and Family,
I know that when you read my blog you may think that I’m doing something new and exciting every day, but what I don’t write about is all the time in between.
Life here in Riyadh can be real hard some days. Just the thought of being 6000 miles away from your family and friends can make your days much longer. Every day is a exercise in keeping the mind body and spirit busy. A normal day here for me will consist of me getting up, meeting the fellas( which includes Abdulla and his wife Sue) and going to breakfast downstairs in the hotel. After eating we usually go and sit outside in the front of the hotel and talk for about 30 min. Here there is no rush, no hurry. Time is just something we try to burn waiting to start work. Now don’t get me wrong I am grateful for down time but there is a point when too much down time can be negative. What I have learned about myself is that I much rather sit outside and talk to people than do anything in my room like play video games or watch a movie. At home I had times when I would watch a movie by myself, but here that can sometimes bring my spirit down. After sitting outside we all tend to go back to our rooms for a while and clean up or whatever. Later someone from the group will motivate to go for a walk or head to the gym in the hotel, where these creepy little Philippino guys who work in the gym and the spa are usually sitting in the workout room watching tv. These guys like to stare as you work out…Creeeeepy. They seem enjoy staring at men more than the television. Anyway at this point it’s probably about 2pm. I don’t really need to go on I just wanted to paint a picture of what a standard day is like. I know things will be better once I am able to start working, open a bank account and get a car. The good thing about all of this is that I was getting paid as soon as I got off the plane, it just takes time for all the paperwork to get finished so I can actually see the money I’m making.
Since an expats life consist of trying to find something to do in this new strange world we are always on the lookout for functions that are posted or any parties. There have been two people that I am so grateful and indebted to and that is, Asma and her sister Reema. They have gone above and beyond her job duty working in recruiting for the SRCA and they have taken all the expats under their wing, showing us things to do to keep us busy. They realized that our spirits would be higher if we had more things to do. They takes it upon themselves to find out all the different functions that are going on in Riyadh and tells us or e-mails us about them. If it wasn’t for Asma , me and the fellas would have never got in that race car. This week coming up Asma got us invites to a pool party and Barbeque and also we will be going to the Tai embassy for their new years celebration this Thursday. I will try to see if I can get pictures but most embassies don’t allow visitors to bring cameras or cell phones.
I can’t sing Asma’s and Remma’s praises enough they are a perfect example how hospitable to visitors the Saudi people can be. This thursday their father invited all the expats to his date farm somewhere far north of Riyadh, like 300 miles. We all met at their family’s house , which was lovely and really, really big. We got to meet their father Ali, her mother and brother. They piled us up into their family vehicle and another car and off we went. The drive took us about 4hours in total and we ended up in this small farming town where Ali grew up. When we went inside the gates of the Date farm there was this nice sized structure with palms for a roof and walls. Ali took us into this Palm building that was about 20 degrees cooler than it was outside( and that’s Fahrenheit for anyone who reads this who uses Celsius) Now at this point all the men went into this hut outside and the women went into the main house on the property. Ali told us about growing dates and he also took us for a tour around the property. Ali not only had date trees but he also had 3 fish farm tanks where he was growing Tilapia and Catfish. He had grapes and some other fruit that we tried to figure what it was called after we ate it. They had chickens in the back and across a door leading to the other portion of the family’s land where they had more chickens and some hairy goats.
I went to the store with Essam, Ali’s son and we bought some drinks for everyone. When I tried to pay for my portion of the drinks he explained to me that because I am his father’s guest his dad would be angry if I paid anything. He explained that it is the Saudi way, to really cater to and take care of their guest. Essam then took me to his family’s old house and I got to take some pictures of these old structures made from straw clay and cement. Shortly after we got back with the drinks lunch showed up. We were served Kapsa rice and meats( chicken, beef and lamb no camel) along with hummus olives in olive oil and pita bread. This was my first traditional Saudi meal. We sat on the floor of the hut and dug into the food with our hands( but spoons were also available). This was one of the best meals I have had since I have been here. After lunch some of the guys took naps and I went to walk around the farm. I had a chance to sit for a second and talk to Asma’s mother, her sister Reema and Judy one of the expat wives. When I went to shake Asma’s mom’s hand she kind of pulled her hand into herself. I was like Oh I’m so sorry. She was cool thought she understood. I’m so used to western culture of shaking someone’ s hand when I meet It feels rude when I don’t but here you don’t shake a woman’s hand and if you do it, it sure as hell won’t be a married woman’s hand.
I walked around some more and even helped Essam chase one of the goats to give it some medicine. While doing this I learned a valuable lesson Date Palms have some very sharp points on them. The weather began to change and Ali told us we should leave early because there was a storm heading our way.
So of into the cars we went to head home. On the way back we drove threw one of the strangest sand storms I have seen thus far. It was raining and heavy sand was wiping the car around. It got real thick at one point, similar to a white out in a snow storm but only lasted a mile and it just cleared up. 4 and a half hours later we got back to the hotel had some dinner and I was off to bed.
Now this weekend there was a large teenage football team at the hotel so the hotel filled the rooms with 3 to 4 kids a room and they were all hanging out in the hallway. These little F**KERS decided it would be funny to knock on my door while I’m chilling in my room and it’s about 1 or 2am. I went to the door twice and no one was there. At one point I opened the door and yelled at the closest kid WHAT! At that point I realized I have become that old man that I would have done that too if I was in their shoes, Karma can be a bitch. So, before I opened the door and started beating other peoples children with my belt I called the front desk and complained… It’s funny but even though I couldn’t understand the language I was able to understand by the tone of voice one of the kids telling an adult “but it wasn’t me” and the Adult yelling back all you little pieces of shit better stop bothering that man or I’m going to let him choke the lot of you. LOL, ahhh if I have learned nothing in Riyadh, I have learned to have a strong imagination and she comforts me in my times of need.
All kidding aside I understand that the world is a book that we are here to learn from and if that’s true then so far Saudi Arabia has been like high school for me. I have already learned so much about myself and about this culture and look forward to learning more in this ancient and holy land. When I first arrived here I thought a certain way and had a few preconceived notions in my head. As time has passed everything changes. How I think, how I see things, how I value things and the people in my life. This culture with all it’s restrictions can seem like a large loss of freedom. But even though I can’t live my life the way I did in the west I think it helps one to focus on other things more basic and important, like friends, family and the bond that we all share.
I may have started this blog with the glass is half empty kind of writing but as I write I do realize and appreciate the gifts that God Or Allah( which ever name you prefer) bestows upon me and I am grateful for that and for all of the people that have crossed my path. For the experiences that we share and the lessons that we learn are a wonderful gift.
I am especially grateful to Ali and the whole Al- Tuwaijri family for being wonderful host and inviting us into their home and lives. Shookran Jazeelan (Many Thanks)

How Fast Did You Say

So on Friday I went with Doug, Tom and Allen to some kind of race event. We were invited by one of the ladies at the office Asma( sorry if I spelled it wrong) to go to this event that way out in the desert somewhere. I really need to keep track of the names of the places I go. Anyway when she asked if I was interested in going to some race event I thought I would be sitting up in some seats and watching a race. Well, we drive on the highway for about an hour and get off and start heading down some road with farms and it's very interesting because there are these patches of greenery in the middle of the desert. These farms use these Giant sprinklers on wheels that water the soil. So we drive past a few farms and in the middle of nowhere there is this race track. So we go to the office sign our names on a list and then sign an injury waver. Now we walk into this area with these garages and inside one there are people sitting at tables there is a bar with drinks( juice ,soda, water and red bull) a DJ blasting music and a table with all types of sandwiches. Instead of being in the stands we are now standing in the pit where the cars come in. First thing we find out is that the food and drinks are free. Then we find out that we will be able to go around the track in the race car. The racing team is called Al Faisal and everyone we met are very nice. So we all got a helmet to wear and then each one of us got a chance to get into this bad as Porsche and get driven around the track at about (220kph) 137mph. When it was my chance to get in the driver says to me if you need me to slow down just move your hand up and down. I told him, “buddy you don’t have to worry about me telling you to slow down”. So I slide my wide ass into a seat that squeezes onto my hips the assistants lock me into the 5 point harness, the door closes and driver gives me a thumbs up and screeeee we peel out. Now I think that I have been fast before on a motorcycle, but I am sorely mistaken. Even before we get on to the main track I’m thinking is this guy trying to run us into the wall because we were heading toward a turn like we can only go straight. Then boom he down shifts and takes this tight turn faster then I have ever been in my car. We zip around this track and by the time we make it to the straight away he looks over to me and I’m laughing and clapping like a chimpanzee, he points to the speedometer to show me how fast we are going(220kph), grabs the wheel down shifts and takes the turn. When we pull back into the pit and stop I’m officially a fan of racing. Never in my life have I felt any G-forces like this for that long. I step out of the car and have this real light headed adrenaline rush going on. Has to be one of the most exhilarating feelings of my life that didn’t include worrying about crashing, like when my plane almost ran into the back of another plane.
I walked away from that car with nothing but profound respect for race car drivers. After I was talking to one of the pit bosses; Paul. I over here him say something about princes and when I ask him, there’s a prince here? Where? He points to the guy who drove me around the track. He tells me one of the drivers name is Abdul and the other is named Khalid. Then I find out that most of the people who are hanging out are family and some of the other drivers are cousins and uncles. Now my mind is officially blown. Never in a hundred years would I imagine that I would be driven around a race track by a prince and then able to have out with his family. WOW!
So me and the guys giggle like little girls comparing our racing stories and as Prince Khalid walks by we get a picture with him and later his brother. After that we got another chance to go around in these open top race cars that kind of look like the cars from speed racer. We traveled around the same speed but this time there were a bunch of cars on the track and we did two laps. Passing a car at those speeds is another major rush that is hard for me to explain. This was one of the best days that I have had here and I can’t remember the last time I was this high off life. I think the last time I felt this way was after my first fire.
We are supposed to go back this Friday to watch another race, Insh’Allah. It’s amazing how experiences like these change your perception on things you like or dislike. Before I would say I can’t stand to watch Soccer. Now I get it and am a whole lot more interested in going to a game. I also can’t wait to go to the races again.
Being here in Saudi Arabia all alone has made me look at life differently. It has made me a much more understanding and patient person. It also has change what I focus on. In the states I would be content in coming home and sitting down watching TV and playing video games for hours. Now a barley watch TV or play video games. They seem to be my last option. Here interaction with people is the most important thing I do in my day. Just sitting and having someone to talk to in your language is worth it’s weight in gold.
Something I think we never think about is good old human contact. I’m Spanish and my whole family we kiss and hug when we first see each other when we say goodbye. All my friends we shake and give each other a hug. When a person that you’re a friend with talks to you and cracks a joke they may tap you in the arm. But here that has been non-existent. I think that has been one of the most enlightening things I have learned about myself so far. There is a deep routed need for simple human contact. It’s hard to explain I think you have to experience it to get the idea. Last Wednesday when we were hanging out at one of the compounds my buddy Allen put his hand on my shoulder and said” now this is a place I could live at happily” It’s weird but just buy that little touch it made me kind of get surprised for a sec. It was weird, but then I realized that was the first contact I had had with anyone in almost 3 weeks. The next time you go threw your day count how many times someone touches you or you touch other people. It may blow your mind. This Thursday a bunch of the expats from SRCA are going to Asma’s father’s date farm in the country. It should be a wonderful day. I will Take a bunch of pictures and write about it as soon as I can.
Carlito
Arabic word of the day is Ukht-Sister
Arabic phrase of the day is Ayn Al Humum- where’s the bathroom

Where do I start

04/02/10

Happy Birthday Mom

I write this today my mom’s birthday the past few days have been eventful and really great.

First I moved out of the compound that I was staying at and into the hotel that is in the center of the city, it is called the Tulip Inn. Pretty nice place and the company covers our breakfast and dinner here in the hotel. It is nice to be able to go out of the front and walk around and see people. Even though I can’t speak to most of the people I see, it is still nice to be in the heart of the city. The past few nights I go out and take long walks and just venture around seeing whatever I can. All of the shops here open late and stay open til almost 12am. This will be my 4^th day in this hotel and I’m happier than a pig in shit to be where the pulse of the city is. I blend in well here because I have had many people turn to me and speak Arabic and every time I reply Mafi Arabi ( I don’t speak Arabic) I get a shocked look and what I assume is a statement like bullshit you don’t speak Arabic to start. But then I tell them where I’m from and if they speak any English I can usually have a nice chat about New York or Florida.

Time is interesting here since I haven’t started work and won’t probably start for another 10 days if not more, so I find things to keep my mind and body busy. The other night after dinner me and my buddy Tom walked around and found a shopping center across from our hotel. We saw our first little person working behind a counter and we looked at women’s dresses…And took pictures of them with our phone. I know the people in the mall were already staring at us cause we looked different but then you add on that we were oohing and ahhing the beautiful designs of dresses that all these shops had. Yes I know very macho thing to do. Ah I know Amira probably has a proud tear in her eye to know her husband had a dandy old time window shopping. But really I have never seen such beautiful designs. So me and Tom had a laugh at our own expense and imagined our significant others wearing these works of art.

On Wednesday I went to the health council to get my paperwork together so I can get my work visa. I can say it was my pleasure to wait in this building for 10 hours. My ticker number was 68, so I walked around in a circle for hours and when it became later and they were up to number 53 I noticed a bunch of guys standing my one of the window. I decided it was close to closing time so I should see what’s up. Well apparently some time after 3 o’clock the number system goes out the window and it is a kind of a free for all. So I found a person who could speak English and tell me what to do. One of the guards told me just go to the window and this one particular will process my paperwork real fast… Anyway, they went over my stuff and I ended up being the last person leaving the place. There might have bee a small amount of pushing and squaring off in front of the window but by the grace of God I didn’t have to go back on Saturday.

Later that night me, Tom, Allen, and Doug all went to a compound called The Ranco Compound. Now this place was a real compound it had a Supermarket, Tennis courts, Pools, Hair dressers and 2 machine gun nest. Me and the guys hung out with one of the Aussie medics Matt who was really nice and gave us a tour, introduced us to his family and brought to the local gathering spot where we played pool, darts, drank apple juice, coke and non-alcoholic beer. It was a lot of fun and we met people from all over the world. It was a great night. All the expats that I have meet so far have been really great sociable people. This is turning out to be a really great experience, I’m glad I came out to this side of the planet. I hope you enjoy the pictures I think that say a few more than a thousand words ; )

It’s now 9:44pm and I just came back from dinner at a Korean restaurant. Earlier today Tom,Allen,Doug and I drove to some racing, family day event. It was such a AWESOME!!! experience I have to put it in another post with a bunch of pictures. I should have all of the pics from the other guys tomorrow and I will post the majority on facebook.

Today has been the best day I have had here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We got to hang out with 2 princes (that we know of) and their family and there was a race track involved…

Nuff said for now. To be continued…

Carlito