Tea & Coffee in Saudi Arabia

In Saudi it is a peculiar fact that when you ask for a Tea or Coffee - that is exactly what you get. The only other variation is sugar which inevitably, because of the language barrier, means you get brown sugary water! Basically tea and coffee is taken black with loads of sugar!

Tea is not Tetley or PG they have the full range including flavoured Tea.
Coffee is another matter, if you don't want to sleep for a week, have a Turkish or a local coffee, believe you me Saudi is a place where you want to sleep, it helps pass the time!
Tea/Coffee is a very social thing - its big chats, back slapping, lots of raucous laughter, hand slapping and worry bead rotating.
So if you don't want to cause offence take what comes you way despite what you have asked for, hold you nose and drink it.
When in Saudi I drink water - it helps me sleep!

Executive Restaurant Jeddah Style

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner!

In the Same place

The Weetabix Boat

It is an unremarkable fact that “Weetabix” is unavailable in Bahrain.
Living on an Island you come to accept that from time to time somethings just run out. The Weetabix boat has still not arrived!

In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, I have found a Weetabix Mountain!
No one must eat it here or are the traders waiting for what they call "the right price".
Big Fat Cat Futures Managers dealing in Weetabix!
No.
Weetabix is a pretty boring cereal if you are a kid.
However as we have a diabetic in the family all sugary cereals are banned hence we eat Weetabix.
"All Bran" is probably the only other acceptable cereal. However that's like eating straw!
My theory is, in Saudi the children are so badly spoilt they have become addicted to sugar, in Jeddah more so, because of the influence from Africa. So the little darlings will not eat Weetabix hence the Weetabix Mountain. QED.
Either that or they make it here!

Jeddah Toilet Etiquette

When it's time to go, you have to go!
So when you are faced with a Toilet that resembles a battlefield or looks like someone has had a shower in it, it can be quite disconcerting. What do they actually do in there?

A Muslim must first find an acceptable place away from standing water, or people's pathways or shade. They are advised it is better to enter the area with the left foot.
While on the toilet, one must remain silent. Talking, answering greetings or greeting others is strongly discouraged. When defecating together, two men cannot converse, nor look at each other's private parts, and especially not handle each other's private parts. A man should not touch his private parts with the right hand.
The Prophet has specified one should use an odd number of stones (preferably three) to cleanse the anal orifice after defecation and then proceed to a different location to wash it with water. Use of toilet paper in place of stones is now acceptable, but washing with water is still needed for ritual purity. When leaving the toilet, one is advised to leave with the right foot, and also say a prayer - "Praise be to Allah who relieved me of the filth and gave me relief".

So that's what they are doing!
I thought they just could not aim the anal spray!

Communication

How to speak Arabic, French, Lebanese, Hindi, Urdu and Bangladeshi?
British answer: Shout!
When they don’t understand?
British answer: Shout Louder!
My company is based in South Africa and has entered into joint venture with a Saudi Arabian Company. CEOs, irrespective of nationality, all speak the same language.
But at the sharp end, actually delivering the project, no one speaks the same language.
Our JV partner has its roots in the Lebanon so we have Arabic and French speakers. The field engineers are Indian and Pakistani. The tea boy is Bangladeshi.
In all cases English is not even their second language.
However with my little Hindi I am able to get Tea & Water.
It has been a quite day at work!
In the evening the Catering staff in the Camp are all Filipino so its down to pointing!

Bachelor Camp Recreation

Recreation is a serious business and scheduling when each Nationality can swim is not to be taken lightly!

The Red Sea

I am in Jeddah so what can you do? Not very much at all! So a stroll down to the Red Sea should do it. In this instance the Red Sea happens to be the largest shopping centre in Jeddah. Nothing here is straight forward or as it seems!


As I walk up to the shopping centre I notice groups of men sitting around the water features and landscaped areas outside. When I get to the entrance I see burly security guards and walk into Narnia.
TCN (Third Country Nationals) and young local Saudi men are not allowed in at night because "women" go out in the evening!!!!
As I look around at every imaginable shop - Jewelry, Clothes, Designer labels, Electric etc including lingerie. I can not help question the morality of covering up (Abiya & Veil), keeping people apart (Married - Single)- then having short dresses, skirts, plunging necklines, very nice lingerie all on clear display!!!!!!
Then the call to prayer......fifteen minutes later all the shops are closed. I expected to see all the faithful rush off - however indifference to religion seems to be worldwide!

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Bachelor Camp

Building 191 - Room 13 - you have got to be kidding me!
It was hot and humid and I was taken along to a functional clean room in a prefabricated block.
After the door was closed and the very helpful house keeper left(labourer in a blue boiler suit) my eyes where attracted to the welcome sign, the can of Pif Paf and the air freshener!

After leaving off my bag thinking O.M.G. I am going to be eaten alive. I was then taken to see the camp boss and given my food vouchers and shown the restaurant where I could eat!
On the camp they have restaurants for Labourers & Craftsmen - split into nationalities (Indian, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines); Engineers - split into nationalities; Senior Managers - split into nationalities (including European & Lebanese); then executives.
The Cadre Executive Restaurant is three bolted together portacabins with no Windows. Tables and chairs and a serving counter. The tables have table cloths, place mats and coasters all covered in heavy duty clear plastic sheeting - easy cleaning or messy eaters?
Walking back from the restaurant I was given to think "was this what prison was like?" - rows of accommodation blocks sitting behind high walls and men wandering about with nothing to do - O.M.G. do they put something in the food to keep their libido down! If so what have I just eaten!!!

Jeddah Umrah Flight

Life has been a bit unpredictable over the last few months. My company has taken the "New Markets" approach to finding work. Hence over the last month I have been to Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah.
Success comes in many shapes and sizes and this one came as a 750 meter long tunnel under the runway and taxiway at Jeddah Airport.
As the contract is still at an early stage I am traveling between Jeddah and Bahrain.
Today was my first Umrah Flight!
All the pilgrims on the flight dress in towels or sheets,only. In the words of Sir David Attenborough as he stood on a huge mound of bat droppings outside a South American cave "the smell is......... indescribable".

Upon arrival the Passport Control becomes a battle field! Its everyone for themselves - note this is not just applicable to the Muslim faith - did we not all see the fist fights in Bethlehem at Christmas!
Finally I get through and the friendly driver is waiting for me "Sir was a very long time" yes it was busy "not traveling business Sir" no down the back "Bloody Zoo Sir".
Onto the office which is just closing up - sorry Sir, no accommodation at the Sheraton, you are in the Bachelor Camp!