The following was done by a fellow Expat, Shauna Murgatroyd from Canada. Shauna and her family have been here in Yanbu since around 2011. Thought it was very true and too good not to share!
THINGS I HAVE LEARNED IN SAUDI:
THINGS I HAVE LEARNED IN SAUDI:
- Have a LOT of patience. Things do happen here, but at a much slower pace than expected.
- Everything is imported except for oil, sand and camels.
- Diving & snorkeling in the Red Sea is THE best kept secret – there are world class reefs here.
- Boredom is taken to a whole new level, you have to find ways to occupy your time or you will go crazy.
- Driving rules of the road are merely suggestive.
- Shopping is it’s own adventure. You are always searching for a particular item, but instead find some familiar treasures and stock up, as you don’t know when you will ever see those items again (think Costco syndrome).
- Accept the fact that there is no pork or alcohol here.
- Most conversations between expats will involve them talking about their next trip out of kingdom.
- Blond people stand out in a crowd.
- I have eaten so much chicken here I am ready to start clucking & sprouting feathers (refer to #7).
- The sunsets & sunrises here have the most beautiful colors.
- Fish watching should be a sport (see #3).
- The most important items you own here are your passport and your laptop.
- It is a very bad day when your internet and air conditioning both quit working.
- There is nothing like fresh pita bread & hummous.
- Few expats know only one language (sadly I am that 1%).
- Doritos in Saudi taste like……..Doritos.
- Your schedule revolves around when the next prayer time is, or you will be locked out of whatever store or restaurant you are at.
- Friday & Saturday are considered the weekends here. That means Sunday is the new Monday and Saturday is the new Sunday.
- Everyone owns at least one carpet.
- The locals start wearing winter hats & mitts in October….I’m still wearing my shorts in January (Hey, I’m from Canada – don’t judge me).
- You know how many time zones there are between here and your family back home.
- Saudis are nocturnal ‘cause it’s usually too hot in the daytime. That’s why they sleep in the afternoon and are up most of the night.
- Jewelry, shoes & abayas can be tried on easily in stores. Other clothing items? Not so much.
- Ramadan. Enough said.
- Everyone here understands Facebook, Youtube, Amazon & Apple.
- It is a unique adventure that is hard to explain unless you live here.