UK to KSA......should I stay or should I go?

I myself dont think it is as bad as a lot of people make out, it is what you make of it and if you dont try to get out and do things it is easy to find yourself sitting at home for days on end. I think it is easier for working women as being in that enviornment automatically gives you a peer group of sorts. I went out to saudi because my husband got a job so I found at first that it was a little off putting having the whole day to fill but you get used to it and you find things to do and people too see if you just look .... In fact come by and say hi if you do find yourself in the sand xx

Hi Patsy,

There's so much written about this already.  Why don't you read the topic threads that apply and if you have specific questions that weren't answered, I'll be happy to respond

Louise.Welge wrote:

I myself dont think it is as bad as a lot of people make out, it is what you make of it and if you dont try to get out and do things it is easy to find yourself sitting at home for days on end. I think it is easier for working women as being in that enviornment automatically gives you a peer group of sorts. I went out to saudi because my husband got a job so I found at first that it was a little off putting having the whole day to fill but you get used to it and you find things to do and people too see if you just look .... In fact come by and say hi if you do find yourself in the sand xx

Wow, Louise!  My experience is the exact opposite.  I think the married, nonworking women have it made because so many doors here are open to men (and hence their spouses) that aren't open to single women.  I work but my colleagues are almost all Saudis (who live their own lives) and Filipinos (a close-knit group). 

It seems that my embassy as well as the groups of trailing spouses have their events on weekdays and I, of course, am unable to attend.

Granted, I'm busy but I'm also stressed out a lot due to my work and then not much to do on weekends to relieve that stress.

Guess the grass always looks greener, eh?

Hi Ladies,
Thanks for the response. I first need to learn how to read the 'threads' 'blogs' are whatever they are called
I suppose its the practical tips on managing adjustment shock & then trying to suss out what the pitfalls are for life in Saudi. I'm married with a grown up family but need to come out on a single status, so how will that affect my socialising & building friendships? I've worked in a testosterone fueled environment for many years & mixing with the opposite sex has played a huge part in my working life....Is it really going to be so different?
Do either of you know what the compund accommodation is like at RMH? The facilities they have etc, or know someone who works there?

Hi again,

CLICK HERE FOR TOPICS.

I know the military hospital has been discussed many times, even within the last week or two.  After reading everything, if you still have specific unanswered questions, I would advise you to PM those who have indicated they work there.

Good luck!

@ Alliecat
Gotta love that green grass hey and I hate that damn fence that always gets in the way ...

Pienso que embarcarte en una nueva experiencia por Riaydh te hara muy bien para tu bolsillo como tambien para disfrutar esta nueva oportunidad que se te presenta, no tengas temor!! si necesitas ayuda cuenta conmigo.  Yo llevo dos semanas por aqui y me ha ido basatnte bien con los contactos, si hablas Spanish, great!!
Como aprendiste el idioma Espanol?
Saludos cordiales,
Maria

mariaisabeldonoso wrote:

Pienso que embarcarte en una nueva experiencia por Riaydh te hara muy bien para tu bolsillo como tambien para disfrutar esta nueva oportunidad que se te presenta, no tengas temor!! si necesitas ayuda cuenta conmigo.  Yo llevo dos semanas por aqui y me ha ido basatnte bien con los contactos, si hablas Spanish, great!!
Como aprendiste el idioma Espanol?
Saludos cordiales,
Maria

Maria, please show some respect.  You've been asked several times to not speak Spanish in an English speaking forum.  If you want to speak Spanish, it's simple--just go to the SPANISH SPEAKING FORUM.  (click on the link: 'Spanish Speaking Forum").

i work in the military hospital as well... been here for a week today.. adjusting with all the people around.. everything is different where i came from ... the language, food, shall i say.. practically everything is different from what i was used to but i learn to adapt and warm up to those people around by smiling, and talking to them and becoming sincerely interested in their culture. i know it will be rough adjusting to the job and environment but i will surely make it happen, i came here for the adventure and i want to make it happen. if you will go to KAMC where i am, i will tell you that the compound is the most luxurious one compared to the other compound where most people live. we have the most modern accommodation here comparable to western standards... but if you are going to RMH, i can't say more. i have not been there so nothing to compare...but i have seen their accommodation, and it is somewhat like an apartment style building near the hospital... situated near the town center.. i wish u will go to KAMC...there are lots of westerners there in the compound

mariaisabeldonoso wrote:

Alliecat..several  time you are telling me what to do, are you the manager of the Expa.blog?..this is my first time I wrote in Spanish, the lady Patsystone is new member  here only I tried to gave her a nice welcomea ang same advice.
I have respect but dont you  forget that I am new member also.
That is all
Maria

I have seen you write in spanish or at least something else other than english before so its not just be alliecat, I cant see that the odd word to a fellow native speaker is a problem and no doubt it is welcoming to those whos first language isnt english, but whole responses are not really fitting in on an english speaking forum, others that don't speak the language cant follow and you have 30+ posts already you are not that new that you cant understand that they all speak english on here

Peace Peace Peace

Lets keep the language to English, unless and untill someone wants to learn some specific language !!!

+1 saimans

Peace people!
Let's avoid unnecessary off-topic arguments please.

@Maria: Could you please post in the right language according to the part of the site?

Thanks
Armand

Louise.Welge wrote:

mariaisabeldonoso wrote:

Alliecat..several  time you are telling me what to do, are you the manager of the Expa.blog?..this is my first time I wrote in Spanish, the lady Patsystone is new member  here only I tried to gave her a nice welcomea ang same advice.
I have respect but dont you  forget that I am new member also.
That is all
Maria

I have seen you write in spanish or at least something else other than english before so its not just be alliecat, I cant see that the odd word to a fellow native speaker is a problem and no doubt it is welcoming to those whos first language isnt english, but whole responses are not really fitting in on an english speaking forum, others that don't speak the language cant follow and you have 30+ posts already you are not that new that you cant understand that they all speak english on here

Thanks, Louise.  Yes, she has done this 3 or 4 times and this last response was an entire paragraph.  I keep referring her to the spanish language section but she chooses to ignore it, just wants to do whatever she wants to do (and you're right about not being all that new anymore--I mean, how long can one claim ignorance? ) 

The Arab members aren't here speaking Arabic; the Indian members aren't here speaking Hindi; etc. etc.  It's the same for Spanish members, Marie.  May I again suggest the Spanish section if you feel more comfortable writing in Spanish?

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=2416

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.

So lets not digress from the topic and dont stretch it further....

Its no fun reading such stuff !!!

saimans wrote:

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.

So lets not digress from the topic and dont stretch it further....

Its no fun reading such stuff !!!

yeah, okay Mahatma   How about helping us make her understand then, that English is in the English section and Spanish is in the Spanish section?

Thank you so much for your kind understanding

Alliecat wrote:

saimans wrote:

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.

So lets not digress from the topic and dont stretch it further....

Its no fun reading such stuff !!!

yeah, okay Mahatma   How about helping us make her understand then, that English is in the English section and Spanish is in the Spanish section?

Thank you so much for your kind understanding

lol Mahatma !!! I think by now she might have understood and you being among the senior members wud agree with me !!!

And i think that we can now concentrate on the initial topic !

Thanks
Armand

Not a great start for a newcomer.......
Sorry I caused a little unrest.

This is absolutely not your fault Patsystone and everything is ok now

Regards
Armand

Patsystone wrote:

Not a great start for a newcomer.......
Sorry I caused a little unrest.

Oh my gosh NO!

Little squabbles break out from time to time but they keep things interesting!  Better than sitting around singing Kumbayah and engaging in group hugs

So now, have you any specific questions?  If you want to discuss privately, feel free to PM me

Hi everyone,

Peace & love ladies and gentlemen...
Iam  first time user of this Expat.com. I, since my husband has been offered a job in Riyadh (will be living in AL Hamra compound and kids will go to the BISR) Iam in a roller coster of feelings and emotions. One day iam so happy to go to some sunshine and of course run away from the recession sharp teeth, the other day, Iam like; noway, not where everything is going to be different for the kids...my concern is not myslef at all. I speak 5 languages one of them is Arabic, and I can manage to stay at home and carry on doing my freelance translations if no job shows up. Iam worried mainly about my boy, he is 11 and will be starting secondary school in Sptember, he is so happy here in London, have loads of friends (he made them since 3 years we lived here). we did move a lot as a family, Dubai, Spain , London & now Riyadh...how bad or good can that be? I have a daughter she is 8, not too worried about her as I lived in Dubai and know so well how women are safe in those counries. My worry is will a boy that age be happy, will he have a social life still and could he be safe enough. Would he be ok moving again at this age? Iam so worried the move will be wrong for him...anyone out there with some boys around mine age ? please please, have pitty on my constant ups & downs emotional state and give me some hints ot feed back....much much much appreciated...huggssss Dija

Until now I was willing to sit on the sidelines and enjoy the back and forth.  Now you gone too far.  What is wrong with singing Kumbayah and engaging in group hugs?  Personally I miss the group hugs at the Chicken Ranch.  Thank God (Allah for our Muslim friends) I live in Jeddah where group hugs have yet to be banned.  Thank you very much for listening.
Now a translation for our Spanish Speaking listeners:
Hasta ahora estava dispuesto a sentarme para al lado y reirme de las bobadas que estavan diciendo.  Que tiene de mal un abrazo de grupo y un cantico de Kumbaya.  Personalmente estrano los abrazos de grupo de el Ranchite de las Gallinas. Gracia a Dios (Allah para nuestros amigos Musulmanes) yo vivo en Jeddah donde no an reprimido loa abrazos de grupo.  Muchas gracias por escucharme.
Sorry to our Indian listeners as I cannot translate to Hindi and the same goes to any other language.

Bye You All.   As I say Happy as a pig in a mud puddle but pigs are banned and all the mud puddles are dry.  I ain't translating no more.....

Alon Injed wrote:

Personally I miss the group hugs at the Chicken Ranch.

Wasn't the chicken ranch a legalized brothel in Nevada?



PS. By translating, you kind of missed the point... or was that your point? lol

Alliecat wrote:

Alon Injed wrote:

Personally I miss the group hugs at the Chicken Ranch.

Wasn't the chicken ranch a legalized brothel in Nevada?



PS. By translating, you kind of missed the point... or was that your point? lol

Touche my wonderful Alleycat. 
Texas I believe.  Burt and Miss Dolly "Best Little Whore House in Texas" made it famous.  A true story of a few happy Texas A&M football players celebrating their victory over the University Texas blown out of proportion by "Marvin Zindler Eyewitness News". I think that was his real name as he never just said Marvin Zindler.   I went to the premier of the play in Houston, Texas a few years later the movie came out.   The reporter Marvin , you know the rest, was played by Dom DeLuise in the movie.   Anyone need a translation?
A big Hug to you Alleycat.  I will defer the Kumbaya for another time.   Have a great weekend.

Alon Injed wrote:

Alliecat wrote:

Alon Injed wrote:

Personally I miss the group hugs at the Chicken Ranch.

Wasn't the chicken ranch a legalized brothel in Nevada?



PS. By translating, you kind of missed the point... or was that your point? lol

Touche my wonderful Alleycat. 
Texas I believe.  Burt and Miss Dolly "Best Little Whore House in Texas" made it famous.  A true story of a few happy Texas A&M football players celebrating their victory over the University Texas blown out of proportion by "Marvin Zindler Eyewitness News". I think that was his real name as he never just said Marvin Zindler.   I went to the premier of the play in Houston, Texas a few years later the movie came out.   The reporter Marvin , you know the rest, was played by Dom DeLuise in the movie.   Anyone need a translation?
A big Hug to you Alleycat.  I will defer the Kumbaya for another time.   Have a great weekend.

Sorry it was illegal in Texas but the local Sherrif had an on going thing with one of the ladies and in Texas that is just like being legal.

I feel so bad.  I was the director of a design firm and had an office in Riyadh.  I spent two to three days each week in Riyadh.  I never got a chance to meet any of you wonderful people.  What a shame we could have had so much fun.  Think of all the discussions we could have initiated over a cup of Coffee.  Instead I walked alone from the Mena Hotel to Thalia Street at least 150 times in the evenings.

Google Translate has been around for ages. Why all this fuss about languages. I speak in any language with my Bridge partners online whenever anything pother than English pops up using Google. Works well for me. All you need is to open it in another window and copy and paste the language text.

@Patsystone I believe the RMH is a great place to work for expats from what I have seen and known through the years. Used to have many Irish/Filipino friends there sometime back and visited often but not anymore. Come to the sands and warm your feet for a few years and I am sure you will not regret.

Riyadh is not bad at all. I have been here for two months and I am still having fun.

You need a good employer and good friends and you will be fine.

Katelol wrote:

Riyadh is not bad at all. I have been here for two months and I am still having fun.

You need a good employer and good friends and you will be fine.

Somewhat agree with you !!!

If it was bad,I wouldn't be here.