Introduction

Welcome on board Expat.com and Riyadh, blumartin

Thanks Fee. Not really sure what to say on these types of thing and there are not many responses so maybe I didn't hit the right tone! I will be able to find places to do these things in Riyadh, won't I? And people do do them with?!

Thanks,

Martin

Hi Blumartin,

Welcome to the blog! 

Actually most of your sports/recreation questions have already been answered. What you need to do is comb through the topics (lots of times the topic subject lines are 'hellos' like yours, from males--who then ask similiar questions to yours.

Good luck!

Hi Allie,

You are right and I did do that. Having heard/read that Riyadh can be a rather lonely place at the beginning I was more hopeful of picking up one or two contacts who might be interested in doing those kinds of thing. I guess, for example, that there will be other teachers starting at that time, or other people like me who are looking to make a start at networking to avoid the 'lonely' first days.

The info on here is great and much appreciated (hence me posting in the first place) but I didn't want to hijack the good info on other threads for my own attempt at introducing myself/socialising/meeting people. Hope that makes sense.

Oh, and by the way, good post about being asked for 'free' English lessons. This happens to me all the time as well! It seems that teaching is the only 'profession' not recognised as having start/finish times.

Hey blumartin,

We're a friendly group and will welcome you with open arms.. well, not the women, cause we'd be arrested (a little Saudi humor here  ).

Between your new colleagues and the people on this forum, you'll be fine

But if Nonz greets you with open arms beware the talons. That Eagle keeps them sharp and I carry the scars.

I have been here 18 months. Apart from meeting fellow bloggers I do not have much time due to shifts to do anything other than go swimming or to the gym on my compound.
People will let you know if they can support you. When you get here I can pick you up on my Thursday morning shopping trip and take you around the sights of Riyadh. .
Just give me a PM when you get here.

Dave

jillndave wrote:

] When you get here I can pick you up on my Thursday morning shopping trip and take you around the sights of Riyadh.

HEY!!   Take me and nonzie with you! I never did get to see the sights of Riyadh

from the new friendly guy who said his name is bluemartin wrote:

-Racquet sports (I am not very good but I can hit the ball level)
-Snooker (highest break is 28, so that should tell you everything about the level)
-Golf (I have never played on a full size course, but I can hit the ball)
- Football (I was better when I was fitter)
- Gym (to help with football and walking up stairs without dying, that kind of thing)
- Martial arts (I did Judo and boxing as a kid but nothing since - I am 30 - and would like to do something)
- Theatre/drama
- Learn Arabic (well, at least the basics so I don't appear rude)
- Learn Russian
- Travel

Minus the Theater/Drama & russian, you can get all of the above here.. I can hook you up with people who play soccer, but only outside compound walls, it depends on you.

oh yeah, Welcome to the Kingdom in September (God Willing) .
I wouldn't pass up daves offer if I was you

now about the russian language, I became interested in learning it after listening to a folk song "Oy, to ne vecher". heres the link's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KoNUYLBnX8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8NHBxJL4D4

if possible I'd like to join your quest. I love gathering languages: I speak arabic english and urdu, and Im trying to learn Japanese and French. starting Russian is on my to do list. (I think my language collection is on my profile

anyway, nice to have you onboard, see ya around.

Salman

Sorry about the delay... I've been trying to sort out all of the paperwork and things, which is so much fun. :-)

Thanks for the great replies. Dave, that is a great offer and I will definitely give you a shout when I arrive if that's ok. Arriving in a new place is always quite strange, especially not knowing the language.

Salman, that is also very kind. My girlfriend is Russian so I NEED to learn it... I am sure we can try to work something out when I arrive. Also, she said this is a better version of the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYIfgjFH2ao

Hope all is well.

Martin

Hi Martin!!

Welcome in Saudi Arabia!! hope u will enjoy here.
Please feel free if you need any help once you arrive.
we are here to help you.

Hi Martin,

welcome to KSA. I really dont know anything yet in KSA but let me know if you need any assistance.

I shall be meeting few expats on 26th August.

Dave - I have never done sight seeing of Riyadh am i invited too?

Anil

The sightseeing in Riyadh.

Not even done it myself yet.

I haven't even done every Mall yet. I have my favourite 6 that I use in roatation so that I don't get bored.

See you soon.

Dave

Well, it seems so long since I posted my introduction but after waiting for a couple of months for the visa process I have finally arrived in Riyadh. My first week is just finishing and things are going well.

I hope that people are doing well and having fun. I have managed to see a little bit of Riyadh (well, I know roughly where I work but even taxi drivers seem to struggle with where I live).

Thanks to those who contacted me and gave me advice about coming out here. Hope to catch up with some of you soon. The only really bad things I have noticed so far is that everything is so spread out and it is quite difficult to meet people so if anybody would like to catch up/do fun stuff, let me know.

Welcome to the Kingdom Finally

I just finished from the most hectic work schedule I ever had in my life. I literally had to sleep at work for three days in a row.  anyway. call me up if you ever feel like it.

Salman

PS:

Thanks for the link.

Welcome to the Kingdom again Blumartin.

Just keep participating something is sure to come up.

Enjoy your second week because it does get better.

Salman Omrani wrote:

Welcome to the Kingdom Finally

I just finished from the most hectic work schedule I ever had in my life. I literally had to sleep at work for three days in a row.  anyway. call me up if you ever feel like it.

YAY...our animator had gone missing but now he's returned (and has a backlog of questions to answer )

Welcome to Riyadh, blumartin.  It's going to be a whirlwind for the first couple weeks (I was so jetlagged coming from the States that I don't  even remember the first two weeks lol).

welcome bluemartin, the song is beautiful although the words are all Greek to me. Have a blast in the sands

Welcome to the forum, I also have now been here two weeks and it has been a bit of a whirlwind time.

I have been taking it slowly at the weekends because I think that if I started getting into a lot of activities at the moment I would crash and burn

So past couple of weekends have been spent lying by the pool and swimming. Nearly forgot the tea party

weve been doing the same for 3 decades

Maserman, that T-party is a sore point

blumartin wrote:

Well, it seems so long since I posted my introduction but after waiting for a couple of months for the visa process I have finally arrived in Riyadh. My first week is just finishing and things are going well.

I hope that people are doing well and having fun. I have managed to see a little bit of Riyadh (well, I know roughly where I work but even taxi drivers seem to struggle with where I live).

Thanks to those who contacted me and gave me advice about coming out here. Hope to catch up with some of you soon. The only really bad things I have noticed so far is that everything is so spread out and it is quite difficult to meet people so if anybody would like to catch up/do fun stuff, let me know.

Hi and Welcome to Riyadh - I hope your first few weeks will be good to you and not overwhelming.  We have all been there, so no apologies needed for asking for engagement, it will keep your sanity in check.  We are on Compound here and if you want some company you are more than welcome to join a few of us so you can get networking and we can fill you in with some things to do and where to go etc.  Just PM when your ready.

Sparrow wrote:

Maserman, that T-party is a sore point

Wow the T party really hit a nerve! Apologies for the lack of invites, what can I say? The mail service here is not what is used to be!

Maybe we can all hitch a ride on jillndave's sightseeing tour bus and I'll bring a thermos of tea???

blumartin wrote:

I watch football, although I don't support a media-friendly team.

Hey Martin,

Hmmm intersting... Judging by the fact that you're listed as from London, I'd hazzard a guess that you're a fellow Man Yoo fan!

Glad to hear your first week has gone smoothly! I have high hopes for my time in the Kingdom.... once I get out there! Just in the final stages of the visa process. I'll give you a shout when I arrive as i'm sure there'll be a few of us that fancy kicking a pigskin about!

Enjoy your weekend pal

Welcome BlueMartin!

Im sure you will get your legs and join in the fun here on the forum and out in the City.  Its a wonderful place be if you can deal with the differences.

Wow! As I don't have my own internet yet I can't check too regularly, so to come back to so many responses was a rather pleasant surprise. Thanks!

I was living in London but am originally from Merseyside - for the footy fans, the blue half, so it looks like my escape is at about the right time. Anybody interested in watching or playing (or doing anything else fun for that matter) please feel free to PM me, although my schedule is mainly evening work here, so we'll have to see how badly that affects my social life.

Anyway, I hope you are all well and having fun. I've been looking around for internet here and it seems expensive, so if anybody has seen any good deals please let me know.

Thanks,

Martin

Hi,

What seems to be the best choice is the wifi unit from Mobily that does not require a telephone line.

Internet is is dearer here than UK but it is a small price to pay to keep in touch

Nice to have met you at last evenings BBQ, blumartin