I came to Libya in December 2009, I wasn't sure what to expect. Initially I was pleasantly surprised with the country and people, and very disappointed with the company I was employed by. The disappointment with my company is still with me, the working conditions are terrible, filthy offices, sewage flowing in the toilets, cockroaches scurrying everywhere and a general lack of any form of hygiene.
Staying with the negative for the time being, the driving conditions are the worst I have ever seen, the attitude seems to be a mix of formula 1 and Inshallah !!!.
Now the plus points. The people by and large are very friendly, especially when they find out I am Scottish, my wife gets very little hassle, and none at all when I am with her, with one exception which was very quickly rectified.
The local food (when you can find it) is some of the best I have ever eaten.
The weather is a plus point (last winter was MUCH better), and the cost of living is next to nothing.
My work colleagues are great, the pace of life is so slow, and even for a lazy sod like me it can get quite frustrating that things either take so long to get done, or don't end up getting done at all.
Over all marks out of 10, I would give it a 5.
