Odds & ends

Gee, where to begin...

Today is March 6th already, been almost 3 months here in the wilds of Jeddah. The company still has not provided me the tools to do my job so I'm using my own computer and advanced CAD/FEA software. Still don't have my security clearance, not even interim (which, according to the job description, is required.) You may well ask why I use my personal property to do my job? It's because I don't like being set up to fail and I will do (almost) anything to get the job done. Other than that, I'll keep pushing. On a good note, they did finally get me a printer at work.

Driving is still crazy. Over here they seem to close roads randomly for "construction" and rarely offer detours and absolutely zero notice. The good thing is that I'm learning my way around and can find work-arounds and shortcuts. Did I mention that occasionally the cops block the U-turns on the main road so you'd have to head about 2 miles south just to find a way to head north? And there are still many drivers who think they are playing Pac-Man - easily identified by their driving to 'gobble up' the dots on the roads - either that or their AI driving program is set to follow the dotted line instead of staying between two of them. I wish I had a go-pro to video my usual drive, it would be excellent to show for driver's training on what not to do.

Found a new (to me) and bigger grocery store that is easy to get to after work and then a relatively quick & easy drive to HafH. As usual though, I still cannot fathom the thought process behind the product placement and aisles. For some unknown reason, condiments are placed over the frozen food (low not upright) locations, far away from seasonings and spices. Cashews & pistachios are placed with beans, jar of dry-roast peanuts with snacks, both no where near all the other types of nuts. I was finally able to find a soap dish, $2.13, for the bathtub (the store is kind of a bigger Meijers, both groceries and everything else.) 

Had a bit of a rain storm with a lot of wind the other day. Quite the storm surge across both lanes on the Corniche. Traffic headed south was backed way up with water halfway up to the rocker panels on the cars. Usually there is almost no traffic on this road which is why I like to take this one home. Most people avoid this since there are pedestrian crossings which are rather massive speed bumps and you really have to slow down or risk tearing out the suspension. Peaceful and scenic drive after a long (relatively) day at work with the bonus that it avoids most of the traffic jams.

I don't think I've described much about my work day schedule. Basically I have to punch in (finger print scan) before 7:00 a.m. The Saudi staff slide in by 7:30 a.m. or so. Then we all have breakfast together in the 'buffet' room, just a mini kitchen area. Someone brings in typical Saudi food and other times my company co-worker brings Subway or McDonald's. Micky D's has a really good breakfast thingy here that consists of a fried/scrambled egg, a hash brown and what passes for sausage wrapped in a flat bread (not gyro/pita/tortilla). Put some hot sauce on that and nom-nom. (Ahmed, my office mate, told me that I'm the first American he has known that likes the local hot sauce on stuff.) Then we 'start' work about 8:15-8:30. Things come to a halt all over again at prayer time for about 20 minutes or so about mid day. Then at about 1:45 p.m. all the Saudis leave and I punch out at/after 2:00 p.m. for the fun drive back to the compound. Sounds easy doesn't it? However, please remember that I am still basically in a prison with walls all around and barbed wire all up the outside and a long security entrance to check vehicles, etc. just to get in. Kind of a country club prison but secured none the less.

*Warning* (skip this paragraph if you don't like sensitive topics)
I saw something the other day which was rather disturbing but is most likely not all that uncommon here in KSA. I was parked at a light and happened to look to my left at the row of parked cars along the other lane. Here's this big Saudi man (yes, it is simple to distinguish between men and women here b/c of how they dress) who had some sort of stick about 2-3' long and he was hitting a much smaller woman who was in the back seat of the SUV. Not just once but several times. Light changed and I drove along, you do not interfere in 'family matters' wherever they happen here. Unfortunately I have seen similar if not as violent behavior in the U.S. in stores and even once at a county clerk's office. It seems that human nature can be the same everywhere.

I'll sign off for now and try to update on a more regular basis.