"Al Khubar 31952, Eastern Province SAUDI ARABIA" Top 5 Page for this destination Al Khubar by shelnlin

Al Khubar Travel Guide: 67 reviews and 149 photos

AL KHOBAR- MY SAUDI HOME

Al Khobar has been my home for the last year. Coming from New Zealand to here is a shock to anyone's system especially if you are used to doing things for yourself, going out with whoever you like, having a drink now and then, catching a movie or going out to a show. It just doesn't exist out here.

My first six months out here was pretty non existent, I hardly knew a soul apart from my husband's workmates and one friend who I had made who worked at the local Jarir bookshop. I found the place to be lonely and very much cut off from the rest of the world. I saw the local woman completely blacked out in an outfit called an Abbaya (which I too had to wear but at least I didn't have to cover my face!) and I saw men in White long shirts called thobes and funny teatowel like headresses! I really felt I was stuck in a timewarp or was walking into a modern day version of Lawerence of Arabia and being a Westerner I certainly got a lot of looks. But eventually I settled into the place and made some friends, I am much happier than what I was a year ago. I find this place quite 'peaceful' despite the recent bombings in Riyadh and feel somewhat safe knowing that I could leave my front door open if I wanted to. I go out and I shop more than I usually would (Shopping is perhaps the biggest hobby out here). I go out with friends and often spend time with them. I have to be careful and are always aware of the Muttawas (Religious police). I wear the Abbaya without dread and will miss chucking it on each day when I eventually leave... it's a little black number that can hide a multitude of sins... no I don't think I can see it on next years Paris catwalk somehow! I am grateful for all my friendships that I have made, I have meet a sea of nationalites from Egypt, Yemen, Syria, UK, South Africa, Jordan, and Canada, Australia, India ,Pakistan, even a few from Saudi itself. I have learnt to speak a little bit of the language. I teach English and I have fun doing it and I think that when it is time to go I will miss the Messiah's Salla (Call to prayer) in the early hours of the morning and four times a day after that. It's not all that bad, just have plenty of good friends, a multiple Visa to Bahrain, and plenty of books... oh and a ton of patience.

"By the time we are, in our superior wisdom, decided to make a start, we discover that those who have gone fearlessly on before, have, in their blundering way, traveled a considerable distance. If you start now, you will know a lot next year that you don't know now, and that you will not know next year, if you wait" - The William Feather Magazine.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Shopping, The People, A change from the Norm, Sunny almost 95% of the time,
Cons:Prayer times, Crazy drivers, The heat, Muttawas,
In a nutshell:More than just a place in the Desert

Last visit to Al Khubar: May 2004
Intro Updated Mar 15, 2006
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Reviews (11)

Language to help you get by.... - Al Khubar

Language to help you get by.... Local Customs (3)

Arabic is the official language in Saudi Arabia and to help the newcomer get by, it is great if you know a little bit of... more travel advice

My place in Khobar Hotels (1)

I lived in the Al Dorra Suites for the duration of my stay in Saudi Arabia. This was my home and was home to various... more travel advice

Heritage Village- Dammam (Me) - Al Khubar

A Muesum with flavour Restaurants (2)

Heritage Village is a unique and wonderful restaurant if you want to really feel the full Saudi Arabian atmosphere. This... more travel advice

Inshallah - A common word you will hear... Local Customs (3)

Inshallah- literally means "If God wills (it)" in Arabic. This common word will be heard all around you when you come to... more travel advice

Nightlife (1)
Spending time with your friends
Transportation (1)
Khobar Taxis
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Travelogues (1)

Written Mar 15, 2006

2 photos

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Comments (25)

karimhamed Apr 25, 2009 at 3:15 AM Report Abuse

Dear Shelnlin, Thank you very much for information about Dorra suites. I wanted to ask you, do you have any idea about the annual rates of 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms furnished apartments ?? Thanks in advance for your help.
Kathyobrient Oct 20, 2008 at 8:32 AM Report Abuse

Oh how much this makes sense to me now I'm here at last ! I'm making more of your posts as they are pretty spot on. Kathy
Shobaki Mar 1, 2008 at 8:15 AM Report Abuse

Hi shelnlin , I visited last weekend it !! Waw , its very cool palce , I Like it ! Shokran for your suggestion
adeeltahir May 9, 2007 at 6:27 AM Report Abuse

I really enjoyed the information on the page. I also have spent 7 Ramadan days in Saudi Arab. Your arabic words with translation are very fascinating. I really enjoyed. Have a nice day.
Marcin75 Feb 21, 2007 at 8:57 AM Report Abuse

Very interesting and informative.
drn305 Nov 14, 2006 at 5:19 PM Report Abuse

hi your comments on this desert town is fantastic and very interesting. I am new here too working for aramco and looking forward for more pages from you cheers david
BluBluBlu Aug 16, 2006 at 2:21 AM Report Abuse

Excellent insight into a totally different culture to my own! Well written, interesting & entertaining! Blu
pepples46 Aug 13, 2006 at 10:26 PM Report Abuse

interesting place and page. would like to have some of the warmth right now, for a while anyway :-)but I feel warned .. thanx for the good read
Manyana May 6, 2006 at 2:31 AM Report Abuse

buenos dias darling shelly...haven´t heard from you in a while...wishing you´re doing great....salam to you from spain, oh that is ´´paz´´ in espanol,lol
tarri Feb 19, 2006 at 6:22 AM Report Abuse

Hi Shelnlin thank you for the excellent pages, your writing is helpful and is greatly appreciated. Abe