"Al Khubar 31952, Eastern Province SAUDI... " a Al Khubar Travel Page by shelnlin

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.