Riyadh Hotel Tips by atufft

My teaching contract provided housing and utilities, and though we weren't given the delux housing engineers often had outside of town, we couldn't complain. We had a large two bedroom apartment on the 8th floor of a building that had security and designated parking. The building was located in the wealthiest part of town, and so we had ample access to shopping and the amenties of urban life without having to drive so far. We had a swimming pool, but I didn't use it much as the weather is actually too hot to swim, except in winter. In the following images, you will note a rather large living room, that was furnished by the employer, but with few decorative aspects about it. We were afterall staying for just two years, and never really considered this home. The kitchen was very large, and we had two bathrooms, one for ourselves and one for guests. Living in Riyadh means adapting in strange ways. We found the cold water too hot, as it came from a storage tank that was filled periodically from a tanker truck. So, we turned off the water heater and used it as a cold water storage. The apartment had plenty of A/C so the hot water tank made the water cooler. Then, we turned the cold water tap for hot water, and the hot water tap for cold water! We also had a balconey, which provided a great place to dry clothes. In the Saudi climate, clothes dry very fast outside.

Unique Qualities: The 2 bedroom apartment was furnished with a king sized bed in one room, and two twin beds in the other room. We didn't have children, so the second room was mostly storage. There were many other American and British couples living in our buildings, so we visited and had party's many times. I made bootleg rum in a special process, described in the things to do tip, and mixed it with Pepsi for such party's. But, we also had shared friendship with the Venezuelan Ambassador's family that lived in a nearby neighborhood. They had a large house and pool, and as Venezuelan's do, had frequent parties for everyone. The Ambassador was kind enough to keep us well stocked in Gin that was imported through a diplomatic approved container shared between the Spanish and other Latin American Embassies by agreement. The apartment faced the west, and we were lucky not to have the prayer call loudspeaker directly on our side of the building. Rather, we viewed across the western edge of the city. After the Saud's won an opportunity to participate in the World Cup Soccer, the street below became filled with wild fans. We felt save in this building because it was mixed Saudi and Expatriate housing. Occasionally, we were invited to the apartment of our Saudi hosts for tea and dates. Today, the building may view another building as at the time of our departure, another highrise was under construction across the street.

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It seems like every year a more extravagant place with fancy swimming pools, tennis courts, and so on opens up outside of town. What these compounds share in common is a walled envirnoment with security entrance gate manned by Saudi guards and lots of little condo like homes. The location of these compounds are pretty remote from the action of the Olaya District though, and so wives must either have a regular car and driver, or share one with another family. For expat children below high school living in Saudi Arabia, this is probably the better living quarters, as the compounds and apartments within the city may be pretty confining. For high school students and above, the Olaya district is safe enough for students to board the buses and taxis with expat and Saudi friends, to get around the city and appreciate the urban life. The compounds outside of town are like little villages, often with a central concession for household products sold at very high prices. To make up for the relative boredom, the compounds sponsor various festivals and flea market days. Expats from outside the compounds are allowed to visit, and the curious lack of clothing among the expat women during the warm days seems to represent a rebellion against the abaya and cover-up look required outside the compound. As shown in the images here, the streets may be carpeted and Saudis are invited to come and sell there cultural wares and activities. Masalama parties are typical flea markets of the late spring when many are packing up to move from the country. This becomes a time for bargain hunters to obtain household furnishings and other such stuff at going out of business prices.

Unique Qualities: Bear in mind that if the employer doesn't sponsor the living quarters here, the costs will be much higher than an apartment in the Olaya district, and as noted before, I'm not sure that the compounds are really safer nor more entertaining for adults. For women who can't find cause to blend in with Saudi women, then the compounds may be a requirement. Also, for those bringing larger outdoor dogs, I can't see how anything but a compound living can suffice.

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