From Tennessee To Texas to Saudi Arabia

I’m getting closer to obtaining my Iqama. There was an issue with the government being notified that I was covered under my company’s insurance plan, but that was updated on Thursday. So, Iqama on Sunday or Monday, inshallah. Also my first paycheck, inshallah. It’s not been a big issue waiting for that, since many who came before advised me how much I would need and I’ve done well with what I brought. But a few of the guys that arrived 2 or 3 weeks before me and missed the last paycheck cycle are really ready. The expat group as a whole is very good about helping out, so no one faces any major issues. The hardest part for these guys are waiting for their Iqama so they can set up a bank account to send money back home. The Venezuelan mafia have explained the situation back home, and it sounds extremely difficult. Some are working on moving families over, but are trying to provide for them in the meantime.

The basketball skills are approaching non-farcical after spending a few days out on the court. It varies from night to night whether we are playing 3-on-3 or just socializing around a basketball hoop. I’ve yet to play with the Filipinos who provide the maintenance to the compound, but I’ve been told it gets pretty serious. Some of those guys reportedly run circles around us, doing so in sandals. The game in general is a little more slow motion. The light coating of sand on the court make quick moves impossible. That’s my excuse.

We usually meet at the court around 7:15. The past two nights, the temperature at that time was still 104.

Court

Moonrise

I’ve run into the first real hardship while living here. Shoes. I checked 3 stores and found one pair of running shoes. I’ve learned not to go into a shoe store and pick out a shoe, then ask for a size 48 (EU). I go in and ask for a type of shoe in size 48, get “Oh, that American size, nothing over 46” or I get to see the 2 styles they have in 47 or above.

The ride between the malls and Arabian Homes (from Yanbu Al Sinaiyah to Yanbu Al Bahr).

Hot temperatures plus heavy trucks equal deep ruts

This is coming into the outskirts of Yanbu Al Bahr from the Royal Commission, ending right before turning into out compound.

I’ve also had question about the call to prayer. This is from the mosque at work. I usually hear the ~4 p.m. call as I go to catch the bus back home. Then depending on what I’m doing, I also hear it from the mosques outside the compound for the evening prayers.

Only a couple of foods to add to the list, and nothing real new or exciting. The dates here are amazing, and the selection is unreal. I’ve decided to become a date snob and try every type. This is going to take awhile, since they are not the healthiest of fruits. The date stand at the supermarket has 8-10 varieties and is the size of a VW bus. I’m looking forward to finding stands downtown selling dates. The second was shami bread, directly out of the oven. It’s a pita type bread that is used for everything.

Safawi and Sagai dates

Shami Bread

It’s been a little warm this week. My new temporary office had been shut up for awhile, so it was quite cold when I first opened the door. Outside temp to office temp – 45 to 16 C (115 to 60 F)