The next 4 days would be spent in the Cotswolds AONB (Area of Natural Beauty). We had picked out a cottage in Chalford, situated close to the middle of the places we wanted to visit while we were there. I had decided to rent a car, thinking I could handle anything after driving in Saudi … More Cotswolds
We left out of Yanbu at 2 a.m. on Saturday. We hoped to get some sleep, but the flight from Yanbu to Istanbul was so cramped that we couldn’t get comfortable. We did a little better on the flight from Istanbul to London. The old people, I mean. The kids slept hard both legs of … More London Calling
Thanksgiving in Yanbu. It started out with a completely foreign feel. The kids, Greene and I would typically have the entire week off, so working and going to school up to and on Thanksgiving made it feel like any other week. I had ordered our new car on Monday of that week, and was told … More Rains, Grains and Automobiles
I spent yesterday making the trip to Jeddah to get my driver’s license. I could do it here in Yanbu, but when someone who speaks Arabic and got his license in Yanbu tells you to go to Jeddah, you listen. I’d had the trip rescheduled several times, since it’s best to go with someone who’s … More License to Chill
My 4 month anniversary is quickly approaching, and the rest of the family has been here almost 2 months. There have been so many changes and adaptations in this short time. Driving is getting easier. Many things that would greatly offend me and send me over the edge in the States now simply elicit … More Ch-ch-ch-changes, Turn and Face the Strange
We’ve been here one day shy of 3 weeks now. It’s strange; it feels like the time has been longer than that. Thankfully, everyone seems to be settling in nicely and enjoying some slower days after the whirlwind journey of the last few months. One of the more exciting things that come with moving to … More Old Market Days are Every Day
The wife and kids boarded the plane one week ago today. She had some awesome friends helping her out. The process to get the family over was very smooth and has gone through without any issues. The Saudi Engineering Council membership makes things easy, and the MOI and MOFA processes being online made it painless. … More It’s Been One Week
Friday morning was my first trip out on my own. I started out by hooking up the iPod to the rental to have some tunes to cruise with. The first stop was to fill up the Hyundai with gas. The calculations are different, but there is only 91 and 95 octane over here. There is … More Move West Down King AbdulAziz Boulevard
The big day finally arrived on Sunday. I received my Iqama. I had 3 things to do immediately; cell phone, bank account and jazawat (passport office). One little hiccup. My last name in the Arabic translation was missing the t. This isn’t a big deal, except for the bank. Those guys will find any reason … More My Kingdom For a Horse
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 … More Lord I Was Born a Ramblin Man
From Tennessee To Texas to Saudi Arabia 