A gringo in limbo

Since I’ve landed I’ve noticed that things aren’t always as they seem in Saudi Arabia. No, I haven’t unravelled a burka to find a six inch surprise (thank god), I’m talking about the disorganised nature of the Saudi people, or maybe it’s just my employers – they make the coconut vendors in Brazil seem like the CIA. First of all, I’d just like to say, on record, that they’ve been very helpful, and answered any questions I’ve had, and I have been reliably informed by other teachers that they always pay on time and pay well. Regarding my impending transfer from Riyadh to Al Jouf, however, plans seem to change on an almost hourly basis. 

After paying through the teeth and lugging myself up to Leeds to have a medical before I flew out, I expected that to be that in terms of health examinations. How wrong could I have been? Osama picked us up from the hotel yesterday and took us to Pearly Smile clinic (who came up with that name?!) to have a blood, urine and stool sample taken. Yes you did read the last part of that sentence correctly. I won’t go into detail but let’s just say my collection technique was flawed and it’s an episode I really hope I forget in the near future. 

We were then told the five of us (Jeremy, Carlos, Darren, Carlton and I) would have to be driven from Riyadh to Al Jouf because we couldn’t get a flight. That’s a 10 hour drive, and a 20 hour round trip for the long-suffering Osama. We had just about accepted this when a beaming Osama greeted us later that evening with the bombshell that Jeremy and I needed to pack our bags and be downstairs in 15 minutes, as we were flying business class to Al Jouf that night. After being told we “definitely had a seat” when we first arrived at check-in, our hopes were dashed when, half an hour before take-off, they said the plane was full. 

Any slight disappointment I may have had about the delay in getting to Al Jouf (I look forward to unpacking properly and settling in), was soon forgotten as Osama said our new departure date would be Thursday the 17^th, meaning we’ll have 4 more days sitting by the hotel pool in the sun relaxing, whilst still getting paid. This also means we’ll be arriving at the start of the weekend. For anyone who doesn’t know, the working week in Saudi Arabia (as well as the majority of the Middle East) runs from Saturday to Wednesday. Having the opportunity to get used to the compound and meet my neighbours will be much appreciated before I start work next Saturday. That is, of course, if my plans don’t get changed again. Inshallah they won’t, and if they do, I’ll keep reminding myself to be pragmatic and remember the primary reason I’m here…

"La ilaha illa Allah, ha la ili, hay yo"