Clock Tower Souk

          A few of the personnel from work asked me to go downtown with them to the Deira souk.  (souk = is arabic for market). Most people call it the Clock Tower souk because there is a clock tower right near the large square. The tower is built in classic Saudi style. The square is known to Westerners as "Chop- Chop Square" because this is where public executions are held on Fridays.

 
          Most come to the Clock Tower area to shop for computer equipment or gold and diamond jewelry which is VERY inexpensive. This particular day, I was there to get a SIM card put in my Blackberry. Using my present cell phone company would be entirely too expensive here in Saudi Arabia ($4.99 a minute for phone calls, $.50 for outgoing text and $.15 for incoming texts)! With the Saudi SIM card, I would just buy minutes.

          The dollar here is call riyals. One (1) U.S. Dollar equals 3.75 Riyals SR). So, in this dusty climate, to have your car washed once a week is about SR 75 per month. That equates to $20 per month (75/3.75 = 20.00)!  So pretty much, here in Saudi, there is no need for the American Dollar (until you go home on leave), just Riyals that spend like Monopoly money!

          Most of the work here is done by men who are brought here from other countries (India, Philippines) just to work for the Saudi’s. They typically only get paid SR 600 ($159.00) a month!  The companies, who hire these men, get paid significantly more by the Saudi Government. So to supplement their salaries these men do extra jobs such as wash cars, clean your villa or keep your plants and sidewalks watered down from the sand storms. The men mail just about everything they make home to their families. When they eventually go home on vacation (sometimes, every 2 or 3 years) the offices take up a collection of money to offset the little salaries that they make to give to them before they go home. 

         I have since hired a man to clean my vehicle once a week. In the future, I will have him put in and maintain some plants in my enclosed yard. I really do not want anyone to clean for me. But if only I can find someone to cook a nutritious dinner for me at least 3-4 times a week! What can I say....you guys may not recognize me through my spoiledness when I return to the States!

Masaa Al Khair (Good Evening)

All the best,
GMarie

First Official Day of Work

          After the shopping trip and about two hours of sleep, today is my official first day on my new job. Like all new jobs, there is a check-in process. I checked in with everyone from Human Resources, Finance and even the Base Exchange (BX). I was issued a cell phone pre-loaded with all of the military and civilian personnel assigned to this military compound (impressive!), as well as important numbers that may be needed such as Security to report our checkpoints and numbers to the embassies in the area.

          I met so many folks in two days! The most memorable was Ms. Jean. She is the BX Manager. As soon as my sponsor introduced us, she instantly gave me a big hug and said "Welcome to the Kingdom!" Ms. Jean would definitely make a great candidate for the welcoming committee if they had one here! She asked me if I like Filipino food and that she would call me when she had prepared some for me to take home. She wasn't kidding. Recently, she brought me a whole fish stuffed with vegetables and rice and some vegetable lumpia. All I had to do was finish baking the fish and fry the lumpia. I can see myself getting very spoiled here!

          My last two stops were to talk to the Deputy Program Manager (DPM) who is a civilian and the Program Manager (PM) of the unit who is a Brigadier General.
Both are the husbands of the wives that took me shopping when I arrived, so they had some familiarity with me. They both relayed to me the mission and what part my position as a Analyst played in accomplishing it.

          I know there will be some challenges as well as obstacles in my new position. In a position where I will be acting as an advisor on acquisition matters to the Saudi's in a land where I am considered a "second class citizen" I am ready and up for the challenge.

All the best,
GMarie

Shopping in Riyadh

          I entered "The Kingdom" in the wee hours of the morning and with only a few hours of sleep, I met with the General's wife to go shopping. There were two other officer's wives who would be accompanying us on this road trip. One of the wives gave me a scarf as a welcome gift! It was absolutely beautiful! This would be my second time wearing the abaya since leaving the airport.

          We all waited in front of the General's quarters until the driver picked us up. There is a two-man rule for all personnel attached to this base. This is the compound where I live amongst other civilians and the military. It is against regulations to leave the compound alone. Women are not allowed to drive in Saudi, except for on the compound so a driver must always be summoned to go off the compound.

          Once the driver picked us up and before leaving the compound we notified security that we were leaving and informed them of our call signs so that we can be tracked at all times. At every departure point, we must call in and give our call signs and whereabouts.

          They decided to go to Panorama Mall, which is considered one of the most luxurious areas in Riyadh and the most happening place where everyone tends to hang out.  It is located at the intersection of Takhassusi & Tahliya road. Like every other mall, unaccompanied males are prohibited from entering. Males are allowed to enter only if accompanied with a female.

          We spent the afternoon there exploring several stores, sharing stories and had lunch. Lunch was a chicken dish called shawarma which is a sandwich-like wrap of shaved lamb, goat, chicken, turkey, beef, or a mixture. The meat is placed on a spit (a slender pointed rod for holding meat over a fire) and may be grilled for as long as a day). Shawarma is considered fast-food across the Middle East. It can be eaten with pita bread, tomato and cucumber then topped with hummus or pickled turnips.

          We also visited the local food chain supermarket called Danube Hypermarket. It reminded me of a super Walmart. It offered a wide variety of groceries, clothes, footwear, house wares, cosmetics, electronics and electrical products. The only difference between the Walmart and Danube was the packagings were in Arabic. I couldn't resist the aroma of the fresh bread that was baking in the ovens. I definitely had to take some home with me!

          On our trek back to the compound, I took a cat nap. The jet lag was definitely starting to take it’s affect on me.  The wives said I was a real trouper for staying awake and alert all day. Little did they know, my mind was on being in my bed the whole time while shopping!

All the best,
GMarie

My New Abode and Car

          I couldn't see much on the ride from the airport to my villa primary due to sleep depravation and it being quite dark outside.

          Upon reaching our destination, my sponsor handed me the keys to the villa and the car, a 2009 Chevy Lumina which only had 4,000 miles on it! Although, females are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, I was given a car to use to get around the compound.

          I smiled as we entered the villa. The accommodations were very spacious and emasculate! There are two bedrooms and two full baths totally furnished in cherry wood decor, a living room, dining room and full kitchen. The kitchen had everything required for a dinner party. My sponsor even went grocery shopping for healthy refrigerated, frozen and dry food items! I also had a gift bag from the welcoming committee that contained snacks, candy and drinks!

          By the time, my "tour" was over and questions were answered, It was about 3:30 am. My sponsor informed me that the General's wife wanted to take me shopping around 9:00 am but if I did not feel up to it, everyone would understand. He explained to me that the jet lag typically among most people lasts about two weeks and to let him know if I was affected at work. With all of that said, he left me to get acquainted with my new place.

          I was so exhausted from my trip, that all I could think to do was just take a hot shower and try to get some sleep. So I set my alarm so I could make it to my outing with the General's wife. For those of you who have been in the military, you know you don't miss any appointments when it concerns the General!

By the time I slid into the crisp bed sheet at 4:30 am it seems as though the alarm clock went off five minutes later!!, It's eight o'clock already!!

All the best,
GMarie

Arrival in Riyadh Saudi Arabia

          At 2:30 am, my flight arrived in "The Kingdom"! I put on my abaya and hijab right before the plane landed. My sponsor must have known that my plane had landed because he sent me an email welcoming me to "The Kingdom".

          The passengers and I debarked the plane in a single file. I totally forgot an important detail my sponsor informed me of which was to stay to the right before approaching the customs desk. So when I got on line right behind a male who was in front of me on the plane, the " needle scratched the record"! There was an awkward silence!! I immediately realized that I had gotten on the wrong line and was not where I was supposed to be as a female; all the way to the right with all of the others. With several dirty looks in my direction, I hurried to the right line.

          When it was my turn to approach the customs desk, I handed the officer my passport and visa then began to inform him that my sponsor was waiting for me pass the baggage area, he cut me off and told me to, "Go sit down!" I guess that was my punishment for forgetting my place as a women in the Kingdom!

          They say the duration of a child who is being chastised with "time-out" is based on age, so I figured 49 minutes in time-out would be way to long for a punishment. So after about 15 minutes, which much apprehension and my heart beating quickly, I approached the desk again. This time, I quickly told the officer that my sponsor sent me an email that he was waiting for me, that I work for the US Government and that I was on a Diplomatic visa. He gave me the once over, stamped my passport and sent me on my way.

          I tell you, after that ordeal, I was so happy to see my sponsor wave to me in the crowd telling me, "Welcome to the Kingdom!"

All the best,
GMarie

Istanbul Turkey

          I spent the last 12 hours in Istanbul Turkey! I left Orlando Florida 730am on September 25 and finally get to leave for Riyadh at 930pm on the 26th.

          When I departed the plane and entered the terminal, I sought out the Turkish Airline ticket booth to check on my flight to Riyadh. I was mobbed by three women, who appeared to be Turkish. They all were very intrigued by my sisterlocks. They were touching them and overwhelmed me with many questions about them. Once they were satisfied with the answered and verified what they had heard about sisterlocks, they went on their way.

          I found out that my flight to Riyadh was cancelled twice, so Turkish Air provided me with a hotel room and 2 meal vouchers. But later, I find out, for a price! What a fiasco with my luggage. I didn't know I had to get the bags from the Delta baggage claim and recheck them in for Turkish Air! I always do carry-ons. My stub had that they were to go all the way to Riyadh. It took Turkish Air 4 hrs to find the bags before finding them in the Lost and Found department! Trust me that was persistence on my part that I was not leaving without my bags...I had all day. The cost to ship...$541!!!

          I made a joke to some friends regarding the Tom Hanks movie, Terminal. In the last few hours, I was the cast and headliner in Terminal 2! Between the airport and the hotel, not only did I force the Turkish people to speak better English, but I think they loved and hated to see me go! There is only one incident that could have been an international one and that is when a boy about 12 years old took his gum out of his mouth and tried to hit me with it while I was sitting at the hotel waiting for the van to take me to the airport. He ran off. The hotel staff ran out to see which boy did it. Racial???? Somebody put a thought in that boy's head about something!

          Other than that and for the most part, the Turkish were very hospitable. Would I do a vacation there.....maybe not!

All the best,
GMarie

Last Night in Florida....Bittersweet

          The night before I depart for Saudi, I am reflecting on the last week; the hustle and bustle of wrapping up the last details of my trip, such as finalizing my will, shipping myself some items I am so sure I won't be able to get in Saudi and making and receiving those last minute phone calls and emails from and to Monet, Danny, Sue, Glen (you got me today...good!) , Robin, Kenneth, Ms. Lillie, Yvette, Lynn, Kirby, Laverne, Dad, and Tookie.

          Bruce and Florence,...I appreciate you and it was a pleasure meeting you! You set my mind at ease with the information you provided. I look forward to visiting you in South Africa. Thanks Robin for the connection!!

          Spiritually, I feel "complete" with all of the well wishes and of course, the promises to keep in touch. Thanks to you all for making my departure....well, easier.

All the best,
GMarie

A Network

September 23, 2011

I received the following in an email today. Subconsciously, I knew this but haven't quite had it spelled out in black and white like this. Thanks Susan, for sharing!

A network is all about people.  Therefore, the most important thing is to choose the right people for personal relationships or professional team building.  Why?
 
Negative people together:  They create problems and harm each other, or they make things worse because they spend energy fighting each other and focusing on the negative.
 
Positive and Negative people together:  They create frustration.  There is no progress because negative people drag positive people down.
 
Positive people together:  They create extraordinary things for real success.  They develop quality teamwork by respecting, understand, supporting and caring for each other.  They do their best so they break their own limitations.
 
Stupid people together:  They make nothing work.  They can only move backwards because they do stupid things all the time.
 
Intelligent and stupid people together:  They can improve nothing because intelligent people become babysitters for stupid people.
 
Intelligent and Positive people together:  They can do anything and everything.  Nothing is impossible.
 
 
***The term Stupid People has nothing to do with academic education.  Stupid means two things:  People who have the ability but are lazy, or people who stop learning to improve themselves.
 
Moral of the story:  Be positive and intelligent, and find positive and intelligent people. 

All the best,
GMarie
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

My Friendships

September 19, 2011

          Well, six days and I will be boarding a plane to Riyadh Saudi Arabia. With my time off, I have taken the opportunity to visit and spend time with my family and friends. I visited my daughter and her two girls and, “Friendship” and her children and “Grands” as well as Ms. Cynthia in California.  Each day was fun-filled; starting early and ending late. I know they were all ready to return to work so they could get some rest!

          Ms.LaVerne and Ms.Yvette both live in Florida so we spent time dancing the nights away at the Hard Rock Casino or some of the beach spots. But It was quite a surprise when the Smiths; Becky and Stan flew in from Ohio just to see me for the day! Now that was special!

          Lastly, the Browns; Sylvain and Lynn,  have been perfect hosts. Since leasing out my condo, they have provided a place for me to stay. Whether hanging out at the beach for the day or dancing to the reggae and soca beats, it is always lots of fun hanging out with the two of them.

          Thanks to everyone who took time out of their busy lives to spend some memorable moments with me before I leave the States. Much love and appreciation to all of you.

All the best,
G. Marie

 

Taking My Oath of Office

          Today I was instructed by my new office that I had to submit a Standard Form 61 which is an Appointment Affidavit. The affidavits attested to and provided the official appointment of an individual into the Federal service.  It is also used to administer the Oath of Office for Federal appointment.  This form must not be signed until after administration of the Oath of Office by either a Commissioned Officer of the United States Armed Forces, a Notary Public, or an official (U.S. Citizen) of the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center. 

          In this case, the administration was by a civilian in the Human Resources department. I was asked to raise my hand and repeat after the moderator the following Oath of Office: 

          “I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

           There are other provisions that state that an individual will not strike against the federal government and that no transfer, promise or pay was received in securing the appointment.

          11 days and I depart for Saudi Arabia ...and counting!

All the best,
G. Marie

My diplomatic Visa and Passport has finally arrived!

          Around 10:15 am today, there was a knock at my front door. I responded, “Who is it?” “It’s FEDEX!!” I checked the peep hole and it was indeed FEDEX. I opened the door, signed for my parcel and proceeded to open my package……My diplomatic Visa and Passport have finally arrived! 

All the best,
G. Marie

Alterations Completed and Time for the Fitting

          The seamstress called me to let me know that the alterations have been completed on my abayas and now it is time for the fitting.  I returned to the alteration shop this afternoon. The two women, whom I  previously gave a synopsis on the Muslim culture, my reason for being in Saudi and wearing of the abaya eagerly awaited my arrival to see is their alterations were successful. I tried on both abayas and the length as well as the width of the one sent in size 3X were excellent.  

          I couldn’t wait to get home to try on the abayas with the hijab. My,……I actually think I look thinner in it!  Yes, the two seamstresses from Jamaica did an amazing job! I am just about ready for my trip.

All the best,
G. Marie

My Abayas and Hijabs have Arrived!

          My abayas and hijabs have finally arrived today!

          I ordered them online from a place called Eastessence.com which sells an assortment of items worn by Muslim women such as the abayas (long black, long-sleeved robe), hijabs (a traditional scarf to cover the hair and neck and sometimes the face) and jilbab (a long robe covering the head).

          The anticipation got the best of me, so I ripped into the package to look at the contexts which arrived all the way from New Delhi India! Both abayas were in dire need of alterations because the lengths was entirely too long on one and on the other, rather than the company cancelling the order, an abaya size 3X was shipped!  Some major adjustments would have to be made to size 12. Everything will be ready for my trip by Monday.

          In the meantime, I practice donning the hijab which this particular one have two pieces; one that covers my forehead and skull and the other which goes over the first piece that cover my neck and shoulders. I can't wait to try on the entire ensemble when all alterations have been completed.

All the best,
GMarie

More Shots.....Ouch!

September 6, 2011

          Today, I returned to the Air Force base in Tampa to receive my Anthrax shot, which is second in a series of five! This is my last immunization before leaving the States for Riyadh. I can complete this series of immunizations as well as my last in a series of two for the Hepatitis A shot when I get to Saudi Arabia.

          Since beginning this journey (June 16) of mine and upon notification that I was accepted for my new position, I have received nine immunizations! Most are required for entering Riyadh (The Kingdom) and for Emergency Essential civilians who are living in Saudi Arabia.

          The shots I have taken includes Hepatitis A, Tetanus Diphtheria (TD), Meningitis, Typhoid, Influenza, Yellow Fever, Anthrax (2 each) and Small Pox. The TD, with the soreness, fever and lethargy and Small Pox, with so many ugly stages, were the worst to endure. Even though I have had this many immunizations in such a short period of time, my hands still sweat and I am nervous at the thought and sight of seeing a needle! So for the ninth time, ....I grin and bear it and will use a heating pad later to comfort my sore arm!

All the best,
G. Marie

Exchanging The Gulf of Mexico for the Gulf Region

September 4, 2011

      I decided this Labor Day weekend that I would take advantage of visiting St. Pete Beach possibly for the last time before leaving the U.S. I love this spot along the Gulf of Mexico called the Undertow which is frequented by the locals as well as tourists. You can actually make a day of it but I normally go between 11am and 4pm to catch my friend Glen who has the best island sounds with his sultry voice and melodious steel pan drums which have you either tapping to the beat or "whining" to the rhythm.

      It was a bittersweet day surrounded by good friendship....thanks to Michael, Lynn and Sylvain. Literally, I am trading in the Gulf of Mexico; it's warm waters and rolling waves for a very hot and sandy Gulf region of Saudi Arabia.

All the best,
G.Marie

Ready, Set, ....Go Get My Ticket to Riyadh!

September 2, 2011

I received my government orders from the U.S. Army, a couple of weeks ago. With those in hand, I can now go to any military base and get a ticket issued to fly to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This organization, in which I will be working, was established in 1973 through an agreement signed by the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz  Al-Saud and the U.S, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Army provides technical and contract support to SANG through training, equipment, procurement, construction, maintenance, supply administration and medical programs. My position will be a Supply Systems Analyst which will be in support of this effort.

Today, I went to the Transportation Management Office (TMO) which is located at the Air Force base in Tampa, Florida. The clerk issued a ticket to me for a commercial flight which departs on the morning of Sunday, September 25 from Orlando, Florida. This flight connects in New York and then flies into Istanbul Turkey. There were several other options for flight lay-overs such as London, England and Paris, France (which I would like to have stayed) but the cost exceeded the allotted amount for a government flight to Riyadh.

My layover in Istanbul will be about nine hours. My flight is due to arrive in Riyadh Saudi Arabia on Monday night, September 26, 2011. The only other important items that are pending is my Diplomatic Visa and Passport with should be forthcoming in a couple of weeks. The excitement is definitely building!

All the best,

G.Marie