Saudi - Why?
Dec 5th 2012, 8:15 am
#16
Knee deep and rising
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,007
Re: Saudi - Why?
I lived in Saudi (Riyadh) for a while and I doubt I will ever return but to dispel some of the myths:
There were a few unofficial compound bars (Salwa for example)
You could get home brew alcohol easily enough
A decent bottle of whisky was about $130
It was possible to mingle with women but only at the compounds and some select places like kingdom tower or a couple of others.
I managed to get laid also (without paying for it
) but it was a nerve racking business (going about it, not the actual act)
The money was worth it at the time, and I left every 3 months or so (part of my contract) but I doubt I would ever return
There were a few unofficial compound bars (Salwa for example)
You could get home brew alcohol easily enough
A decent bottle of whisky was about $130
It was possible to mingle with women but only at the compounds and some select places like kingdom tower or a couple of others.
I managed to get laid also (without paying for it
) but it was a nerve racking business (going about it, not the actual act)The money was worth it at the time, and I left every 3 months or so (part of my contract) but I doubt I would ever return
Last edited by weasel decentral; Dec 5th 2012 at 8:20 am.
Dec 5th 2012, 8:17 am
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 82
Re: Saudi - Why?
Probably the most difficult place to live in....however, as a short hop, I would suggest its worth a punt. I'm here till Jan 2013, by then will have made in 6 months what I would normally have made in about 11. I think for contractor types (married or single) a few short term stints (less than 12 months) out here are probably worth it for the money they are offering.
And because there is f**k all to do you here, you do actually end up saving a lot of money
And because there is f**k all to do you here, you do actually end up saving a lot of money
Dec 5th 2012, 8:20 am
#18
Hit 16's
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine
Posts: 13,112
Re: Saudi - Why?
I lived in Saudi (Riyadh) for a while and I doubt I will ever return but to dispel some of the myths:
There were a few unofficial compound bars (Salwa for example). Plentiful booze on the US compounds.
You could get home brew alcohol easily enough. Yep, and it tasted like shite.
A decent bottle of whisky was about $130. $100
It was possible to mingle with women but only at the compounds and some select places like kingdom tower or a couple others. Only compounds.
I managed to get laid also (without paying for it) but it was a nerve racking business (going about it, not the actual act). Alas, no. Had to save it all up for when I went home. Explosive.
The money was worth it at the time, and I left every 3 months or so (part of my contract) but I doubt I would ever return. Money was definitely worth it, but only got out about every 6 months. Survived for 20 months, vowed never to go back. Never's a long time...
There were a few unofficial compound bars (Salwa for example). Plentiful booze on the US compounds.
You could get home brew alcohol easily enough. Yep, and it tasted like shite.
A decent bottle of whisky was about $130. $100
It was possible to mingle with women but only at the compounds and some select places like kingdom tower or a couple others. Only compounds.
I managed to get laid also (without paying for it
) but it was a nerve racking business (going about it, not the actual act). Alas, no. Had to save it all up for when I went home. Explosive.The money was worth it at the time, and I left every 3 months or so (part of my contract) but I doubt I would ever return. Money was definitely worth it, but only got out about every 6 months. Survived for 20 months, vowed never to go back. Never's a long time...
Dec 5th 2012, 8:23 am
#19
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 110
Re: Saudi - Why?
Just trying to strike a balance here.
Dec 5th 2012, 8:27 am
#20
Knee deep and rising
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,007
Re: Saudi - Why?
Not much has changed really. It always had an oppressive feeling for me and I am definitely guilty of underestimating the consequences of some of the things I did while I was there. But I am a risk taker by nature.
Dec 5th 2012, 8:30 am
#21
Shark Fisherman
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Doha
Posts: 4,568
Re: Saudi - Why?
I am by no means saying Saudi is awesome, but I know a young boy who was treated for leukemia here gratis at a top hospital and is now 6 years safely in remission. In his home country the care and outcome may not have been so good. He is not Muslim, nor were the family co-erced into converting
Just trying to strike a balance here.
Just trying to strike a balance here.
Dec 5th 2012, 8:34 am
#22
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Saudi - Why?
I'd not go either, but I've not been so I feel a bit harsh saying that, but it's Saudi.
It ruins a lot of CVs.
It ruins a lot of CVs.
Dec 5th 2012, 8:37 am
#23
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 110
Re: Saudi - Why?
Not relevant to a western expat of course.
Dec 5th 2012, 9:32 am
#24
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Doha, Qatar
Posts: 2,675
Re: Saudi - Why?
I took another call this morning from someone wanting me to go to Saudi for a stupid amount of money, I obviously told them politely where to go......
Money aside (There is not enough in the world for me to go there) Why the hell would you live there?
As I see it, Single
No women
No bars
Married
No women
No bars
Your wife will hate you for taking her there
Money aside (There is not enough in the world for me to go there) Why the hell would you live there?
As I see it, Single
No women
No bars
Married
No women
No bars
Your wife will hate you for taking her there
Dec 5th 2012, 9:53 am
#26
Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Jeddah, KSA
Posts: 822
Re: Saudi - Why?
Married
No women - Hope your wife isn't on BE
No bars - With 2 small kids and #3 on the way I wouldn't see many bars either way
Your wife will hate you for taking her there - not necessarily. Mine is quite happy not having to work and spend some quality time with kids and some leisure time while kids are in school
No women - Hope your wife isn't on BE
No bars - With 2 small kids and #3 on the way I wouldn't see many bars either way
Your wife will hate you for taking her there - not necessarily. Mine is quite happy not having to work and spend some quality time with kids and some leisure time while kids are in school
Dec 5th 2012, 9:56 am
#27
Bored liberal
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Over there ----->
Posts: 13,713
Re: Saudi - Why?
Exactly. A couple of months of misery is one thing, but years of it? No way. No one knows what's around the corner and if you don't have some enjoyment every day, you are wasting your life.
A trite saying I agree with - a day without laughter is a day wasted.
Dec 5th 2012, 10:00 am
#28
Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Jeddah, KSA
Posts: 822
Re: Saudi - Why?
We laugh here every day. I am past the stage when nonsense was throwing me in despair.