Mechanic

When I was provided a contract to come over here one of the lines said that the company would provide transportation. That could have meant anything from a bus to a carpool. So I was curious as to what kind of transportation. The company, AEC, gives us cars to drive--awesome. I’m one of the few that does carpool—and that’s ok.
The cars that we get are all Toyota. A lot of people have the Camry but some of us have the Corolla. I'm not in love with the Corolla but I'm not going to complain about a free car and gas ( get 100SAR a month for gas—and I’ve never turned in receipts for that much and I drive all over Riyadh—work, shopping, eating out, the school to pick up Laurie and other places). I'm also not going to complain because the company provides a mechanic to take care of the cars. You read right--a mechanic.
When the Corolla reached a 1,000 km I called the mechanic. His accent is a little heavy and it was a little difficult to understand him at first. What I figured out was that he would meet me at the compound and pick up the car--awesome (or brilliant as my UK friend would say). He called me when he got here and I meet him at the gate--gave him the car and off he drove. I found out that I should have asked for a “trader” car while he had mine--live and learn. The mechanic brought the car back the next evening.
Two weeks ago I had a flat tire--bummer. I called the mechanic and he said he would come and fix it--then he realized he can't come onto the base. I told the mechanic not to worry--I would change the tire and then he could come and pick up the flat when I got home. I did and he did. That day he also asked me how many km were on the car and I told him 6,000--which meant it was time for its next check. But the timing wasn't convenient for either of us. I asked if I could wait until the break (which is from today until 11 Oct for me—if only I had gotten our exit / entry visas we could have gone somewhere—I’ll know better for next year) and he said yes.
Today I got a phone call--it was the mechanic. He said he would come and get the car at 330--but this time I told him I was going to need a "trader." The mechanic called again at 330--he was here. So I drove to the gate. He was in a new 2008 Hyundai Sonata--wow is it nice. We traded.
Just another perk about being here--someone picks up the car the company is providing, gives you a "trader" and brings your car back after he's finished. What a great thing--to have the mechanic pick up and deliver the car from your house--brilliant.

Mail

In the US when most of go to the mailbox to check mail we find bills, flyers, magazines and sometimes a letter or card from friends and family (the bills and flyers make us sigh—but the letter or card normally bring a smile to our faces). Today our communication is changing and most us now use e-mail to send a receive "letters" from each other. I'm not knocking e-mail--I love it. But, there's something really special about a handwritten card, letter or note that you get in the mail.
When I was in the Air Force my Dad wrote me faithfully. No matter where I was in the world I knew I would get a letter from Dad at least monthly--and sometimes weekly. I started keeping them--hoping that one day I'll go back and re-read them (right now they're all boxes in San Angelo--in storage). When I married Laurie she sent letters and cards when I was in Korea for our first year of marriage (though she preferred e-mail—and I saved those).
Now we're overseas living in an area where getting the mail is iffy at best. My company gave us a stateside address and then from there they send the mail over here. Then the company picks up the mail and eventually I get it.
The first time I got mail here it was really exciting. It made it! The system works. When Laurie and Timmie got here Grandma Tanner sent them a card--I got teary eyed--she was the first person to send a real letter--handwritten, enveloped addressed and stamped--from the US! Grandma Tanner then sent Laurie a birthday card--and that was exciting.
This week Laurie and I got cards from Dad and Myrna. I went to the company office on Wed to drop off some paperwork and pictures of us (more pictures--if you ever work over here bring at least 20 passport size photos of yourself--you'll use them all). While at the company office Mr. Saad said "Mr. Tim, you have mail." He gave me an envelope--I opened it--house payment--rental receipt--and two cards with my Dad's handwriting. I opened mine. It was a birthday card and there was even a check in it. I have to admit that my eyes teared up just a little. It reminded me of how important mail is--communication with family friends is--we all need and want to stay connected.
Our family is having great adventures here--last night Laurie and I "found" 4 stores that we had been looking for--I think it was because it was 11 at night and the bright lights got our attention. But we still love getting mail--real mail--from families and friends back home in the US. It brings a little of the US to Saudi and reminds us of home—that place that can seem so far away.
Thanks Dad and Grandma Tanner for the cards and letters you've sent. We got mail!

Happy Birthday Laurie!

Laurie's birthday was 12 Sept--Fri. I won't tell how old she is--but she's high 30's--the highest 30 you can be without being 40 (that'll be next year). I wanted to make sure that Laurie had an awesome birthday. That was something of challenge during Ramadan--remember most stores are closed during the day. I'm used to being able to go to Target, Bath and Body and I'm done.
I had a vision of what I wanted to get Laurie--clothes, jewelry, chocolates, bubble bath--you know the good stuff. Laurie had her vision--a computer, something about ink for the printer--and other stuff I can't remember. As usual our visions didn't match.
Timmie and I went out at 7pm on Wed night--surely the progressive Kingdom Mall would be open. Traffic was very light. We got to the mall quickly. Parking was plentiful--that should have been a sign. We go into the mall--all the stores are closed. Then we heard prayer starting. We decided to drive around for a while looking at the lights. Timmie talked to me about life, school and other topics (I really enjoyed being with him). After a while he said he was tired and could I take him home--so I did. By this time it was 8ish. Laurie was in bed--something about being tired--I wasn't really paying attention. I gave them both kisses and told them I was going back out. Out I went.
It was 845ish. The traffic was heavier. Lots of cars playing loud music. Lots of younger guys driving--teenage looking. The good news--all the malls were open. The bad news--Marks and Spencer didn't have what I was looking for. Now I'm about to panic. I go to my favorite mall--the Hyatt Mall.
I wandered around Hyatt trying to get inspired. I did. I found a shop that had awesome smelling bath gel. The desert warrior was a good salesman. I bought 4 and then he wrapped them in a box with a ribbon--very nice. Ok one gift--but I wanted others.
I spotted a Chinese store. Went in. The Chinese guy was so nice I felt like I had to buy something. I bought Laurie a cloth jewelry box and Timmie a small dragon (he's our dragon). Ok I'm starting to feel better. Off to Danube.
Danube has the best--yes the best (so far)--cakes that I've ever eaten (Ruth--the cakes are such a temptation!). The most delish cakes! I both a huge cake with chocolate ganache, chocolate squares and chocolate covered strawberries on the outside--inside it was three layers of chocolate cake with a light creamy filling--wow. It was a beautiful cake. I'm feeling a lot better--but I still needed one more thing. Then I remembered--Laurie mentioned that she wanted the Wii Fit. AND the guy I work with--Lenny--had told me the day before that Jarir had the Wii Fit. Now I'm off to Jarir. And the time--around midnight and I've been shopping for 3 hours.
I had to go to two Jarir's--the second one knew what I was talking about and helped me find it. Wow! I bought the last one. I was so excited to see how Laurie would react to this gift.
I got home and unloaded the gifts and cake. I looked at the clock--0130--yes--it was 0130. You should see the streets--full of cars. So much honking. Music blaring from the cars--this was a whole side of Riyadh night life that I hadn't seen before and I loved it.
I hid the gifts in the maid's room--under the bed--and put the cake in the fridge. The next day was Thursday. I showed Timmie the gifts--he was impressed. We ended up giving Laurie all of her presents that evening. She loved them all. Then we had a big slice of cake--so yum. And the Wii Fit--we've been using it an it's awesome.
Happy Birthday Laurie! You're awesome!

Ramadan

Ramadan is here. When I was here in the Kingdom 13 years ago I got to experience Ramadan. Then I was active duty Air Force. What I remember is that we were told not to drink or eat in front of the Saudi's--so we didn't. I also remember that evening prayer seemed to last forever. Everything was open in the evening until morning--or so it seemed.
One night there were 4 of us waiting for evening prayer to be over. We were so hungry but none of the restaurants were open. We heard this "psst." We looked around--nothing. "Psst--are you hungry?" Was this a joke? We finally saw a little TCN. We said "Yes, we're hungry." He motioned for us to follow him
The TCN took us to the alley. Great we're going to be mugged. Instead he looked around--knocked on a door--a small opening--words were whispered--the door opened. We went inside. The bottom floor was dark and empty. He took us upstairs.
The upstairs made up for the dark downstairs. Upstairs there was music, smoking, laughing and eating. It was the best meal I had!
Ramadan is the holy month. Once they see the crescent moon the fast begins. The month changes every year--moves up two weeks each year. This is a big deal for the Saudis. This is a big deal for the country. There are some employers that will fire an employee that is caught drinking or eating. All of us expats are warned not to eat or drink in public--it's against the rules--the Embassy sends us this via e-mail. Night becomes day and day becomes night. It's chaos.
It's not just food and drink that is forbidden during the day. No smoking, no sex, no...no temptations of the flesh.
I love my work hours during Ramadan. I work from 1000 to 3--you're reading it right--1000 - 3--that's 5 hours. We usually get in around 0945 and then leave 5 hours later. It sounds great--but it's getting boring. There's no lunch to break up our day. We're in our office the whole time. But that's not to say we don't eat or drink--we do.
When prayer is called--around noon--we close and lock our door. Then we expats get out our contraband water and food. We quickly--and I mean quickly--gulp down our water and eat our food. We put the wrappers and empty bottles back in our desk drawers and then later I bring in a bag and bring it home to throw away. We brush the crumbs off our desk and shirts and then open the door. This takes us about 5 minutes--but it keeps us going.
The Saudis I work with have told us we're allowed to eat and drink--in the open. But we've told them that we respect their culture and we'll close the door. I think they know what we're doing but they respect that we don't have food and water out.
Each evening they break their fast with a big meal. There are tents all over town for the poor--or anybody that wants to eat. Then at the end of Ramadan there is a huge feast that lasts for about three days.
The bad thing about Ramadan--night becomes day. Most shops aren't open during the day--only at night. Laurie and I went out--it was nice. Timmie and I went out--the stores were still closed so we came back home and bought what we needed at the market here at the compound.
I respect that the Muslims do fast during the day. I haven't seen any try to sneak a drink or eat something. I know that around 6pm they're going to eat and eat. I'm not sure that's what the Prophet had in mind. I think his vision was a time to read the Quran, fast during the day and then eat sparingly in the evening--all to bring a person spiritually closer to Allah. Oh well things change with time and interpretation. I'm hungry and thirsty!