Recent News

I really do need to update this more often otherwise I forget things or have too much to write!  Anyway a quick update of recent events.

Firstly, Maddy is much more settled at school still tricky with only 3 other girls in the class but getting easier.  However, she does really like school (made pizza last week) that is apart from the shock of 20 mins homework a night (not a week) plus reading and spelling.  At the moment I am not sure if it is more painful for her or me.

Isy is loving school and desperate to be out with her new friends all the time.  They seem to arrange their own social life at school and then inform me what is happening after.



Maddy with the Class Bear who came home for the night



Isy has become a real bookworm, but then lounging on the patio in the warm weather reading a book is hardly a hard life.





Going out to the Battle of Britain Reception, Maddy dressed up to see us off but Isy just stayed in school PE kit



We had a busy weekend with the Battle of Britain Reception on wed and the Dining-In-Night on thu, good excuse to buya new dress etc.  I have to admit, having the Reception and the Sunset Ceremony in a warm country is very civilized.  Maddy was extremely impressed as members of the RAF Band who were over went into school and played and chatted in assembly, I hadn't appreciated how impressive something like that is to a small child. 

After much faffing Rich's visa came through and he flew back to the UK at 1am on thursday morning to catch the end of his MBA resedential.  That left me to go to the Dining-In alone and the girls and me having a holday weekend over here with no Rich.  That takes some getting used to when you can't drive, however, as the pool is still a novelty that passed many hours and also the fact that Maddy is addicted to Cinnabon helps and provides me with a coffee (our stuff is still enroute so no coffee machine yet).

Maddy's efforts to acquire a pet gecko came closer last night wehn we found one in the kitchen, as I tried to shoo it out of the kitchen I swear she was trying to catch the poor thing. 

Next time pink, purple and blue fluffy (living) chicks, one of the strangest things I have seen so far.

Bye for now x

Torture by Waitrose

I have to say that when you live over here receiving an email from Waitrose telling you they have 25% off all Riojas (my favourite wine) is tantamount to torture, I have no idea when I will taste my next glass of Rioja.  Not only that, they claim they have free standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders, good as their customer service is I would love to see them fulfill that promise - in my dreams.

Margaret if you are reading this please at least have a glass for me and thank you for the card, my first post.

Cheers everyone,

Vania x

Well Done Isy

At the end of week 1 Isy received the award for the best girl in her class that week.  Apparently she has a certicate on the wall and it is announced in assembly, but more importantly she is allowed to bring 'Spit the Dog' home for the weekend. Hopefully you remember 'Spit the Dog', and just in case I didn't this one comes with added sound effects.

A Family Outing to IKEA!

The thought of a visit to IKEA normally causes Rich and myself to suffer palpitations, so as you can imagine we set of to IKEA in downtown Riyadh (children in tow) with a degree of trepidation and a large shopping list.

It did get off to good start as we found it quite easily without even turning on the satnav. To be fair IKEA is pretty standard so you get what you'd expect wherever you are in the world.  Unfortunately, you cannot exactly rush through and generally have to follow the walkway round to ensure you do not miss what you actually came for.  Halfway round the novelty had worn off for Isy and Maddy, especially as the children's section was quite early on, so after lunch, (yes Sedish Meatballs were on the menu) we put them in the IKEA Creche.  Most people probably realise that in the UK there is no way that I would deposit the children in an IKEA Creche, but after leaving my mobile no and been handed a piece paper that was my chit to retrieve my children I abandoned the girls and joined all the other Abaya clad women and their husbands shopping.

At this point I think Rich would have been glad if he too could have been left at the creche rather than accompany me to choose crockery, bedding and all the other stuff you buy at IKEA.  I just kept reminding him that it would have been far worse and much busier in the UK!

After spending far more money than we expected too (always the case at IKEA) and coming away with a complete unbroken and matching dinner service we retreived the children,  who to my immense releif were lounging at the top of the slide area and still in the creche (still cannot believe that I left them there).

After all that and a full boot of stuff we returned home, as we arrived at the compound poor Rich pointed out we had been gone for nearly 5 hours.  I did point out that it took 30 mins to get there and we had lunch there too so not all that time was shopping in IKEA, not much consolation to him and the children. 

Never again, well not until the next time.

PS Sorry no photos as we were not able to take them, but I am sure you can all imagine IKEA with 2 very bored children and poor Rich.

Week 3

It now seems so long ago since we left the UK.  Hearing the weather at home is strage when it hardly changes here from day to day.

A few pictures below taken by Isy as we tried to receive the important Domestic and Security Briefings.  As you can see the girls have clearly got their priorities sorted.



In the kitchen Rich tries to listen to the briefings whilst Isy chases Maddy to get her photo 





Looking out of the back gate to the gardens in the middle of the houses



The Dining Room, not so keen on the large glass and mirrow cabinet myself. Will help when we actually receive our own things, somewhere at sea at the moment

Maddy's first go at Tenpin Bowling, not a bad effort with a little help.

Rich helps Maddy with  Bowling, just relieved she avoided dropping it on her toes.




Action shot!





First Day at School - 10 Sep 11

How exciting the first day at a new school.  Didn't even do packed lunches the cook produced them, however, had to explain no need to cut the crust off the girl's sandwiches and 2 slices of cake each was a little generous.

 

So off we set off at 0730 (oh my goodness that is early) but the girls got to scooter and I walked, far better then the old days of driving.  The girls looked very smart.

                                    

They were both whisked away from school reception ( I still have no idea where their classrooms are) and was left lost.  Took the chance to go to the gym, but really had forgotten how dull running machines are. In the gym found out belatedly that Maddy doesn't actually doesn't have lunchtime they just snack.  Not sure how this will go down with the girl who can barely go an hour without food.

I was really excited to go pick Maddy up at 1300, unfortunately the look on her face told me it had perhaps not been such a great day.  When you are 6 not making instant friends on day one is a major issue and not one any mother can reasure you about.  Trying to be postive I asked what was good about the first day, "nothing" came the response.  Alas the icing on the cake was that she had to do Arabic today, not amused!  Oh well as another mother said it can really only get better (hope so).

We passed an hour at the cafe and then went back for Isy, she had a great day - hooray.  Lots of homework though.  So back for a spot of homework and then out to the pool where Isy met a couple of boys from her class.





Maddy takes time after school to prepare for the pool

Relaxing outside after our first day at school



A few things you need to know about life here

Just thought it might be useful to tell you a few facts about life out here.  Many of you may know most of this but for those who don't it may help you understand my rants etc on our Blog.

- I am not allowed to drive at all!  Women are not permitted to drive in Saudi. It is also hideous being a passenger as the driving leaves a great deal to be desired,  you just have to grip the sides of the seat and take a deep breath.

- Whenever I leave the Compound I have to wear an Abaya (see photo on Blog).  They come in one lovely shade of black and are worn on top of normal clothes, so when it is 45 degrees outside it feels pretty warm.  I only have to cover my hair with a scarf if asked which hasn't happened yet - shouldn't have said that.  I have an abaya with a hood so if asked to cover my hair can just whisk that up, makes me look like a monk or Darth Vada.

- During Prayer Time (5 times a day) everything stops, shops close and you generally get thrown out - sometimes you can stay in the supermarket but you cannot use the check outs.  So far I have been thrown out of Costa and Starbucks during Prayer Time.  It makes shopping a logistical nightmare, you have to plan very carefully whe you go.  I think most locals shop at night after last Prayer, too late for me though.

- We are provided with House Staff, not good for control freaks like me.  We have a House Boy, who doubles as a driver for me, and we also have a cook (really not sure how this one is going to work).  It is part of life out here but I personally find it all a little strange.  That said, I no longer have an ironing mountain hidden behind the sofa.

- Whenever you go out and eat or have a coffee all the places are divided into areas for men and then family areas.  Obviously, I always have to sit in the family area which is usually partitioned off by frosted glass or dividers.  Even in coffee shops you sit in the family area which consists of small cubicles or curtained areas.

- Our weekend is Thursday and Friday, so as you start your weekend we are getting ready to go back to school/work.  The day starts much earlier, the girls start school at 07.50 (Maddy finishes at 1300 and Isy at 14.40). At the momemt we are 2 hours ahead of the UK.  

- It's very hot about 43 degrees during the day at the mo, however, thankfully it is not humid.  At night it is around the mid 20s so nice to sit out at night.

- Oh I nearly forgot, Alcohol is a banned substance in Saudi!

Hope this helps you understand a bit more about life out here.

Week 1

Can hardly believe we have been here a week and still finding our feet!

Day one Rich was off to work so the girls and I figured out the important things, where the pools are and where to buy a decent coffee (we have no idea when our stuff will arrive here so no coffee machine!).  The girls seem pretty pleased with the pools, virtually empty.

The Patch Pool, 2 mins walk away.



Later that day out shopping to buy food only to find everything closed due to Ramadan, oh well chance to wear mt abaya. 

Day 2 guess what dragged to the pool again, it's a hard life but you really do need to cool off in these temperatures.  Ordered take away as still hadn't made a successful trip to the supermarket.

Day 3 is Wednesday, the end of the week and the chance for a drink.  Lovely to sit outside in the evening and enjoy a drink.

Day 4, Thursday (Saturday here) and off to the supermarket which will hopefully be open this time, success.  Although we were thrown out of Costa for Prayer Time - hopefully I will eventually get my head around Prayer Time and fitting in shopping.  Strange going into Costa and when you sit down it is all small family like cubicles which separate you from others.

The supermarket had many western products, obviously a bit pricier.  But overall plenty to choose from even found Dorset Cereals.  Both girls love the local flat bread which now seem to accompany every meal.

Day 5, lots of relaxing, swimming and starting to feel like we almost know which way is up.  We took the girls bowling for the first time, Maddy was desperate to have a go.  In the heat and wearing flip flops (or thongs for the Austrailans reading this, Paula) we didn't even think about socks to wear with the lovely bowling shoes so poor Rich had to nip home in the heat to find socks - will definitely remember next time.  It is also lovely that a couple of girls have introduced themselves to Isy knowing that she will be in their class.

Day 6, first day of the working week (Saturday over here) and our House Boy arrived.  A very pleasant man called Rizwan who has received the Maddy treatment most of the day, will he ever return?  After hearing her call "House Boy where are you?" on several occassions, we made her try really hard to remember his name.  Rich came home and commented on how sparkly clean the house was, clearly not used to living in a home like that!

Day 7, really getting into the swing of it.  Woke Isy and Maddy up at 7 so we could make it to the 7.30am cvircuits session in the gym, personally that is a bit early for me.  For anyone reading this who goes to Trevor's class be grateful, we started on a minute an exercise for the first circuit!  Anyway all felt much better for the exercise and the children were happy as I bribed them to come and watch with the promise of a Cinnabon (or should I say their favourite the Chocabon) straight after and coffee for me.

Big day for Isy and Maddy today, school assessments and meet the teacher.  I think everything went well, I just sat and waited in the school entrance.  Both seem very pleased with their teachers and cannot wait to start school on 10th Sep, always a good sign.

More pool time and the promise of some form of pool toy to be bought on the next supermarket visit

We've Arrived

Wow, what an easy journey out here (far easier than all the removals).  Isy and Maddy quickly acquired a taste for Business Class travel, they will really have a reality check next time we fly Cattle Class.  We were met at the airport whisked away and at our new home before we knew it.

 

Leaving the UK

On 23 Aug 2011 we were officially homeless.  In an attempt to relax for a while we went to the lovely Woolacombe Bay Hotel where the girls practiced their swimming skills in the outdoor pool whilst I sat be the pool wrapped in several layers of clothing - bit chilly for me!

Then off to London to do the tourist stuff before flying out.  We took the girls to see Buckingham Palace, Hamley's and Ice Cream in Fortnum and Mason (yummy, but just coffee for the adults).

Welcome to our Blog

We hope this Blog will give our friends and family the opportunity to keep track of our time in Saudi Arabia and our travels beyond.

Dip in as much or as little as you wish but please stay in touch.

Vania, Rich, Isy and Maddy  xx