Weekend !!

Went to the speakeasy yesterday. It was quite cool. Felt like an weird Edinburgh venue at the festival. There was a propper bar there. The beer was nice. Some home brew mixed with alcohol free stuff. The bar has been around too. Its been on three compounds before this one, Most take some effort to move.

There were lots of teachers there form the English school that is attached to the compound, one more week and its the end of term for them and they go home and no more bar :p

When the bomb happened in this compound the guys who runs the speakeasy had cuts all over from the windows breaking but all he could think about was to get the alcohol down the drain before the cops show up :p
Left about half twelve, there were a good amount of people still there and as you leave you put the amount you want to pay for the drinks in a little pot :p nice..

Hate that Saturday feeling...

Going to work on Saturday after having a weekend feels weird, used to do this in old jobs but here everyone does it :P

The picture shows the pool area in the compound. Its really big with lots of different sections, even a section that looks like a bar. Never seen anyone selling drinks from there. I went to the video rental place today, its full of pirate videos. Not a single legit copy... I am not desperate yet but maybe in a few weeks I will be glad for anything I can get.

You say Saturday i say Thursday

The weather here is perfect. There is always a bit of wind and the temperature is is perfect for a t shirt. At night it gets a little fresher still not jumper weather though. All this does not make up for how boring it is here. The place has great facilities but there is no one here to share it with, which in turn makes it even more boring.

Today is a “Saturday” in Saudi and last night (Friday) we planned to go to the Speakeasy on the compound after dinner. It sounds interesting the guy makes beer, but its a bit strong so he mixes it up with the non alcoholic beer. He was not in though, so my verdict will have to come another day. In “Tesco” I saw non alcoholic Budweiser and a few others, made me chuckle. Took forever to get out of the shopping. When its parer time they close the way out, so you wait as the queue builds up but at the same time the way into the shop is open. Crazy.

Shhhhh..

The place where i work is a big building in a compound full of big buildings where the cars have tents to keep the heat off and a 6 foot fence surrounding the place. It also has the quietest call centre on the planet. You could hear a pin drop in there. Its not natural.

To get into the building you need get through two guard posts and need a pass for you and your laptop. It all makes sense and would make it a very secure place in practice. I however have non of these but all i need to do is sit in the car past the guard posts and walk into the building the back way. Yes the back. This would also make it the Quietest Unsecured Secure Call Centre in the world. QUSCC sounds catchy.

Has a good canteen though. I had a plate fool of rice and some Chinese spicy fish dish for £2. DEAL!!

My bags are here again...

Went to pick up my bags yesterday as i was told... "sure no problem, its here, pick them up anytime". I got there and i got.. "Its still in Jeddah". Jeddah whats it doing there. Apparently its in the kingdom close to Mecca.

I called and my bags where there and when i went to pick them up.... they were still there. YAY. I have a mouse and dont have to buy rubbish clothes again.

Had my first day at work today. I will elaberate on in another day but while i was there it hit home that they use there own written number system here (see picture). Well they still display "normal " numbers on most things. Made it very interesting what the speed limit was driving to the airport.

I am off to iron some shirts :(

I am here but where are my bags?

The journey was painless enough, thought that an airport would be a cool place to set a servival horror game or film in the style of 28 days later. Hethrow would be cool with its size, long scary corridoors and limited acess with security locks on doors. And while you are in there you have the feeling of beeing watched by the gazillion camaras in that place. Good idea to flesh out i think.
There are a lot of indians here. The airport staff moving trollies were Indian, the gards opening the gates, the waiter at the resturant and the guy in the shop.

The wireless internet is a bit flakey in the flat only skype will work, no internet or anything so i am using dial up. Soooo slow but wow works with 5k lag :p

Its time to give the airpot a call and see if the bags are there.

Forgot i had this

Well there you go.. I forgot i had this blog. Over a year without an entry :p It suddenly came back as i thought i should do something when i am in Saudi. We will see if i can keep it going.

I fly out the day after tomorrow don't really want to think about the time i have left as i don't want to leave the people behind. Going to miss Irene :p
Dinner with friends tonight. Hair cut and some shopping for tomorrow. I am expecting about 25 Degrees plus during the day and a cool 10 Degrees during the day.

Here is a map of the place i will be staying. Driver should pick me up i was told.. Will give him a call when i get there. But to be honest i am guessing i will be going the the villa but have no idea which one i will be staying in. Think they have 5 in this compound.

We will see...