Four Seasons Riyadh

... in a computer, my photograph was taken and also my fingerprints were scanned by a little machine at the desk. The policeman was fairly disinterested in his job and didn’t make any time for small-talk. Once this 15 minute ordeal was out of the way, all that was left for me to do was pick up my suitcase which lay directly behind passport control and proceed through any of the ten or so customs scanners. I had heard so many horror stories about in depth searches but in my ...

... their own cars, men that is as women aren't permitted to drive. But Glenn and a couple of his work colleagues like having a driver they know and trust to taxi them around. Makes life easier...

On the drive to the compound i had a chance to look at the scenery....buildings are large, I was surprised at how much english language is around, lots of new buildings going up. Kingdom Tower ...

... been closed. We looked around and saw spray painted on a concrete barrier, in Arabic only, "Ta'if" with an arrow. So we decided to give it a try, although who knew who painted it and what they really meant by it. We made it back into Makkah proper then asked directions from a couple of young Saudis in the car next to us at a traffic light. They told us the way, and then led us to the right road themselves, which was most kind.

On the way back ...

... popping and we noticed lines of trucks with their hazards flashing as they struggled to keep their vehicles going at the slow rate down the sloping roads. The views are breathtaking. I particularly enjoy the odd assortment of rocky outcrops -- amazing how these jagged towers are shaped by nature.

We reached Riyadh close to midnight. My husband's aunt's (by marriage) brother lives in Riyadh, and we usually sleep at their villa and have a meal before heading out again for the longer segment of our journey. Riyadh is a huge city; unfortunately it has only been a stopover point for us, we haven't had the opportunity to spend much time exploring.

After dinner and a night's rest we left, making a short stop at Starbucks for a Frappucino. I ...

... spinal anaesthetic, must remain in recovery UNTIL IT HAS FULLY WORN OFF!!! I feel sorry for the caesar patients who just want to go back to the ward and be with their babies, but can't because "no, you cant move your legs properly yet". And we transport our patients back to the ward after they are recovered. We also quite often look after royals and VIP's - there is an entire ward especially for these patients. The rooms are amazing, like 3 separate rooms ...

Well, I'm settling in pretty well to life here in Riyadh! Am finally finished orientation, and am about to start working in PACU tomorrow, which I'm really looking forward to. The girls in recovery work pretty hard, here. Its a 44 hour week, and they are pretty understaffed, so overtime is pretty much expected. But, aside from this, they seem to be a really great bunch of girls in there, really friendly and welcoming so far. I went shopping in the Kuwaiti souk ...

... always know when to arrive! My villa is only about a 25 minute walk from the hospital, or there is a bus stop 100 meters down the road that we can catch for free. Taxi's are pretty cheap here, too. Its is quite hot, but a really dry heat, which is quite tolerable at the moment, although it does seem to be getting otter and hotter by the day. Most days seem to be high 30's, low 40's, and thankfully, we have air-con throughout the villa and hospital. The most amazing thing that I have ...

... to males...should I cover my hair...it goes on and on and on! I have never had to think so much in my life. At the same time though, its easy to figure out what to do! If it says female only line...stand in it!!! Smile when smiled at!!! Speak when spoken to!!! Do not shake hands unless a hand is offered to you...some people don't like to touch : ( hmmm ...

... He gave us the paperwork we needed, and we drove up into a huge chaotic parking lot where we had no idea what we were to do. Going with the flow, James (our friend, who was in Jordan 17 years ago) and I dashed into the ruksa office (mandatory car insurance needed to drive your vehicle in Jordan) to get our insurance and change our Saudi riyals into Jordanian dinars. 29 Dinars (about 50 bucks Cdn) later, we had the ruksa. But...we still needed to get our ...