Riyadh Palace Hotel

... the first one at the entrance with a nicely printed A4 page, with ‘SIMON IRVINE – AL-RAJHI COMPANY’. He was a small man, from Eritrea, who greeted me in broken English and offered to take my suitcase. I said that it was ok and asked where he was from. When he told me he was from an Arabic-speaking country and I engaged him in Arabic, relief cascaded down his wee face. He admitted that it would have been a very boring ride to the flat if I hadn’t spoken ...

28th...bought an abaya in Dubai. The young woman at the shop showed me how to put on the sheelah (the head scarf)...an hour later i asked another nice young Saudi lady in the waiting area to show me again, because i took it off and couldn't get it back on properly...there is a knack to it. Met her family while waiting...really lovely people. Her mother said not to worry about putting on the ...

... each year is staggering.

With that delay we passed Makkah then Ta'if, and then it was sunset as yet again we entered the sandstorm areas. We stopped again at a Sapco for sunset prayers, Nusaiba and I causing a stir in the ladies restroom at the masjid -- I gather they don't see a lot of Americans there. When we went in a woman asked where we were from (from our coloring we are obviously not local) and was visibly shocked when I said America, I ...

... 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.

... small barrier to the families' entrance, and back in again. I shared a small chuckle with the staff as they were the same people, they had just shifted down the counter a bit. I was also the only customer in the store, on either side.

Large mocha chip Frappucino in hand I felt ready to face the next ten hours or so of drive time. We drove quickly along the city highway, not much traffic but still considerable winds and a lot of sand blowing around.

... to be by the patients' side and help the nurses. They are there 24/7 on the wards, sleep next to the pateints and all. Trying to navigate a trolley into the small 4-bed rooms of the regular wards, with sitters sleeping on the floor next to them, with all the curtains closed permanently because they are female patients can be lots of fun! :p At all times you have to be mindful of the cultural aspects of looking after the Muslim patient. 5 times a day the ...

... to a piece of fine gold! The best part of the morning was the fact that the souk was situated on the other side of town, and we had to drive right through the city centre to get there - providing me with some fantastic photo opportunities of the city, typical architecture, and the two famous towers - Faisalliah and Kingdom tower. I've booked in my first lot of leave for late September/early October, and I can't wait! The plan is to head to Dubai for a few days, meet ...

... high in the sky as it would have been at maybe 11 back home. The compound grounds are massive in themselves. There is a gym, pool, tennis courts, social club, courtyards, theatre, bank, travel agency, supermarkets, dry cleaners... you name it! There is even a rug store :p Im going to have to go further exploring in the next couple of days :) Well, I have to say that I am having a "super fun" time. This place is amazing, such a wonderful experience, am loving it more every day. The ...

Once more to the airport van my friends! So begins another trip by the Doigs, this time to Cairo, Egypt. Although we had never been, we have many friends who have been to Cairo and given us both positive and negative feedback. This was really the trip of first choice: for Colin because he wanted to see the Pyramids, Dawn and I the same, as well as for us the price was right. The day started uneventfully, until I received a phone call at work from Dawn. Wondering ...

... waited. And waited. During this time they opened another window, upon which 30 of the 80 men rushed it, almost resulting in a fist fight between an older gentlemen and a younger one who was in the new line but then got popped out like a ballon held underwater and then released. Interesting. After this amusing interlude, another helpful Jordanian gentlement told me what I needed. I phoned Dawn and asked her to bring down my passport and the paper I had been given by ...