Spotlight : Saudi Arabia

Three years ago, I would have never imagined that I would be sitting here not only blogging, but writing a post about Saudi Arabia of all places. The day I found out my dad was moving temporarily overseas to work on his dream project, our entire family spent hours on the phone together with an even 50/50 mix of emotions: 50% crying, 50% laughing. My first two questions were "Is it safe?" and "Is mom going?" The answers were "yes" and "hell no," respectively.

Although Saudi Arabia is a safe country, today it is still challenging for women to be independent and my mother, a redheaded business owner, is not an ideal candidate to live in an oppressive country. However, about half of the ex-patriots ("expats") that work for my dad's company, Parsons Corporation, choose to have their families move overseas with them. Luckily for the other half who live apart for a few years, Skype and Slingbox allow families to talk anywhere, anytime... and watch live cable. Saudi Arabia is 8-9 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (depending on daylight savings).

In addition to these modern luxuries, my dad and his friends have found a happy medium between the Middle East and the Western world in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia- a medium-sized port town located a few hours north of Jeddah on the beaches of the Red Sea. What did Rascal Flatts sing? "Flip flops, tans, and some white sand, I know the perfect spot"? Must have been singing about Yanbu.

The number one question I am always asked is how often we get to see him. Surprisingly and luckily, I see him as much and talk to him more often now than I did in college. His company flies him home twice per year and anywhere in Europe twice per year, so my mom gets to reap one of the biggest perks of having to live away from her husband: two-week trips over the pond. So far, she's gotten to check off France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Amsterdam is on deck this Spring. I hope to go visit one more time before he returns to the states (in the next year or two).

We email each other about as much as I text with my friends, so he can keep us updated on all of his thrilling and exotic happenings. A year as an expat in Yanbu goes a little something like this:

Pretend those camels are as abundant as cows in the Midwest
and you've got yourself farm animals along your drives out of town.
The Saudi people take much pride in their camels.
If you're asking yourself "I wonder if they have camel racing?"
You would be correct.
I quote Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities:
"Few things in Arabian culture are as exciting as the camel races."


I present to you: camel racing.

Time for business and speaking to investors during the Saturday-Wednesday work week.

Friday is the Kingdom's holy day, thus their weekends are Thursday and Friday,
the only country in the world that observes this.
He and his friends have coined, "TAIW: Thank Allah It's Wednesday."


An air view of dad's city center/waterfront development project.
They have in-house, full-time translators.


Family will want to come to you to go skiing at Ski Dubai,
an indoor, 22,500 square meters ski resort in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
(skis, poles, and jackets provided onsite, so yes, everyone is matching).
Although Dubai is located on the Arabian Peninsula, it is not a part of Saudi Arabia.
Dubai is a city-state of the United Arab Emirates
(seven emirates in total make up the Southeastern corner of the peninsula).


Wearing an abaya, thobe, or jeans,
keeping the beaches tidy during Parsons' annual beach clean up.
Saudis strictly follow the principles of hijab (modesty).
Typically, women wear abayas, a black cloak that covers head to toe
and men wear a thobe, an ankle length robe-like garment with long sleeves.
It is not expected for expats to wear these.


The local grocery store: HyperPanda.
But plan accordingly! No shopping during call to prayer,
which is five times per day.

Dad was lucky enough to be selected as Santa 2012.
Some friends packed a Santa suit for the move for their children.

Two proud members and co-founders of Yanbu's
"Polar Bear Plunge Club" on New Year's Day.
Sign reads: "Air 81* Water 80*"
Daredevils.

Last August, dad celebrated his two year Saudiversary and will decide later this year whether or not to sign on for a fourth year. Our family has learned so much about this part of the world through his experience. To me, he is a living example of the expression, "follow your dreams and shoot for the stars," and lucked out with a loving, strong, and supportive wife. Mom and dad, you are my بطل (hero).

This post is in loving memory of my dad's neighbor's cat 

who is, as was explained to him in broken English, "finished."

[photo sources: Geographic Guide, Telegraph, dad, Mrs. WRCIV]