Saudi Arabia

[nikkik]

Anyone lived/been to Saudi Arabia? Anyone have any suggestions for interesting things to do there?

[mystress]

nikkik,

Holiday in Saudi fine!

I cannot say what to see on hols as I ahven't been there,but I don't think there is much.You cannot (obviously) enter the Holy City of Mecca(only Moslems can).

However living there,forget it! It's a strictly non alcoholic country,and is also controlled by strict Islamic Religious Laws.Enforced especially on the Moslem Sabbath by Religious Police.On that day either you stay indoors(if Christian etc) or if Moslem you attend Mosque.

There are lots more laws like this,but Google and you will find it very enlightening!

[Pinotage]

Holiday?

You can't just catch a plane to Saudi. You need a visa. They don't welcome casual tourists. I've been twice on business and to get a visa I needed an invitation from the local chamber of commerce.

To live there you surely are working or the partner of a worker. There are two main places foreigners work, Riyadh and - forgotten - but in the current security situation westerners are keeping their head down.

[nikkik]

Many thanks for your answers. I actually already live in Saudi Arabia (have done so for the past year and a half) and enjoyed it at first but these days we are getting a bit bored - been to the desert, been to all the kiddies funparks, kids go swimming frequently but what else...? Contemplating visiting Abha (south west-ish) which is supposed to be very nice but haven't had the opportunity yet. Wondering what ex-expats or current expats would recommend.

It really isn't as bad there as you might think mystress! I have barely noticed the religious police (mutawwa) and in some ways they do a good job - they are good when youth are around trying to harass ladies. I think there are two sides to every coin; they do have a bit of a reputation but on the other hand they can be handy guys to have around!

Fridays are really not Sundays in the UK. All the food places are open except during the prayer time and the shops/amusements all open after 4pm until very late as the Saudis are real night owls.

 

Hoping for more answers... :)

[mystress]

Ah you naughty boy niknik! you lulled us into a sense of false security,we thought we were experts telling you(the naive one) and really it was the other way around! LOL

[nikkik]

LOL, mystress. It wasn't my intention though :) . By the way way it's nikkik not niknik so I am not a boy but female ;) !