Day 1
We have arrived after an hour and half cheek-in, shitty seats by the galley and some stupid fan a stewardess that spaded half drunk cups of who know what all over our heads and a single apology, a five hour lay over more bad seats all in business class but, a smiling face to greet us at the airport and no customs or immigration. Getting that Diplomat feeling again. We are in Temp quarters and so we have internet and TV already hooked up fabulous in one way and pain that we will have to move again and after the last year I am sick of the suitcase life. Didn't get to see much last night but the airport beautiful and modren. Our temp place is big with quite a bit of natural light and two patios. I'll that photos and post them soon. No food so I unpacked and am waiting for A to get a rental car and hit the local market. We need everything lucky for me the milk is the same brand as in Abu Dhabi so no buy 9 little cartons and choose the one you like best and go with that brand. Peets was delicious this morning with my saudi coffee. I can't really see anything out of my high wall but constructions going on across the street. I think the dogs and I will wander out some time this afternoon to see whats up. For Stephanie from the plane at night it looked like Nebraska all flat, I asked A if it was similar and his reply was yep corn fields as far as he eye can see, no wonder you loved being stationed here. But the corn seem a trifle small and very yellow/orange must be the Saudi type.
Greeting from Riyadh, We should be on Skype tonight our time don't ask me when that is I always manage to call people in the middle of the night.


Day 2
Hit the the small Tamimi supermarket feeling more like at Tayouyou. I sure hope the big one is better, maybe I'll try the Hyper Panda (lets see if the bear needs Rydalin or just a push out of a tree)or the Al-Jazerra next time. Would really like to buy fresh good fruits and veggie's, at least we rode in style in an armored SUV with lights and a siren the drive used when traffic got heavy. I don't feel that makes Americans look very good though. I saw no, zero, zilch, not one female on the streets and only handful in the market.... strange.... After dinner a walk in the Diplomat Quarter our new home was in order and again no people out walking and a few cars passed us. Amazing in the middle of a hugh city and it feels like the country side trees and all. Where are the people? Or did Armageddon just happen and we missed? We are ready for an early night after the two days of travel and hope to have arrived in Riyadh time by the end of the weekend on Saturday, yes again Thursday- Friday weekend like Abu Dhabi till they got a stock market and had to conform to everyone else in the world.


Day 3
Heading to the Commissary for a shopping trip. No more $7 boxes of cereal-A, and over priced western goods


Day 4
Excitement for today consisted of no water for 5 hours and learning how to change a water tank with a large hole into. Next I'll take on the broken dishwasher after I future out how to get all the water out of it.


Day 5
A's off for 3 days to play in the sand box with his new friends, so I think I'll spend the day taking photos of the new neighborhood and make a few fix it calls. Beautiful morning sunny birds chirping and only about 80 and dry dry dry. Yeah no more humidity and feeling sticky. Bought my first Abaya this morning jeeeeehaaadah! I called motor pool and a driver came right over, this is service, and took me to out shopping. We had to visit 2 stores to get just the right one, size tent. They are made of all sorts of fabrics unknown to the average man or woman, they don't wrinkle no matter what you do to them and cover you from the neck down. I show a little leg getting out of the SUV because I haven't mastered the art of exiting from a vehicle yet. Note to self I must sign up for that lesson. They come in all sorts of styles with lace, bling or colorful appliqués. The sleeves also have choices as does a little bling down the front. I asked for a hot pink one but as of yet they only come in black maybe I'll try next week again. After a little bargaining, I got a plain one, nothing modern or a new style or even colorful decorations for 80SR down from 100. I have no idea if I got a bargain or not. Then on to Hyper Panda defiantly my new grocery store the small Tamimi has nothing on this one, big clean modern and almost empty early in the morning 10:30am facility. Just as I got in the door after being dropped off by the driver who brought in my purchases there was a knock on my door. Drum roll, it was my twice weekly maid that comes with my temporary quarters yeah yeah yeah. I hate to clean floors!