OUCH!!

This is why you have to watch what you pick up to buy!!!  OUCH!!

Price conversions are below.

 $19.20 US for Gold Fish (This was $6.50 at Wal-mart this month)

$13.00 and $10.00 for the Wheat Thins

$17.00 for the little box of tomatoes. 

Hubbly Bubbly Bar

We stumbled upon this huka/hubbly bubbly shop in the souk area of Al Khobar.  It had some very pretty pipes.

Sultan Garden Center

Sultan Garden Center is a large garden store that sells plants, potters, out door furniture, fountains and more.  It is an impressive store.  

 

 

 

Garden Plants

There are numerous garden shops but these outside ones by the Al Rashid Mall are fun to visit.

 

Ghutra

Can you tell the difference? Ghutra are the scarfs worn my Saudi men on their heads.  This is from a shop in the souk area of Khobar.  

Wheelie Motorcycle Really???

On the Cornish we saw a motorcycle doing a wheelie.  It passed us on Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque Road and continued to do the wheelie.  I wish I had a better picture!!  You don't see Saudi's on motocycles here.  Might have something to do with the bad driving and not wanting to be killed on one.

Terror is Back with a Bang!

This is from the souk area in Khobar.  It doesn't matter where you go kids seem to like graffiti.  

Cold & Wet...

If you have the thought like I did that its a desert over here so why bother bring an umbrella and coat rethink your decision.  It is currently 52 degrees and raining!! Yes that's right it feels like Portland or Seattle not Saudi Arabia!  In fact a good portion of the Saudi schools closed today because of the weather.  The Dhahran Aramco schools were open.   Here is the article from the Arab News about the school closures.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article540030.ece

Schools in some areas closed after Met warning for Tuesday

Motorists drive gingerly during a drizzle on a Buraidah road on Monday. Other parts of the Kingdom, including Jeddah, also experienced moderate rain. (SPA)

By MD RASOOLDEEN | ARAB NEWS

Published: Nov 29, 2011 01:49 Updated: Nov 29, 2011 01:51

RIYADH: The Ministry of Education has declared a holiday on Tuesday for all schools in Riyadh, Qassim, Hail and in the Eastern Province.

The ministry issued the directive as a precautionary measure following Presidency of Meteorology and Environment Protection (PME) projections of expected inclement weather conditions in these areas from Monday night.

The decision was taken following reports and warnings from the PME that thunderstorms and heavy rains were expected in these regions during the next 24 hours from Monday night, said Ministry of Education spokesman Mohammed Saad Al-Dukhaini.

Al-Dukhaini added that the notice of closure was being issued only to schools in these four regions and applied to students, teachers and administrative staff.

Mosaed Al-Mujahid, the ministry’s supervisor of foreign and community schools in Riyadh, told Arab News that the ministry took the decision to stop students and teachers having to commute to schools in potentially hazardous conditions. However, he added that schools would reopen on Wednesday.

The International Indian School in Dammam (IISD) Principal Mohammad Shaffe said following the directive from the government they immediately decided to close the school on Tuesday. The school has notified parents.

A spokesman from the PME in Jeddah said heavy rains and strong winds of up to 45 km per hour were expected in Riyadh, Qassim, Hail and in the Eastern Province.

Tamimi Safeway

The Tamimi or Safeway on the Corniche had a transformation over the summer.  We knew they were updating it but I never imagined it would be as nice as it has turned out.  It is like walking into a U.S. Safeway!!!  It is very very nice!!!  When I first returned I was not sure I was even in the correct spot.  The new building looks nothing like the old both inside and outside.  They have done an amazing job!  

 Outside

 

Fruit/Vegetable Section 

 Deli

Deli Meats 

 Olive counter

 Cakes

Fish market behind glass so you don't have to smell it!

 

 Meat counter 

 Meets from U.S. Brazil and more

 U.S. Cereals

 

 

 

Driving

Driving in Saudi Arabia has been characterized as some of the worst in the world.  Remember that females can not drive here only males.  This is the only country in the world where that occurs so you can't blame it on bad women drivers. They drive on the shoulders, lanes don't mean anything or the speed limit.   These videos give you an idea but as always the best examples are never caught on camera.   Just look on youtube for more examples. 

SACO World

The new Saco World has opened at Dhahran Mall.  It is MASSIVE!!!!  Two stories that are bigger then a Super Walmart or Target.  The old Saco was basically an ACE Hardware.  Selling ACE brand paints, tools, etc.  The new Saco World still carries that but is so much more!!!  I do not have a good comparison to it from a store in the States.  It has all the home improvement things like a Lowes but then carries toys, and kitchen stuff like a Walmart/Target but still goes further carrying toys.  It is amazing.  Anything you could need for a home they have, cleaning supplies, home improvement, exercise, bathroom cabinets, tools, chairs, sofas, coffee tables, patio furniture, lawn equipment and more.  This place has it all and makes life so much easier!!  No more going to the souk to hunt down a screw!  As an added bonus it is close!!!  Less than five minutes from Dhahran camp.  It will take you longer to get out of the camp then to get to the SACO World!!!  YEAH!!!!  No if only they would sell wood we would have it made!  

 Esculators

 Bathroom Stuff & More

 Games/ Exercise Equipment

 Furniture

 Grills, Chair Section

Lawn Section/ Kitchen Section 

 Barbies, Bikes & Pools