Observations from our first (working) year in Saudi Arabia part II

Lamb lunch in the Ta'if mountains

• Saudis love the banter. They love to joke and laugh loudly. From what I've experienced so far they have a fantastic outlook on life...Masha'Allah! 

• The Americanization of the average Saudi was not something I had factored in before coming here. Be it the overt fascination with the States and its culture, the heavily Americanized accents and words, or their obsession with American vehicles etc. Although very much in the minority here, it's still quite disconcerting to hear a Saudi speak in a bastardized southern Californian drawl and have them use all the linguistic oddities of an average American.

• I find it funny and annoying how it's presumed if you're white here, you have to be American. Thus far (after telling people I'm Irish) I've been put down as Norwegian, Russian, Canadian and American, and of course the classic, "oh Ireland, you're Irish?, so you're from the U.K.?"

• Jeddah (and its airport) is and will continue to be an absolute madhouse/assault on the senses.  

• Saudis (understandably so) and a staggering amount of expats have no clue of Irish history or tradition. The expats especially have a very narrow and somewhat 'backward' view of Ireland. I enjoy watching people mouths drop and their expressions change when you tell them there's historic sites in Ireland older than the pyramids/Stonehenge, that we have our own language, that we're a republic and not part of the U.K., the history of Northern Ireland etc.

• Having finally seen some of the Saudi countryside I was amazed by both the scenery and the kindness of the people you encounter.

In finishing, below is a cross-section of questions and reactions we've had when we go home, or chat with other friends from around the world.

• You are living there? Why? 
• How do they treat their women?
• Does Cilla have to wear the veil?
• How warm is it?
• Are you near Dubai?
• What's life like in Dubai?
• Anywhere you can have a pint out there?
• Have you seen any camels?

Going by our families and friends (who are heavily influenced by the western media) we were labeled as nut-jobs for coming out here. It's funny to think how far we've come from the frightened anxious couple who boarded that night-time flight from Jeddah to London.

The majority of our fears and wayward notions of the region (and people) have thankfully been put to rest...under the label nonsense. That's not to say there is a fair amount of nuisances about how life operates over here. It can be (at times) unbelievably frustrating and mind blogging baffling for the average pampered western.

However, we've been more than happy with our first year in KSA and have met something lovely, talented and warm people. We're constantly humbled by the warmth and courtesy of the average Saudi. Anyway enough of my rambling...we're all off on a summer holiday ma'a salama habibi's!