An expatriate working in Saudi Arabia just prior to 9/11.
Early in 1999 I decided to answer an advertisement for Telecommunication Consultants to work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Now to be honest with you, I had to look the place up on a map. I knew it was somewhere over there, but I wasn’t quite sure.
The application process was long and tedious and I should have realized that that was how business was done over there.
Here’s my story, my journal, my ramblings.
I stopped writing regularly, because of the boredom, sometime in August 2000.
Today I received my visa back from the Saudi Embassy in Ottawa. I will be attempting to call STC and arrange the airline tickets. I still don’t feel like I’m going. I’m stressed out still and need to find a way to relax.
I feel like a lost puff of smoke
Drifting on the night sky
Torn apart by the needs of others
With nothing to say
Finally off to Saudi. The weather in Victoria was really strange. Cool, windy, sunny, cloudy, rainy. Couldn’t make up its mind. The flight to Calgary was on a Dash 8., a Mixmaster with seats. Rattled and vibrated all the way. Ah… Air Canada, nevermore. I can’t get all excited about this trip. Something in the back of my mind won’t allow me to accept it. My premonitions have never been right, so I guess I’m in for a great time.
Turmoil is brewing inside me
I have felt the need to flee
Am I running from
Or to the need?
At the Calgary airport I was able to upgrade my ticket to business class and spent some time in the Empress lounge watching hockey. I drank a beer and my allergies attacked.
It’s raining here in Calgary
Dark grey skies weeping for something lost
Am I off to an exciting adventure?
Or off my rocker?
Just finished dinner on board Canadian Airlines flight to England. What a difference from coach. Nice seats smooth flight. I should be able to snooze.
Time marches on as we change time zones
Flying over the arctic without any homes
A sight not seen
A view to be imagined
Excellent flight from Canada. Great service, food, quiet and comfortable. London airport was fogged in and we didn’t see anything coming in. Rain in Victoria, Calgary and London. Does this mean anything?
Bleak and dank
Is this the whole World?
If it’s raining in Riyadh
Has the world sank?
Excellent flight on a new 777 in Business class. ½ hour out of Riyadh and I am exhausted.
Feeling positive about the move
I know I will do great
Perhaps this goes to show
That it’s never too late
Hot hot hot. Excellent air conditioning in the room. Got in at 10:15pm last night. They lost my small bag and I should be able to get it in a day or so. Customs took some of my computer disks, like ghost and lap-link. I suppose they thought there might be porno on them. Didn’t touch my laptop. I’ll get them back tonight or tomorrow when I go and get my bag. There is a guy, Roger, from Montreal who is starting with ST today too. We are about to go and have breakfast.
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