Things have been so interesting since our last posting and we have been learning a lot about The Kingdom (Saudi Arabia). We live on the Consulate compound which is very beautiful with green parrots that fly around at sunset; however, it only take 4 minutes to walk from the front gate to the back, so it is tiny. Our house is very old, but big and nice with a cute green front yard. Our UAB arrived a week after we got here and the only reason it took so long was because it went from the US to Sri Lanka then to Saudi. It doesn't make sense but it made it undamaged, and that is the most important thing.
We don't want to paint a picture that this is paradise, because it has a lot of difficulties... but with a positive attitude we can make the best out of anything. It is really difficult for a woman to live here because of all the strict religious laws requiring women to act or look a certain way. Mama Gnome wears an abaya and tries not to look men in the face or to hold Papa Gnomes hands in public. However, it isn't mandatory to wear an abaya because many westener women wear a cardigin (they do get harassed by the locals) but a lot of Saudi women are covered head to toe and all you can see is their eyes. Some of the most restrictive things are that it is illegal for women to drive, no Christian items, no pork, and no alcohol! Also, you have to plan your entire day around prayer call because the shops close for it. Sounds pretty easy to plan the day... well it isn't because they have a prayer call every 2 to 3 hours and since Mama Gnome can't drive we have to coordinate with the motorpool for pick up. It really isn't hard, it just takes some planning thank goodness Mama Gnome is an awesome planner.
We have adjusted to the new life and it is kind of fun. We have already gone shopping at Ikea, found an awesome pecan pie at Tamimi's grocery store, awesome Indian food at LuLu's and the weather here is perfect. The consulate people are very welcoming and throw some great parties. Tonight we are off for a big Thanksgiving dinner the consulate is doing as a group, and Papa Gnome is excited for stuffing! ...more soon!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The First Leg of the Journey to The Kingdom
Well, we can't say the trip so far has been flawless because we have caused some self inflicted drama. Nothing like leaving a bag at Aunt Beach Bunny Gnome's house and not realizing it until we got to the airport. However, we had her super, soon to be, husband swoop into save the day but it still required us to run to the gate, Baby Gnome is heavy!
With our layover in DC we were able to hang out with our dearest friends for lunch. It was amazing to see them and say goodbye (which was sad) but we will see them in Paris in April. We miss them already.
Now traveling with a toddler was a very interesting and a crazy experience which we are now slightly intimidated about doing it again. Baby Gnome really didn't want to go to sleep and she made it known to the entire plane to Frankfurt. The lady in front of us was literally the last person n the plane to turn off her light, and finally we were able to get her to sleep for about 5 hrs of the 8 hr flight. The poor little girl just wanted her own bed and we can't blame her.
Speaking of Frankfurt we have already eaten Schnitzel which will be our last taste of pork for awhile and it was awesome. Additionally, we are staying at the Marriott and they upgraded us to a Jr Suite which included an Entertainment center which had the Motown hits CD collection. Baby Gnome is just dancing around the suite and shaking her little butt as much as she can to artist like Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Commodores. Our favorite so far is "Super Freak" by Rick James, wierd but funny. This hotel has been great and it is right down the road from the natural history muesum called the Senckenburg Muesum. It is a great museum for toddlers to run around and act crazy and a nice park along the way that Baby Gnome got a chance to play in the falling leaves...unlikely she will have that pleasure in the Kingdom :)
We are lying in bed, watching German MTV, drinking our 1/2 liter Franziskaner Weissbiers and eating various pork sandwiches, tomorrow will be an adventure and we are looking forward to it...but not before enjoying our last few hours here!
With our layover in DC we were able to hang out with our dearest friends for lunch. It was amazing to see them and say goodbye (which was sad) but we will see them in Paris in April. We miss them already.
Now traveling with a toddler was a very interesting and a crazy experience which we are now slightly intimidated about doing it again. Baby Gnome really didn't want to go to sleep and she made it known to the entire plane to Frankfurt. The lady in front of us was literally the last person n the plane to turn off her light, and finally we were able to get her to sleep for about 5 hrs of the 8 hr flight. The poor little girl just wanted her own bed and we can't blame her.
Speaking of Frankfurt we have already eaten Schnitzel which will be our last taste of pork for awhile and it was awesome. Additionally, we are staying at the Marriott and they upgraded us to a Jr Suite which included an Entertainment center which had the Motown hits CD collection. Baby Gnome is just dancing around the suite and shaking her little butt as much as she can to artist like Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Commodores. Our favorite so far is "Super Freak" by Rick James, wierd but funny. This hotel has been great and it is right down the road from the natural history muesum called the Senckenburg Muesum. It is a great museum for toddlers to run around and act crazy and a nice park along the way that Baby Gnome got a chance to play in the falling leaves...unlikely she will have that pleasure in the Kingdom :)
We are lying in bed, watching German MTV, drinking our 1/2 liter Franziskaner Weissbiers and eating various pork sandwiches, tomorrow will be an adventure and we are looking forward to it...but not before enjoying our last few hours here!
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