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In a place by the sea

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With only three weeks of school under our belts, we were off for a week so that the majority of our students could celebrate Eid with their families. Family is obviously important in Arabic culture - you see children with their parents everywhere. While some of the more religious Muslim children told me of their trip during the break to the holy sites of Medina and Mecca, the majority of Arab children told me of gatherings with family members. Expat families like ours took the opportunity to travel away from the confines of the compound, even if it was just to the next big town.

Jeff tried out his driving skills in the fast pace of Saudi highways (often 120kms/hr) in the car we are thinking about buying second hand - a Volvo station wagon. We have not seen one other such car here, but feel confident with its tank-like body and reputation for safety, so may be proud owners when our iqama papers are finally processed, allowing us (well, Jeff) to get a legal Saudi driver's license. Our colleague Meg Porter, counselor at Jubail School, accompanied the three of us to the grand Saudi Aramco compound in Ras Tanura, about 40 minutes from Jubail. We had been invited to house and dog sit at the home of man we met at the house church we attend in RT. Besides the house's fantastic beach-front location, the main attraction was that it was down the street from a family with three teenagers from Cole's school in Dhahran. The Glomskis, interestingly enough are kin to the Endos, whom we taught with in Woodstock School in India.
Cole and Friends
So for 5 glorious days, we slept late, snorkeled around a nearby reef in the Arabian Gulf (formerly the Persian Gulf) or lazily went on shell hunts along the shore, watched movies, read books, shopped for fresh fish and fruits and veggies in nearby Rahima, and had big family dinners at the Glomski's. We had a huge crowd in for a movie night (we saw Salt - what an exciting spy thriller) complete with popcorn and floats. Meg took advantage of the compounds rule that allows women to drive (she reminded me of Mr. Toad and his wild ride!) and I baked to my hearts content. Oh and did I mention the Eid celebration on the beach with a camel ride? Dog Molly was happy to have us there to spoil her and pet her whenever she wanted. All of us had a great time. Can't wait until we can do it again.
Eid Festival on the beach
Eid Festival at Ras Tanura










Life at our compound at Desert Palms is sometimes trying, so the occasional escape to another place is welcome. When we are "legal" with iqama in hand, we can travel out of country - and the first stop is Bahrain. But more about that when it happens.

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