Today marks the first day of my second year of contract, the Arabic calender being 11 days shorter than our western calender. It's hard to believe that time flies by so fast, must be my age. Clearly it is time to take stock of what I have learned during my sojourn in the Magic Kingdom. But first let us dwell briefly on this past weekend, the last weekend of my first contract year.
Remember that Jeddah sits on the Red Sea, the most northen tropical sea.
I stayed up late wednesday night as Joy was getting on a 0230 flight (thursday am) on Lufthansa to Philadelphia for a visit with her family.
My alarm was set for 0530 to get my coffee and get ready for an early morning pickup to get to the dive base, where the dive boats are moored, in North Jeddah. Despite the lack of sleep the endorphins can be raised with the thoughts of a sea & dive adventure on a bright sunny day. Fortunately after checking in, the dive boat was supplied with coffee, as well as other liquids and food (including donuts). Most of the divers were expats from the hospital with a few from other venues. Clearly an important source of community in a foreign land with very different customs.
A sister dive boat heading out to the horizon. We are headed to a string of coral reefs about 15 to 20 km offshore. Despite the Red Sea having some extremely deep waters it is these strings of coral reefs, so far from shore, that puts ship navigation at risk - hence the large number of ship wrecks. Today our first dive site is to a small steel tramp freighter about 20 km offshore, sitting in about 90 to 100 feet of water, off the side of a reef. The dive was beautiful, watching our bubbles bouncing off the sunken hull when swimming below its "usual waterline". One day I vow to get an underwater camera.
My dive gear ready to go - a reef can be seen in the background, close to the horizon. Also note this far offshore one sees a horizon of water for 360 degrees, no land in site - a true sense of being away from it all.
The dive boat is simple and functional - room for personal day trip items, a head (toilet) in the bow, dive equipment and of course food and drinks. Equally important in this part of the world is the shade in the cabin (pictured here) as well as on the covered fly bridge (above this cabin top).
After visiting two dive sites we are headed home, about a two hour trip on this day. On route we saw a group of dolphins. A great day, followed by 12 hours of sleep! A great way to finish my first year of contract in the Magic Kingdom.
However to also enjoy the sea side location of Jeddah one does not have to go offshore. Although one thinks of this as a desert kingdom, where more adventures can be had, it is bounded on two coasts by the sea. With water in my veins there are other watery escapes from the hot urban landscape.
Private beaches, such as Silver Sands here, are available for a small fee.
A dip off "Silver Sands" - the water is very warm here in the summer, but still refreshing (remember the outside temperatures are commonly in the low 40's C in the summer).
Wading off the beach can be a time to ponder, of this past year, of the sense of community that one makes to survive, to keep ones quality of life as a transient visitor in this foreign kingdom with its strict cultural rules.
In our apartment building, of mostly expats, at times its like going back in time, with memories of dorm parties, and impromptu gatherings. Our "costumes" are not just reserved for Halloween! It is this sense of community that becomes a strong fabric in our lives here. In some ways we can all learn from that, no matter where we reside.
The result of an impromptu gathering - are they having fun yet? A group of Swedish, Danish, Irish, American and Canadian expats (some out of camera range). Away from home the exchanges of nationalities & cultures adds spice to our lives.
And yes there is ample time for quieter pursuits, where I have had time to do more reading and to catch up with many of the recent movies through buying & borrowing pirated DVD's (note there are no cinemas in the Magic Kingdom).
Then of course, as part of the expat life, there is the lure of travel. This scene is evening in Bodrum, Turkey. Fortunately Europe, Africa, and Asia are all within easy flying distance, and with nearly two months holiday a year, expats believe travel is an important part of living in this part of the world.
So what else have we learned from our time in the Magic Kingdom?
There are three seasons: hot, hotter, and hottest.
There is very little rain, maybe 3 or 4 rain falls this past winter. When it does rain, schools & businesses close early in Jeddah as there is a significant risk of flooding (see earlier Blog).
During Prayer times (five times a day) all businesses close (for about 30 minutes) - shopping and going to restaurants therefore have to be carefully timed.
Camel races are more popular than horse races.
While driving, street lane markers, stop signs, speed limits, and places to park are guidelines only. It is not uncommon to have four cars abreast on a three lane road!
I can get my haircut at 1030 pm, and usually do, before going to bed.
Masalama ("good bye") parties are common, as all of us expats are visitors staying for varying periods of time. The two edged sword of the expat community, meeting new people regularly but also saying good bye to many friends who become scattered across the globe.
And finally to beware of someone saying "Bukra Inshalla" when you ask them to do something, as it means "tomorrow if God wills"!
Yes a year in "perspective", now for new adventures.
