Well, just got back (close to a month ago) from Saudi Arabia, finally liberated from my contractual obligations.
I thought it would be interesting to share my views and experiences abroad, in this really different universe that is the Saudi Arabian culture.
The salary is highly advantageous... however the leisure venues are something to consider if you ever wish to work in that part of the world. Be ready to recluse yourself if you wish to work in that country. They advise you that it is better for you to stay within the limits of the foreigner compounds, with good reason! Those of you that have worked there will understand what I mean.
My contract paid me on an annual basis, with bonus monthly deposits geared at helping take care of some basic expenses that I might have. Rent is covered, traveling, etc... The point is that you make money, lots of it, but there is no way to spend it since your time is split between work and other social activities that the SA organizes to keep you busy. All in all, it's a very lucrative business experience.
The company maintains facilities for foreigners across their working empire. My spot was Ras Tanura, and later Dhahran, nice family oriented environments, designed by SA to be highly satisfying for those with nothing else in mind but work and money. SA is a highly religious country that definitely is very closed on may things that we "foreigners" take for granted. Of course, there are the supermarkets, bowling alleys, theaters etc... but at each step, you feel you are out of place, like some things are definitely missing... it doesn't take long before you feel the control that is applied to support and communicate the Islamic message and the overhead eye of the Saudi royal family. From controlled imports to how and when you should do things... anyway, you get the point. I was there to fill my pockets with green, so I was ready for this.
After a while, I really longed for female companionship. Bare in mind that in SA, alcohol or sex can get you in incredible trouble. I never discussed anything relating to sex with my coworkers, since you don't know who you can trust. And asking a local is not an option either, since whatever happens, the local will always, always, always have the upper hand and the last word on you with the authorities. This being said, there are times when you tell yourself that the excitement of something forbidden highly arouses the senses, and that you wish you could get some booty! there are the occasional flings that you can get with coworkers, but they are rare and without real substance.
I can't say I have something wrong to mention about my experience there. Within the organized communities, life is simple and nothing goes wrong except if you look for trouble. Many coworkers had their wife with them, so they didn't really feel the difference with working there, or in their native lands. However for the wives it was a different tale, but that is another story.
One day, a coworker and I are walking back from work, and are stopped by a woman. Presented herself: Lenka, 26 yo German, about 5'6, 120lb, green eyes and short brown hair. Said she was working in SA for the last 6 months as a translator, lonely, missing home, friends... after 15 minutes of this, she discreetly asked us if we were lonely and if we wished for some company. My coworker was married and declined, frowning to the idea. I also declined, and we walked away. Once I had parted with my colleague, I hurried back to where we had encountered the German girl. She was still there, and showed a really nice warm smile when she noticed me walking back to her. I asked her what she was really looking for and she replied that she was working. Nothing more needed to be said! I invited her to my place for tea.
She spent the next 3 hours with me, and left in a hurry. One of the best f**** of my life... An all around the world trip, with all the side orders I could think of. I imagine the sex was great, especially since I was without any fun for such a long time. the 500 US was definitely well spent in that circumstance!
A few weeks later, I saw her walking with her husband (or some kind of SO). I simply avoided any type of contact and decided it was better this way. Was she simply a bored wife with crazy fantasies? Was it also her way to make the Saudi experience a lucrative one for herself as well? I will never know. All I know is that I would have never tried to hook up with the local girls (that is suicide!), so her appearance at that point of my life was appreciated! I had overheard colleagues that there were some SPs on the Dhahran compound. But the thought of Saudi Aramco people finding me with one truly made my Mr. Happy feel small and shrink to oblivion, fueled with the words of the liaison people that had greeted me when I had arrived, warning me of the potential problems and dangers of sex with SPs and alcohol use in SA. It was my first and only paid experience there.
Now, you can't imagine how happy I am to be back here in good ol' Canada eh! The day after my arrival, I was already meeting with one of my favorites. Would I go back to SA for work? Probably not. I did my time. The money might be good, but it's not worth the isolation, IMHO. Life is too short!
Regards!
I thought it would be interesting to share my views and experiences abroad, in this really different universe that is the Saudi Arabian culture.
The salary is highly advantageous... however the leisure venues are something to consider if you ever wish to work in that part of the world. Be ready to recluse yourself if you wish to work in that country. They advise you that it is better for you to stay within the limits of the foreigner compounds, with good reason! Those of you that have worked there will understand what I mean.
My contract paid me on an annual basis, with bonus monthly deposits geared at helping take care of some basic expenses that I might have. Rent is covered, traveling, etc... The point is that you make money, lots of it, but there is no way to spend it since your time is split between work and other social activities that the SA organizes to keep you busy. All in all, it's a very lucrative business experience.
The company maintains facilities for foreigners across their working empire. My spot was Ras Tanura, and later Dhahran, nice family oriented environments, designed by SA to be highly satisfying for those with nothing else in mind but work and money. SA is a highly religious country that definitely is very closed on may things that we "foreigners" take for granted. Of course, there are the supermarkets, bowling alleys, theaters etc... but at each step, you feel you are out of place, like some things are definitely missing... it doesn't take long before you feel the control that is applied to support and communicate the Islamic message and the overhead eye of the Saudi royal family. From controlled imports to how and when you should do things... anyway, you get the point. I was there to fill my pockets with green, so I was ready for this.
After a while, I really longed for female companionship. Bare in mind that in SA, alcohol or sex can get you in incredible trouble. I never discussed anything relating to sex with my coworkers, since you don't know who you can trust. And asking a local is not an option either, since whatever happens, the local will always, always, always have the upper hand and the last word on you with the authorities. This being said, there are times when you tell yourself that the excitement of something forbidden highly arouses the senses, and that you wish you could get some booty! there are the occasional flings that you can get with coworkers, but they are rare and without real substance.
I can't say I have something wrong to mention about my experience there. Within the organized communities, life is simple and nothing goes wrong except if you look for trouble. Many coworkers had their wife with them, so they didn't really feel the difference with working there, or in their native lands. However for the wives it was a different tale, but that is another story.
One day, a coworker and I are walking back from work, and are stopped by a woman. Presented herself: Lenka, 26 yo German, about 5'6, 120lb, green eyes and short brown hair. Said she was working in SA for the last 6 months as a translator, lonely, missing home, friends... after 15 minutes of this, she discreetly asked us if we were lonely and if we wished for some company. My coworker was married and declined, frowning to the idea. I also declined, and we walked away. Once I had parted with my colleague, I hurried back to where we had encountered the German girl. She was still there, and showed a really nice warm smile when she noticed me walking back to her. I asked her what she was really looking for and she replied that she was working. Nothing more needed to be said! I invited her to my place for tea.
She spent the next 3 hours with me, and left in a hurry. One of the best f**** of my life... An all around the world trip, with all the side orders I could think of. I imagine the sex was great, especially since I was without any fun for such a long time. the 500 US was definitely well spent in that circumstance!
A few weeks later, I saw her walking with her husband (or some kind of SO). I simply avoided any type of contact and decided it was better this way. Was she simply a bored wife with crazy fantasies? Was it also her way to make the Saudi experience a lucrative one for herself as well? I will never know. All I know is that I would have never tried to hook up with the local girls (that is suicide!), so her appearance at that point of my life was appreciated! I had overheard colleagues that there were some SPs on the Dhahran compound. But the thought of Saudi Aramco people finding me with one truly made my Mr. Happy feel small and shrink to oblivion, fueled with the words of the liaison people that had greeted me when I had arrived, warning me of the potential problems and dangers of sex with SPs and alcohol use in SA. It was my first and only paid experience there.
Now, you can't imagine how happy I am to be back here in good ol' Canada eh! The day after my arrival, I was already meeting with one of my favorites. Would I go back to SA for work? Probably not. I did my time. The money might be good, but it's not worth the isolation, IMHO. Life is too short!
Regards!
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