Another week has gone by and I am still here, in Jeddah. It has been an interesting week filled with teaching and learning, surprises and disappointments. Some of the good things included new furniture, time spent with friends, and eating healthier. Some of the bad has been the same-ol’ same-ol’.
First, some of the good: I know I mentioned it before, maybe on one of the social media websites, but I picked up some furniture from IKEA. Being my first time EVER purchasing anything from IKEA (and it being my first time to step inside an IKEA, weeks prior), I have to say that I am very pleased with the items. I was a tad bit worried about rumors I had heard in the past. Furniture breaking easily, items missing pieces, items that are not up to snuff… But, so far so good!
I especially like my new computer desk. It is large, with lots of space for me to clutter up with randomness ^,^
As for some of the bad: If any of you have heard me complain before (which would most likely limit it to those I speak to regularly here, in Jeddah), you will already know what my gripes are. For those of you who are unaware – and actually read my blogging – KSA has some interesting habits the locals follow which drive this expatriate crazy!
First, the cars… Oh goodness, the cars. Where do I even begin with this. First, driving here is not normal. It is not a sport; it is not even sanity – It Is Survival! I have heard it is slightly worse in India and Egypt, but I couldn’t really imagine it being too much worse. For my American, Japanese, and other non-Saudi friends reading this, imagine what would happen if no traffic laws were ever enforced… EVER. Sure, they have some red light cameras. People do stop at [most] red lights, but beyond that, you better be on your A-game 24/7.
As a former pedestrian in Japan, I loved being able to travel anywhere in the city, the prefecture, even the country, with little to no hassle. People were respectful and obedient, adhering to the traffic laws. I could easily ride my bike around, avoiding the occasional crazy driver, and blind spots where sidewalks and pavement intersect. I just had to be relatively alert. But in Jeddah… I would never dare ride a bicycle and fear for my life anytime I must cross a street. I have actually had people veer TOWARDS me as I was crossing the road.
WTF??!
Anyways, couple that with parking. Here, and in some ways similar to Japan, parking is an art form. If you can create a spot, then there is a spot. But in this country, it is taken to a whole new level! If you can create a spot, then there is a spot. If you cannot create a spot, then there is a spot. For example, just this afternoon, I went with my friend Emad to enjoy Starbucks and conversation at the area mall in Sulymaniah. As we were trying to find a legitimate parking spot, we came across this one part where a car decided to park in the roadway. Parked in such a way that only compact cars could get by with some risk. Emad’s car had no hope. This was horribly inconvenient, but for that driver, who was not in his vehicle, it must have been pretty swank.
Ugh… Anyways, I will have to talk more on this another time. It is getting very late and I need my beauty sleep. Not sure why, though. With a face like this…
