Campus Sights

I took some pictures with a friend today. We went to the university and tried to capture some of the decorations in preparation for Ramadan celebration, which kicks off tomorrow night. The pictures don't even begin to do this place justice. We also went to the beach, where I'll begin windsurfing, as soon as I can get my hands on a swimsuit (I was so efficient, I packed mine in my shipment and who knows when it will arrive). I can't wait to go kayaking too!

The university buildings are impressive. Covered with solar panels and looming above palm trees, sand, and fountains, they're really quite a sight.

The large mosque is a 2 minute walk from my front steps and is gorgeous. It sits across the street from discovery square, where the campus shops and restaurants are situated. Its festive now because of Ramadan. The light posts are wrapped in colorful cloth, lanterns hang in the sky, and sitting tents have been set up for those who'll gather in the square for celebratory music tomorrow night.

Its tough not drinking water during the day when the temperature soars to 110 degrees, but I have to refrain from food and drink in public for now. It makes my head pound, but out of respect for those fasting in observance of Ramadan, I survive for a few hours, then retreat to my house for some "closet eating and re-hydrating." I wouldn't make a very good Muslim because I like food and water way too much to stop having it for 12 hours a day, one month a year. Plus, I like hugging my dog too much too. They have a great amount of discipline and devotion.

Bowie still loves it here, but his fur is shedding a lot because the only dog food I've been able to get him is Pedigree. I hope to find something better in Jeddah this week. Lots of late nights ahead for Ramadan! Bowie visited a friend's house today and she let him curl up next to her on the couch....he was in heaven. My diamond desert dog has become spoiled. He has his own couch in our house too! What have I done?

Yikes, its late and I have to be up in a few hours. That's all for now...check the pics.

Five Days in the Desert

The arrival at Jeddah Airport couldn't have gone any smoother. I came in on the same flight as three other single female teachers traveling to Saudi Arabia for the first time. Worried Bowie might not make it through customs, I explained to the KAUST meet and greet team (one really nice guy named Mohamed) that his paperwork was complete with the exception of an import permit, which was to be gotten from inside the kingdom. His english was limited and Bowie hadn't showed up at baggage claim yet, so he gave me the okay signal and we both giggled, with the understanding he didn't know what I meant.

Getting through security was a lot of fun. The two security guys chatted with me and another girl while they took our photos and got our fingerprints. The scanner was being stubborn, so one of the guards had to push down on the top of my hand, so the machine could read my prints. I could tell he was uncomfortable doing it and we both giggled. Afterward, they gave us some Arabic gum...think it was Wrigley's. They were both very nice and tried to make us feel comfortable. They made something I imagined would be difficult (not speaking any Arabic) a good time and we all shared a laugh together.

Mohamed walked us over to get our bags and when he saw Bowie's crate arrive, his eyes grew wide and he looked at me with a smile...this is when we really started communicating. He stepped to the side, took out his cell phone, and made a call. Thank goodness I arrived with 3 awesome women who helped me hoist Bowie off the conveyer belt and get his crate onto a baggage trolley. Mohamed came over after the phone call and asked if Bowie was mine. I told him "yeah" and he laughed and talked to Bowie though the crate door. We stumbled through a quick conversation about him, then I pointed to the name-tag on his crate and we both said Bowie. Mohamed got us through customs without any problems. The man he recently called (I assume about Bowie) came over to collect Bowie's paperwork, barely flipped through it, and motioned me through customs and into KSA. My bags weren't searched, nothing was even opened, and nobody gave me a hard time at all. The airport security, customs, and Mohamed were all kind and welcoming and we were out of the airport in 10 minutes. WHAT A BREEZE! On the way out, kids and adults ran over to Bowie's crate, barked at him, asked me his name, and stuck their fingers through to pet him. He was a big hit.

By the way- Bowie loved traveling! His tail was wagging and he was very relaxed, but excited to see me in the airport. Its obvious he tolerated flying fine and had no problems at all...besides being a bit hungry. Truth be told, I think he liked all the attention. He had lots of other dog passengers on the flight to Frankfurt, but made the trip to the middle east in peace and quiet- being he was the only dog watching over passenger baggage.

Bowie and I love where we're living-the townhouse is unbelievable and all of the people I've met who live and work here have been so kind and welcoming. The owner of the grocery wouldn't let me carry my bags home- he made me take a carriage and while still shopping, when he saw my basket was full, he took it from me, put it near the cash register, and got me a new one. Its refreshing and very, very easy living in close proximity such kind people.

A Lebanese maintenance man came to the house to fix a screen door. He was terrified of Bowie and put a chair in front of him to separate the two of them. By the time he left, he was telling Bowie to sit and calling to him. Of course...he forgot to shut the door and Bowie wanted to go home with the guys, so he followed them out, saw my neighbors across the street and ran over to greet them, then took off running toward the King Abdullah mosque which is 50 feet from my front door. I was horrified, grabbed his leash and my shoes and ran out after him.... The maintenance guys (Lebanese man scared of dogs included) called him back. He listened and ran back to my driveway- tail wagging! He really liked the workers and they got a kick out of him too, laughing the whole time and messing with the Lebanese man who didn't want to be near Bowie, and told me the dog was "much too, much too big dog who's legs too long."

The architecture on campus is amazing. There is still a lot construction going on because of the scope of the KAUST project, but even the areas not yet finished have the undeniable promise of spectacular views of the Red Sea. I'm blessed to be a small part of this.

Pictures to come soon...once my shipment arrives. HR said personal shipments should be here next week. I can't wait for my camera, bike, waterbottle, camelback, and some better running shoes to show up and I bet Bowie will be happy to see his crate and bowls.

Thanks for checking in...