Cara Louise's Blog, page 4
December 19, 2014
19th December 2014
End of first full week. Filled with various talks from different people in the organisation, doing speaking tests and grammar test with prospective students. The Saudi women all seem very nice, some very shy, some wearing full niqab.
Went nervously alone to the enormous Rashid mall, trying not to get lost as I looked for the Ladies Shopping Area and a hairdresser. Found it more by serendipitous accident than design, though getting back to the Carrefoure Supermarket was a bit trickier and I had to ask for directions from a Scottish lady and a Saudi man who came over to help. Felt it was quite an achievement when I actually managed a fringe trim and finally got some decent soy sauce in my weekly shop.
Decided to walk back but it was dark and not sure of the right street I got a taxi though I had to give directions to the Pakistani driver. A wise move, I found out the next day. A girl from my hotel walked back around 8.00 and was followed by a man in a car.
V. tired but got through the first full week intact!
Went nervously alone to the enormous Rashid mall, trying not to get lost as I looked for the Ladies Shopping Area and a hairdresser. Found it more by serendipitous accident than design, though getting back to the Carrefoure Supermarket was a bit trickier and I had to ask for directions from a Scottish lady and a Saudi man who came over to help. Felt it was quite an achievement when I actually managed a fringe trim and finally got some decent soy sauce in my weekly shop.
Decided to walk back but it was dark and not sure of the right street I got a taxi though I had to give directions to the Pakistani driver. A wise move, I found out the next day. A girl from my hotel walked back around 8.00 and was followed by a man in a car.
V. tired but got through the first full week intact!
December 15, 2014
Monday December 15th 2014
Up at 5.00.am. Short meditation and yoga before bus at 6.30 am. Day spent doing placement tests though not as many students turned up as expected. College tour - again. Lots of waiting for Godot. Bus back at 3.30. Yoga. Checked out my 736 TV channels and watched Sidney cafe siege end.
Saudi Arabia from the windows of the bus is a wasteland of half finished building rising up out of deserted ground. The odd date palm and scrubby bit of sparse grass. The weirdest thing is that the streets are empty. The men drive on the vast roads. The women frequent the malls. I've seen 2 cats and 2 birds. No one is to be seen walking around.
Saudi Arabia from the windows of the bus is a wasteland of half finished building rising up out of deserted ground. The odd date palm and scrubby bit of sparse grass. The weirdest thing is that the streets are empty. The men drive on the vast roads. The women frequent the malls. I've seen 2 cats and 2 birds. No one is to be seen walking around.
December 14, 2014
Sunday 14th December
Got ready for bus at 8.30 but ended up sitting there for 30 minutes to find out the time had changed to 10.00. Getting used to this now. So went back to room and had my first cup of cardamon coffee. Different but pleasant. Day spend getting new laptop and induction from IT, Student Services and Deputy Principal. Other teachers a really mixed bag of nationalities, ages and personalities. Everyone very friendly. Long day tomorrow. Bus at 6.30. Argh!
December 13, 2014
Saudi Weekend
Friday - did yoga then walked to Venice Mall in my new black head scarf. Had to wait about 5 mins before I could cross the 2 major roads. Was shut for Friday prayers. Sorted out my stuff and got room organised.
Saturday - got up late. Did yoga, drank copious amounts of tea. Walked to cheap household goods shop which closed for prayers just as I arrived! I'm not very skilled yet at tying my headscarf which kept slipping down to reveal my hair. Waited for 30 mins but it still didn't reopen. Went to Farm Shop next door which was open and to my delight, had everything I wanted and lots of fresh fruit and veg. As I was scooping up the cherries, the lights dimmed and they started closing up too! The checkout guy wasn't fooled by my head covering and spoke to me in English. I need to check this prayer time thing! Waiting for everywhere to reopen 5 times a day will obviously be a regular occurrence in Saudi. Walked past the cheap shop and they were still closed! Anyway I got all my stuff. Spent the afternoon reading through the books I'll be teaching. Not too bad. Very simple. The level of the students will be very basic.
Saturday - got up late. Did yoga, drank copious amounts of tea. Walked to cheap household goods shop which closed for prayers just as I arrived! I'm not very skilled yet at tying my headscarf which kept slipping down to reveal my hair. Waited for 30 mins but it still didn't reopen. Went to Farm Shop next door which was open and to my delight, had everything I wanted and lots of fresh fruit and veg. As I was scooping up the cherries, the lights dimmed and they started closing up too! The checkout guy wasn't fooled by my head covering and spoke to me in English. I need to check this prayer time thing! Waiting for everywhere to reopen 5 times a day will obviously be a regular occurrence in Saudi. Walked past the cheap shop and they were still closed! Anyway I got all my stuff. Spent the afternoon reading through the books I'll be teaching. Not too bad. Very simple. The level of the students will be very basic.
December 11, 2014
Thursday 11th December 2014
Another long day, hearing more about ESG set-up, a lot of waiting around for something to happen. Then even longer trek around Rashid Shopping Mall for me and Irish teacher, Norma, trying to find the phone company for a new sim card, to buy a black headscarf and finally food shop. We got totally lost all the time and finally finished about 8pm - without eating - v. tired. But all the Saudis we asked for directions and help were unfailing courteous and friendly and even walked with us to show the way.
December 10, 2014
Travel to Saudi
Monday 8th December - long trek by National Express coach from Devon to Heathrow. Stayed Premier Inn. Great to be on expenses paid.
Tuesday 9th December - Flew 6-7 hours to Bahrain. Then on by road to Al Khobar. Arrived v. tired at hotel around 11pm. Very luxurious apartment! Bed around 12pm
Wednesday. Up at 6.00. On bus by 7.30. Other teachers trickled in. Arrived and was shown round college then back to hotel as sudden fog meant the other drivers refused to bring the teachers from the compound so we had induction of sorts in foyer. Just admin and check in. Then went to Lulu supermarket with 2 other ts. First impressions of Saudi - surprising normal! No religious police waiting on every corner, no need to wear head scarf, men very courteous so far. One little man rings up your shopping at checkout, another packs it all up for you, the taxi driver helps with bags...little man in hotel so helpful with working the TV, etc. So far, not all the hostile place I'd imagined from all my reading up.
Tuesday 9th December - Flew 6-7 hours to Bahrain. Then on by road to Al Khobar. Arrived v. tired at hotel around 11pm. Very luxurious apartment! Bed around 12pm
Wednesday. Up at 6.00. On bus by 7.30. Other teachers trickled in. Arrived and was shown round college then back to hotel as sudden fog meant the other drivers refused to bring the teachers from the compound so we had induction of sorts in foyer. Just admin and check in. Then went to Lulu supermarket with 2 other ts. First impressions of Saudi - surprising normal! No religious police waiting on every corner, no need to wear head scarf, men very courteous so far. One little man rings up your shopping at checkout, another packs it all up for you, the taxi driver helps with bags...little man in hotel so helpful with working the TV, etc. So far, not all the hostile place I'd imagined from all my reading up.
November 29, 2014
Flying to Saudi
New date for flying to Saudi is 7th December. Once I arrive and get settled (hopefully!) I plan to order some review copies of the paperback version and if anyone would like to write a review, I'll give away a copy of BETRAYED. In the meantime, free Kindle copies are available for anyone who would like to write a short review on Goodreads, Amazon and/or similar. Just send me a message on Facebook, Goodreads or e-mail at caralouise@talk21.com#
November 28, 2014
Waiting for Saudi
Currently I am promoting BETRAYED while I wait for my visa to come though for Saudi Arabia. Making the most of the time to post on the internet before I become a wage slave again- the biggest stopper of the creative flow. While I have time and energy, I am posting on Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon Author Central, and anywhere I can.
