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Fazli: « It is comfortable to live in Riyadh as long as one has a decent wage »

Fazli in Riyadh
Published on 05 November 2014
Fazli, Sri Lankan expat, settled in Riyadh with his family 35 years ago. After his retirement from a long IT consultant career, he has been spending his leisure time in reading, writing, poetry and researching genealogy...

Where do you come from Fazli and what are you doing nowadays?

I am Fazli, from Colombo, in Sri Lanka. I am 66 years old. I have been living and working in KSA since 1979 and my family and I have been extremely comfortable and happy with the environment and life here. I have been involved in IT since 1970, from the old 3GL and punched card days of computing.

Why did you choose to move to Riyadh?

My family ad I came to live and work in Saudi Arabia in 1979. Initially, we came here in Riyadh on a 2 year contract. I had taken up an assignment with Citibank Technology to join their team involved in rolling out new technology solutions to their services. Having worked for the bank for 20 years, I spent another 10 years with the technology division in a private sector corporation.

Are you currently working?

I retired in 2008. I am presently carrying out some private IT consulting in Riyadh through the grapevine.

Have you been able to adapt yourself to the country and to its society?

We don't really feel out of place here as this has become more home than our country of origin since we have lived here for 35 long years. This has been even longer than the time we have spent back home.

How do you find the Saudi lifestyle?

Adaptation is the key. There is so much to share and enjoy here, within the laws of the land, if only one seeks it in the right places and takes a positive step in trying to meet people (other expats) and interact with them.

What has surprised you the most at your arrival?

That was an afternoon in Nov 1979 when I first stepped on to these Arabian lands at Dhahran Airport. The heat was the first thing that hit me. Driving to the hotel from the airport, I was able to capture a land that reminded me of the 1,001 Arabian Nights. Those were my first impressions.

What does your every day life in Riyadh look like?

I usually keep myself busy in reading, writing, poetry, playing Scrabble and Bridge, travel, history, culture, and researching genealogy.

Any particular experience you would like to share with us?

The most shocking experience I encountered during my very first days in Al-Khobar (Eastern Province) was to see the gold shops totally open with not a single salesman inside it when the call for prayer sounded and everyone went to the Mosque to pray.

What is your opinion on the cost of living in Riyadh? Is it easy for an expat to live in the country?

Yes, it is comfortable to live in Riyadh as long as one has a job that pays a decent wage and provides the basic comforts. Everything is available and in plenty, and generally affordable to most expatriate workers here. No doubt, the cost of living has tripled in the past 2 decades. Yet, Saudi Arabia is a much cheaper place to live than any of the other GCC countries.

How do you spend your leisure time there?

Usually driving down into the desert on week-ends, camping, BBQ's, and socializing with other expats from many different nations. The multiculturalism that prevails here has been of great value to me and my family in integrating, sharing and learning about other peoples and cultures. I also play Jazz drums and would love to learn to busk on some double bass too.

What are the differences between life in Riyadh and in Colombo, your home city?

Initially, I missed the hustle and bustle of life and extended family back home, the tropical weather, the abundant rains, and the non restricted lifestyle that we enjoyed back at home.

Would you like to give any advice to soon-to-be expatriates?

Come here with an open mind. Be objective and try to understand the religion, culture and lifestyle of the people of this land. There is no point in complaining about what one cannot find here because of their laws and restrictions after having chosen to come and live and work here.

What are your plans for the future?

We have ended up spending 35 years and it will certainly be very difficult for me and my family to relocate anywhere else, even back home, since we have adjusted well to the way of life here.
Our grand children (one was born in Riyadh), 20 & 17, will probably move to spend their future in Canada since they already have citizenship in North America. One is already attending University in Toronto and the other will join her in 2015 after he completes his High School education in Riyadh. The two daughters, 39 & 33, are both successfully employed in English education at a large international school in Riyadh and seem to be quite happy with their jobs, friends, and lifestyle.
Personally, I would prefer to spend the rest of my life here in the desert.

Saudi Arabia
Riyadh

Comments

  • Ml7
    Ml77 years ago(Modified)
    My uncle what a lovely words that been written describing my home land. Youve got a comprehensive overview about whats going on there and my best wishes for you and your family.
  • searnest79
    searnest798 years ago(Modified)
    I HAVE BEEN IN KSA FOR THE PAST 9 MONTHS. CAME FROM INDIA WITH 2 YEARS OF CONTRACT. THE PASSPORT IS WITH COMPANY. CAN I LEAVE KSA WITHOUT OR BEFORE THE CONTRACT PERIOD.
  • musicman
    musicman9 years ago(Modified)
    Hi Nadia, When we first came to live and work here in 1979, my wife and I were just 5 years married and she was 30 years old, frightened to her wits. We had a 4 year old daughter at that time. The second gal came along in 1981. What really helped her to survive here was the compassion and goodness of expat neighbors, Indian, Egyptian, Saudi, and Pakistani. They were most kind and helpful and made her feel comfortable and safe. Of course we did miss Colombo very much but that was a price we had to pay for what were seeking in the desert. Now she doesn't even want to go back and would be content if she can spend the remaining days of her life in Saudi. She is 66 now and has more friends here than what she had back home in Sri Lanka.
  • Nadia85
    Nadia859 years ago(Modified)
    Hi Mr.Fazli, Please do tell me how a Sri Lankan female in her 20's settle comfortably in KSA without feeling terribly homesick. I have been here for 3 months and I miss Colombo sooo much. I would like to know how your wife managed to be there for decades. Thanks
  • drjdubey
    drjdubey9 years ago(Modified)
    Thanks a ton,Mr Fazli! I am waiting for it. Regards and respect, Dr Dubey
  • musicman
    musicman9 years ago(Modified)
    I am trying to find out and let you know
  • drjdubey
    drjdubey9 years ago(Modified)
    Thanks Mr Fazli! But their website,contact no or emsil id nothing is available online,hence. could u help me in this regard how to contact them With warm regards! Dr Dubey
  • musicman
    musicman9 years ago(Modified)
    Dr Dubey, Yes, Princess Noura will take expat students. I have no idea about cross credits. You may want to look up their website online and check those details. Regards
  • drjdubey
    drjdubey9 years ago(Modified)
    Dear Mr fazli, I am planning to relocate to saudi in riyaad as a doctor. i have a daughter who has completed her 2 nd yr in mech engineering from gwalior. i wish to know from you as you have lived there for 35 yrs, about princess noura university for women. do they take children of expatriiates in their university,and what is the policy of crosscredit.of 2 yrs.if you could shed some light on this, i would be thankful and obliged Regards, dr dubey
  • musicman
    musicman9 years ago(Modified)
    The culture has not changed much for me and my wife. But for the children and grand kids its a brand new culture thats mixed up. They call themselves third culture kids cos they are neither Sri Lankan nor Saudi. We came initially for 2 years only. The rest of the 34 years is history.

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