What to do in Riyadh?

shahab.ali · 2010-03-14T16:41:04+01:00

Sorry if i sound a sadist which i am not (was would be more appropriate). I am posting my story here as i dont have anyone to listen to it. (lol, i really sound stupid now as i havent done anything of this sort before) I was kinda forced to come to Saudi Arabia for work from my parents (I still dont know why i gave an interview). I didnt wanted to come as i knew this was not a place for me as i was always into friends, parties, and all the things a normal person does during his younger days. I knew there was nothing of that sort here. well anyways, lets skip the other things and get to wat changes in life i m going thru. I get up in the morning around 8 (i used to get up no later than 11 am) and get ready for work. at 6pm, i go back home (for wat? i used to think at this time). sit at the couch, thinking wat to do for about an hour (never had a time to think). After using my brains for indecisive cause, i remember of food for which i have to again make the use of my head to decide were to go and as usual i land up having a burger, pizza or a shawarma. (never ever had supper so soon before)and i gained 13 kgs in a year!!!! (i hate myself for that) After stuffing my tummy, i go around the city alone for a while as dont have friends (didnt meet anyone who has my kinda idea of enjoyment. not their fault too, as they r here to earn) then go back home and again think for a while and doze off to sleep around 2am (Man! that was the time i used to think of going back home) I am sure everyone here might have gone thru this, but its just that i wanted to talk to someone about it and so i did here... the things i wanna do ;) are: be free (never till this iqama thing exists) hang out wherever i want and with whomever i want (a bouncer didnt allow me to enter a mall unless i accompany a woman. even refused to tell me when i asked where to find a woman) party (cannot even think of that at the moment as i dont know anyone in the compounds) I would be grateful if someone shares/gives me the solution for all this...and ya, sorry for all this crap i have written but sure i have brought some kinda change in your life. the change is thinking that another person has joined the club!

Last activity 28 April 2010 by raylarch

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shahab.aliViP11 April 2010 11:01:32

#81

1079

BECOME an alcoholic for a couple of days till u r there...

raylarchContributor11 April 2010 11:11:42

#82

147

i might do that and make sure I arrive in riyadh drunk silly

shahab.aliViP12 April 2010 14:20:15

#83

1079

any comments on RAY's new DUBAI pic???

raylarchContributor12 April 2010 16:40:56

#84

147

the pics will keep on changing every time I go to a new frontier. keep you guys guessing where I'm at.

musicmanViP13 April 2010 05:15:40

#85

3180

that must be the sister of all Burj's? The mother is much taller.

AlliecatViP14 April 2010 10:30:44

#86

8790

keep you guys guessing where I'm at.

Ummmm.. sure. That will be more fun than counting cranes

zarvataActive member14 April 2010 10:51:40

#87

There is one thing I want to do much in Riyadh
Anybody went for Arabic courses for foreigners? (contacts appreciated. I think it is a good opportunity while living here.

shahab.aliViP14 April 2010 11:08:57

#88

1079

ya thats a good idea...coz i feel left out wen people around me talk...always wanted to learn but no interaction with arabic speaking people much

raylarchContributor14 April 2010 13:57:24

#89

147

welcome expats - I'm here

shahab.aliViP14 April 2010 14:00:01

#90

1079

change ur pic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

shahab.aliViP14 April 2010 14:00:37

#91

1079

werent we supposed to say welcome??

raylarchContributor14 April 2010 14:03:47

#92

147

yeah but i beat you to it

shahab.aliViP14 April 2010 14:04:43

#93

1079

hmmmm....well, welcome!

AlliecatViP14 April 2010 14:28:14

#94

8790

coz i feel left out wen people around me talk

I know lots of Saudis but they all want to practice their English with me!

shahab.aliViP14 April 2010 14:29:54

#95

1079

ya...wenever i m around, they talk in english. so i dont get a chance to learn

AlliecatViP14 April 2010 14:40:12

#96

8790

but didn't you just say you felt left out cause they speak Arabic ?!!!??

I am confuzzled!

shahab.aliViP14 April 2010 14:42:53

#97

1079

watever!!

AlliecatViP14 April 2010 15:18:14

#98

8790

ha! got ya! (because when you say 'whatever,' you're admittiing defeat!)

shahab.aliViP14 April 2010 15:37:28

#99

1079

again watever!

raylarchContributor14 April 2010 19:52:41

#100

147

I agree with alliecat - she got you there

shahab.aliViP25 April 2010 19:43:34

#101

1079

100th post!!!

musicmanViP26 April 2010 06:31:00

#102

3180

Safari Resort is organizing a walk/hike outdoors this Thursday
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52773185771

CAFSerial expat26 April 2010 11:43:56

#103

831

Raylarch

I hope your enjoying yourself here in KSA since arriving. I just read through the thread and noticed that you play racquetball. Me Too!!!!! Unfortunately, I dont live on a compound that has a RB court and I believe only Al Hamra & Kingdom have courts. Maybe we could get on to play sometime if your interested. Let me know! Im not sure what level you play at, but I was an 'open' player at one time so I know my way around the game - but its been a while and a few bad knees since!

shahab.aliViP26 April 2010 11:51:16

#104

1079

Raylarch is lost! hope everythings fine with him. As soon as he arrived to saudi arabia, didnt hear anything from him.

musicmanViP26 April 2010 12:03:59

#105

3180

Last I heard from Ray was that he has wheels, a mobile phone and also managed to find bachelor accomodation at compound. He must be busy at work for sure?

shahab.aliViP26 April 2010 12:06:10

#106

1079

ahaan...that was fast. good for him

raylarchContributor26 April 2010 13:08:01

#107

147

Ali - it just so frustrating to settle in - evrything here is in slow motion or in other words Inshallah! I finally moved in to a compound and out of that hotel environment. Just getting adjusted i guess. But now i can get back to this forum and rack up my POSTS -

raylarchContributor26 April 2010 13:10:31

#108

147

musicman - wheels are great especially when you have a GPS - how fast you can find places except for these dang constructions on the road. This driving reminds me of road rage could happen any time now. I still trying to adjust on the timing of the open/close/prayer times so I can coordinate my shopping

shahab.aliViP26 April 2010 13:12:58

#109

1079

ray...jeddah driving is more difficult.
yeah, things over here are so slow that i dont get how the country is working... wait, u will join them

raylarchContributor27 April 2010 04:05:12

#110

147

like the saying goes: if you can't beat - join them !!!
i' adapting to the driving methods here as well as being carefull.

musicmanViP27 April 2010 04:20:59

#111

3180

In my view the safest option is to stay on the middle lane on the motorways and highways and keep clear of all those high speed lane changers. Also move into the right line before the exits which is the most common sense thing to do but doesnt happen here as it should.

While we can always be very careful in oyr driving we simply cant stop the other feller hitting us at any point of time. Rearview and side mirrors are very useful and should be used effectively for he basic reason they are provided for.

If you wanna swear, please swear in silence with the shutters up and the music on loud.

Fidgety SoulViP27 April 2010 10:12:45

#112

1950

hey CAF and Ray when u play that,call me.I 'll come to see that too

shahab.aliViP27 April 2010 10:16:14

#113

1079

ya me too...but will wanna play as well

raylarchContributor28 April 2010 12:37:05

#114

147

nonz and ali - you can watcha nd play the problem I need a place to play. A fitness center / gymnasuim / hotel - I need directions how to go about joining a membership - any ideas??????

raylarchContributor28 April 2010 12:40:00

#115

147

CAF - i also play open tournament for fun - i'm between B / C level - I also play squash / table tennis. I'm desperate to play racquetball. If you know a place - LET'S PLAY

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