My first Entry

This is the first time I will be sharing my journal to my friends and family so I am a bit nervous. Please dont laugh at my grammar and spellings. The reason I am creating this journal is because I would like to share my experience here in Saudi Arabia to my friends, family and ex-colleague. I would normally e-mail them individually but I've noticed that I keep repeating myself.

I arrived in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the 27th of May 2005. It's been almost over a months since I first arrive. While I was still in Australia I've met alot of people who find me crazy for going to such a dangerous country. For me the reason I came to Saudi Arabia is purely becuase of the money. I am aware of their culture but some how I am not scared but curious. I wanted to know what it is really like to leave here. I've met a few people whose actually been here and worked and I get mixture of stories some are bad some are good. So I've decided that I will go and find out for myself.

The first two weeks is the hardest thing that I ever had to go through. The homesickness is my biggest enemy. When I first arrived I was already preparing to go back home but I managed to talk myself to aim for a month. I have never prayed so much in my life lasting a day is a struggle. My parents and partner was very supportive. My parents would call me all the time reassuring me that it going to be okay. Tay (my partner) would always remind me of my dreams. The reason on why I am here.

Things got better when I started working. Going to work makes the day go faster. Meeting new friends is one thing I like because the people are very friendly. Everyone seems to have the same attitude. When ever I tell them that I am feeling lonely they would quickly tell me that it's normal and that you'll get over it. There are the reason why I am still here except of course the ADSL and TFC connection that I have at home :)

I work for Saudi Aramco Al Hasa Hospital. It is owned by the biggest oil company in the world. They have lots of camps (accomodation set for foreigner employees who are mostly filipinos, South African, Indians, Jordanians, Canadian, and Americans). I am staying at one of there four camps in the eastern part of Saudi. Unfornately I am staying at one of the smallest camp. The camp it self is like a resort. It's got everything from recreation, entertaiment and grocery. Due to it's small community with all this facilities available it makes it look liked a ghost town. I've been told two years ago that they used to have alot of people but due to the future closure of the hospital where most people works some has resigned or has been transfered to the bigger camp which is in Dhaharan. There are soldiers and security check point outside and inside the camp. Every bus that take us to work or shopping are escorted by the security or sometimes soldiers. At this point I cant say anything bad about the place basically everything I want are here.

Work wise is not too bad either. I highly admire the cleanliness of the place and the equipment. I could sometimes feel the reachness of the company when ever I would compare the place where I used to work. There are a big differences compare to the environment but the quality of skilled nursing staff is very poor. I still think that australian nurses are highly skilled compare to where I am working at the moment.(I'm not trying to be bias :))

Weather is not too bad at all as long as you are working indoors because it can get really hot outside. But early morning and late at night is very nice. It feels like a hot summer day in Melbourne. YOu can go for a jog, bike ride or if your feeling lazy you can just go for a walk.

Lastly the leaving expenses here is very cheap. You can live with only $7 per day for food because everything else are for free. My first pay check is enough to support me for 1 year. I will talk more my income in the future. So till next time.