We arrived late friday night/early sat morning saudi time:) So here we go we took our 1 ton budget box truck with all of our things to the airport departures level , unloaded all of our boxes on to 5 trolly's. Plus a cart to hold all of our 10 carry on's and our stroller full of children . Rolled up to the counter and the lady helping us had this look of terror in her eyes , but all was good ! We got everything on , didn't get charged or weighted or nothing. # BLESSINGS We were stressing that our boxes were too big and were going to have to cut them down in the airport or that they were going to be to heavy and pay an outragouse fee , no such thing happened thank goodness . We were hoping to have my mom come through security with us but no such luck:( so we took our circus and headed to security. Which in most cases is no big deal right? unless your travel party can no carry their luggage and you have to carry them and their luggage through , but shockingly .....all was good!!
First plane was from Calgary to Germany and it was so cool!! We each had our own pod with a lie flat bed , tv , anything you could imagine we had it . The kids thought it was pretty sweet , they had a four course meal. Kayden even had ahi tuna and prawns as his appetizer (to cute). The only difficult part was that Colby had his own pod which is a little to much freedom for a 2 year old . All was good on take off until we had a "fecale incident "!!! that's right not ideal , i'm sorry to be "that" mom but it really set a tone for what the trip could hold for us. NOT COOL i'm taking neck to knees , ugh , all Brandt said after the event had concluded was "masacre"..enough said . After that all seemed to go smoothly , ,we took off around 7:15 pm so after all we fed with their sticky toffee pudding and prawns it was time for bed , snuggled in they all passed out. That is the way to travel , we had to wake them up for the landing in germany . Off to germany , not the best experience ! we had to do security again and it was SLOW ! It was a very tight connection but of course it all worked out...more blessings! Next plane was not quite as posh just regular business class :) the seats still folded flat and had a four course meal with everything else , i tell you i could get used to that! but another good one germany to kuiat then off to saudi! I put my abaya on on the airplane and it was defiantly a new feeling , just stressing to do the right things.
Once we were off the airplane it was a whirlwind experience . We were expecting the WORST ! long waits confusion and just a crazy time. And yet again not so bad ! Immigrtion was painless , it took 5 porters to take all of our boxes and such through customs , still no issues. Then in to the aramco office ! seamless right?? it did go great but the airport here is not quite like the ones at home! picture the Calgary airport , during stampede , with everyone speaking a diffract laungaue , and instead of people having 1 suit case they all have10 boxes , and no one know where to go. Now fast forward that and that was it was like! All good but kinda crazy. So after we got our badges and keys it took 2 sub's to get all of us to the tower .
So here begins the list of things i'm learning about saudi...... they re up all night over here! it was 12:40 am and the roads were crazy busy it was rather surpising. I asked the driver why that was and he said that because it is so hot most people sleep during the day and go out at night . On the way here was passed a McDonald's that had a massive two storey play ground and there were even kids playing at that time! The driver also mentioned that the malls and markets are open till 3 am some even open 24 hours ! can't wait to go shopping at 2am just cause i can!
So we are at the tower a in our 3 bedrooms over looking the gulf and so far we are all good , i have unpacked 6/9 boxes and most of the suit cases . I am discovering thought that as it may be warm out side , you can freeze to death inside! As it being our first day I stayed home and unpacked with the kids and Yikes it's COLD!! but we went down to the pool which is just on the 5th floor and is out side , it is truly hot . They cool the pool , and it still felt like it was a warm bath . Deffinatly a different sensation! but It was great and super easy ! the kids didn't mind it either:)
Brandt went to get groceries today with a new friend we made at the tower and it was positively experience. The store had "everything you could need they only stopped the check outs once for prayer. But you could still shop during. Cost was different. Produce, cheese ,meat was a affordable . But look out if want some thing name brand a box of ceral was $8/10 for a small box , almond milk $6. So not bad ! Our biggest optical right now is figuring out what to do about a car....you can't buy a car until have a saudi licence , can't get that until you get you igama( re-entry visa) , can't get that until engineering council has certified it......so hopefully we can rent a car before all that takes place , or there will be no more ice cream in the Tracey home :) i don't think it would make the bus trip:)
Some pictures of the events, Condo pictures to come :) # adventure
here are all our e- boxes that we will hopefully see in 3-5 weeks
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| what I woke up to today from my kitchen table .....WOWZers |
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