Well here we are again , pulling out our suitcases and Canada Clothes and headed back to the “real world” for the summer. We have not left the kingdom for a real Vacation since Jan , and let me say on Behalf of the Tracey family …..we are ready to get outta here.
We are in the middle of the holy month of Ramadan which in simple terms , is the month where locals do not eat during day light hours , no water no food as long as the sun is up .Most of the stores and shops are closed and work some of the strangest hours you could imagine. For example you want to go to the mall for something no problem if you go 6pm to 2 am . That right you read it correct most stores and restraunts are open till all hours of the morning . Being on camp you do not notice it as much besides not being able to eat or drink in Public places. So you just need to be prepared. Brandt has what they call a “sin room” where he can go and eat or drink be he can not do it at his desk. His colleges work reduced hours , and the kids have reduced school hours . So the days are getting a little long , combine that with the fact that i seriously think that summer months in saudi the sun is litterly closer . The heat is getting unbearable , you have to stay inside between the hours of 10-5 because its just to darn hot.
As it is fun to prepare mental and start thinking about your summer adventures ahead i am finding it rather strange and sad at the same time. The past 2 summers we have been preparing to move and go to something new and different. This year we are settled and looking to the next year as anyone else does , school supplies and schedules not moving boxes and packing. But the same can not be said for all the people around us . As the school year ends people that have done there time here are getting ready to go back to where they came from. Here is where my personal struggle begins….So i start to think about what being an Expat really means…..
As i have stated before expat to me mean homeless but employed. Yes we have a house which we have made a home but it’s not ours , the company owned it and does all maitance and things that need to be done they have the say with everyhitng down to the paint color. Good but little hard sometimes when all i see back home is “pretty “ homes with family TLC the make it there own and pride of ownership. Here all the houses are littllery the same. Some have brought their furniture some have not , Some have painted the inside or planted some flowers because that what you do right? so some times you are just going through the motions. Which has tought my family a lot when it comes things that you may have found very important before like have the most current and recent home decor . Things come and go and it does not and will not effect us as a family.
Next point The people around us are so wonderful and we all have to band together as a family because we are all each other have while we live here .And it takes a village to raise children , they are my village:) Which is so normal and wonderful for a small community . But we are only here for about 9 months a year so for the other 3 months we are all separated as people are from all over the world. Even my closet friends live in the states which is not that far when we are home but when we are not in sand land we have different lives , different family , different village. This is so hard!You would think that with technology and all that social media out there you would stay in touch no matter where you are but its not that case once you are gone you have kinda changed you mind set to someone different. you wouldn't think it but once you pull out that suit case you start changing to that other person. Being and expat is like having an alternate personality and its totally Normal.
Totally normal to have two different wallets , one for you home country and one for Saudi. Two different phone and numbers , Even two different wardrobes . My Canada one and saudi one are very different , because of the obvious temperature different and life style. Saudi is casual and hot , Canada is Colder and more social. I don’t need to dress up here i see the same people everywhere. Who am i kidding ! they will see me in my pjs at noon or work out clothes at the store , no point trying to hide it . Canada I can’t get a way with that when i go out for lunch with friends:) or go to the mall it’s like dressing the alternate personality. As longs as i still have the same name in both places then i’m good:)
Next point no one told me about being an expat , Food is a type of currency or show of love/kindness. Let me just say this nothing says “I care” better than food someone has brought in their suit cases from thousands of miles away. If you would have asked me if i would have brought Frozen meat in my suit case wrapped in my clothes i would have thought you were CRAZY….now totally normal . I would think you were crazy if you did not now! Do you know how long meat can stay frozen for in your luggage for ??a Long time! Do you know have many bags of nibs you can cram in your shoes. Well I do …totally normal . And when the day comes when you get to Crack out your smuggled food and share it with your family you are seriously giving the greatest gift in the world. Words can not describe how touched you are to give and to receive !
So the day has come and the packing has started , the list of christmas present and halloween costumes , shopping list and wishes is far underway. We leave in 10 days and i hope it goes by quickly because this expat is ready to have my 2 months out in the world to drive a car , flash my elbows to the world , eat my body weight in bacon , Drink slurrpee’s till i have a brain freeze permanently , go to a shopping mall , speak with out using hand signals and get a hair cut . #advenurecontunes
