Hmmm, is the title good enough?

I know, it's repetitious but I am a woman, a.k.a. a broad - and living abroad! So, forgive me for the poor attempt at humor but this blogging is new to me.

If anyone has a better suggestion please don't hesitate to put your two cents in. . . I will continue to think on the matter. . .better title, better title. . .#&$*! Oops, sorry, thinking aloud. . .

Now, on to my story. . .

I have spent the last year living and working in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. I work for a gigantic oil company (which will remain nameless, to protect me, not the company). In fact, it's the largest in the world, and, yes, gas is way cheaper there than at home. Most people (and by people I mean mostly uninformed Americans) think I'm military. But, my modus operandi is not so noble. I am there for the money and chance to travel the world. Saudi Arabia is closer to the rest of the world than North America (my Canadian friends will agree). There're two big oceans to cross on either side and that usually results in jacked up air fares. To say it's less expensive from the Middle East is an understatement.

So, I live and work in a country that doesn't allow women to drive (feminists may want to take a Xanax at this point), requires them to be covered with an abaya (western women must wear one as well, it's a black robe covering the body), alcohol and pork are forbidden and dating is frowned upon. Westerners live on walled compounds to separate the heretic Christians from the devout Muslim Saudis.

What do I do for a living, you ask? You may think I am a petroleum engineer because I work for this large oil company but you would be incorrect. The company is so large we have a 400-bed hospital just for employees. I am a nurse working in the emergency department in our hospital. And health care is FREE!!! I can hear the gasps! Free, you exclaim!! Yep, remember this is the largest (a.k.a. richest) oil company in the world. The pay ain't so shabby either. . .and tax free. . . he, he, he. . . Sorry, that last bit was just for me and the IRS. Of course, I follow all the tax laws and will continue to file accordingly. . .

Here's a mini geography lesson. Dhahran, where I live is on the East coast and about 25 km from the Kingdom of Bahrain. Yes, that is where Michael Jackson lives. While Bahrain is a muslim country, they are more permissive and tolerant than KSA (a.k.a. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). Alcohol and pork abound, there are cinemas and outdoor events. For you Carolinians, there is Formula One racing, so no racing withdraws yet. When I need beer and bacon I just hop in a taxi and shoot over to Bahrain for my fix.

All in all, life isn't as bad as you may think. I did travel to Thailand and Cambodia this year. And I do get 6 weeks of vacation a year. . . I plan to go on an African safari next year or see the Great Wall of China, or do eastern Europe, or see Croatia and Slovenia, Greece. . . Well, that's for another blog. . .