Well, I've moved on to bigger and better things. . . Not! Just moved on. I have a new job and have moved to a different area of Saudi Arabia. It's smaller and has less conveniences, it's an hour away from all my friends and two hours from Bahrain - and by that I mean
real booze. It's quiet, more family oriented and doesn't have much of a singles scene. Now, you might be thinking to yourself, why would she move someplace like that? Well, just take a look at this. . .
That's one of the major reasons for moving to Ras Tanura. The camp runs along the coast for several miles. We have a yacht club, waterfront homes and gorgeous beaches. You can have a cup of coffee on the upper deck of the cafe on the beach and gaze with wonder at the clear aqua sea, calm waters or giant oil tankers going by.
Oil tankers!
What!! That's right, I live in the shadow of the largest oil refinery in the world, a giant gas plant and a future Dow petrochemical plant. And let me tell you something, you can sure smell the difference at times. Along with your hot, steaming cup of java you get the fragrant smell of diesel fuel free of charge. Well that's what it smells like to me - though they tell me it's some kind of metho-carbo-hydro-something-or-other-ane.
No recent travels to report. I've been mostly occupied with moving and settling in. Still living in temporary housing - translation - living out of suitcases and boxes. I hope to take a break in the mid to late summer. But I start graduate school the beginning of June so the timing for vacation will be a little tricky. I need Internet access because grad school is entirely online. I probably won't go very far, maybe to India. I'm in the mood for a retreat, to be pampered and spa-ed up to within an inch of my life. Though Sri Lanka sounds good, too. . .
I can't believe it's almost May! But it's getting hotter by the day here and summer is just around the corner. I joined the camp Yacht club and may learn to sail - that is if I can get past the nausea (those who know me know what I mean). Last weekend I waded into the water for the first time this year thinking it would be too cold for swimming. For a minute I forgot where I was. In fact, the water was cool but pleasant. Perfect for the over 90 degree weather.
