Buongiorno

Greetings from bella Italia! It's been a while since I have posted anything. School seems to occupy most of my free time these days. I arrived in Florence yesterday (July 5th) to gorgeous sunny weather. Even though there are throngs of tourists everywhere I plan to have a relaxing and leisurely visit. Of course, I will have school work to do (it's never ending!). I am staying in the heart of the historic district on Piazza della Signoria, directly across from the world famous Uffizi Gallery. I've already had my fix of gelato - hazelnut flavor (my favorite!).

Here are a couple quick views I took while wondering around the area yesterday afternoon. I had lunch in the Piazza della Signoria at the Rivoire Cafe, which was obsenely overpriced (10 Euros for a beer!!!!!!) but had a wonderful view of the Palazzo Vecchio. I have appointments to visit the Uffizi Gallery tomorrow (necessary unless you want to wait in the hours long entrance line) and the Accademia Gallery on Wednesday. The Uffizi has famous Boticelli paintings and the Accademia has Michelangelo's David. David was originally mounted in front of the Palazzo Vecchio as seen here. But, of course, the actual statue is protected in a museum which requires a reservation unless one wants to wait again in hours long lines. The Italians only allow a certain number of people in a museum at a time so the wait can be long.

I will post more pictures in the days to come. I am considering a trip to Rome to coincide with President Obama's visit to see the Pope. Imagine, going all the way to Italy to see the President. Of course, the chances of seeing him are slim but at least I'll get another trip to see the Vatican and the Rome.

Ciao for now,
Tara

It's that time of year again . . .

Well, we've come full circle. It's Christmas time again and I'm just back in kingdom from a nice visit home. I was back stateside for Thanksgiving and stayed through until the other day. It was nice to see everyone because I'd not been home for a proper visit in almost two years.

This trip I discovered the Wii and brought one home with me. I went to a Carolina Hurricanes hockey game (thanks Shari and Tony) which they won (Yay!).

However, it was a working vacation for me. I am in graduate school and am pretty much tied to the computer on a regular basis. I need to log in a minimum of three days a week plus research, reading and writing. So it wasn't all roses and happiness.

I am glad to be back and to get back into my routine. I can start planning my next travel adventure. Unfortunately, because of school I will not be able to travel to places that do not have adequate Internet access. Or to go on trips that take me to remote area, which is what I really want to do! So, I was thinking about a three week trip to Italy, maybe rent a villa in Tuscany? Hey, there are worse things in life, right?

Anyway, here's wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

Tara

Come so far, so far yet to go. . .

Well, as the nation has seen an extraordinary change in recent days, so I have seen change of a somewhat lesser historical value but no less important to me.  Since my last post I have moved to a permanent home (permanent by company standards) near the beach. Following is a recap of my journey over the last year from a cramped 500 sq. ft. studio apartment to my spacious pad by the beach.

I ended my journey from Dhahran to Ras Tanura in a small studio (though here a "studio" apartment is a different layout entirely - more what we would call a one bedroom apt.) lain out in a shot-gun fashion. It was a single room beginning with the main living space, kitchen behind, then the bedroom and finally the bathroom.

It was crammed full of boxes and furniture so much so that there was only enough room for a path to the bathroom and there was not enough space to put my bed down. You can see my bed up against the wall in the picture.  I slept on my pull out sofa bed for 8 months.  I got so used to sleeping on the sofa bed it's taken me over a month to get used to my bed again (though it's over 20 years old and in desperate need of replacement - that will be an after New Year's purchase). 

I will start describing 6001 Driftwood court by directing you to the picture to the left.  That is the view from my front door.  Need I say more?  My new place has a townhouse layout with a small back yard patio and a deck off the bedroom in the front of the house that is larger than the bedroom itself.  The view is the same as that from the front door.  There are cathedral ceilings and the bedroom upstairs has an open plan to the living room downstairs.  There is a garage with more than enough storage space and joy of joys - a powder room downstairs and full bath upstairs! I will attach some more pictures at the end of this blog to give you an idea what life is like here in Ras Tanura.  

Sadly, I've taken only one trip this year and that was for a well deserved break - a trip to Paphos, Cyprus.  I did nothing more strenuous than eat pork until I felt like I was turning into a big strip of bacon and drink plenty of beer and whiskey.  Once I had my fill of beer and bacon I briefly explored the island.  It's hot and dry with water conservation measures that result in the water being turned off every other day.  Water is purchased and stored in tanks on the roof so is rationed religiously because of the expense.  The one milestone I reached on this trip was to drive on the left side of the road.  I was very nervous but ultimately had only one close call and discovered it was easier than I thought it would be.  One frustrating thing about right-sided cars is that although all the pedals and gears are the same the indicator switch is reversed - I kept turning on the wipers when I meant to turn the blinker on. I did not take many pictures but here are a few. . .

This is the place where I stayed in Paphos for most of the almost 2 weeks I was there.  I spent the last two days at a resort closer to the airport in Lemesol.  

The second picture was taken from my balcony at the resort where I stayed. The last two days I pampered myself and part of the reason was that my school term had started and I required Internet access and needed to log on every day.  School waits for no one. . . even those on vacation.

Well, I'm headed home in a week's time and looking forward to it immensely.  It's been almost a year and a half since I was home last and it seems like much longer.  I will be home for Thanksgiving and my birthday but not for Christmas.  Can't have everything.  I'm more than satisfied to be home for Thanksgiving - it's my favorite holiday.  

I hope this finds everyone well and I will endeavor to make my posts more frequent (per requests). . . 

Here are more pictures of my house in KSA. . .

      

Looking from the bedroom down into the living room.

Back to school!

Hello all, I have recently gone back to school much to my dismay.  Well, really I wanted to but I am nervous because it's all online.  That means a LOT of writing.  The first week isn't over yet and I've already had to turn in a fairly detailed and involved paper.  But that's just the beginning.  The good news is that since it's all online I can go anywhere in the world and not miss class!  And to that end I,of course, had to buy a new laptop!  Meet Mac, he's a dependent now on my taxes - he cost a lot!

I am planning a vacation at the end of the summer after the first quarter is over.  I only have a week between classes so I will still need access to the internet.  In the running so far are India, Sri Lanka or Cyprus.  Cyprus seems to be gaining ahead of the others because I have a friend who said I could stay at her apartment for free!  It's quiet and overlooks the beach with a pool right outside the front door.  What more could a girl ask for?!  I need to verify that internet access is available.  If it is it looks like I will be going to Cyprus in August.  If that falls through then Sri Lanka is next.  But you never know, I may decide on someplace completely different next week.  I will keep you posted. . . 

Time keeps marchin' on. . .

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.

Some friends came to visit me and thoroughly approve of my decision to move (I'm not sure whether that has anything to do with the fact that I am now known as the "beach connection"). As soon as I get a proper place to live I plan to have everyone over for a big house warming party. Inshallah, that will be before the end of summer. . .

So, all in all, life, I'm happy to report, is good. . .