I'm moving to Saudi Arabia on Monday
Apr 8, 2012 | 08:57 AM
#71
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 506
From: New York
*Taken from my blog*
The other day when I woke up, instead of my boss picking me up, a new guy was waiting for me (we’ll call him Alex for privacy reasons) outside my house in his FJ cruiser “beater.” While the majority of Saudis are relatively reserved, it quickly became apparent that this guy liked to party. “FINALLY!” I thought to myself. I love the guys but I know they don’t enjoy partying like I do so it was reliving to find someone who might show me that scene.
At the end of the day, Alex stopped by the shop and asked me what I was doing later and if I’d like to go to Bahrain to have dinner. For those that don’t know, Bahrain is a small island country (accessed by bridge) 30 minutes off the coast of Saudi that many affectionately refer to it as their “Mini Vegas.” Bahrain is far more European feeling than Saudi in that women wear whatever they want, alcohol is legal, and there are significantly more foreigners there. I didn’t really know what to expect but of course I said yes and went home to change.
A few minutes later, Alex showed up with his friend and we were off. After about 10 minutes we reached the first of two checkpoints. Saudi ran the first one to check IDs and make sure you have permission to leave the country. The second one was Bahrain customs. After the second checkpoint, your car is inspected before you can proceed. As we reached the first checkpoint, Alex realized he didn’t have his ID in his wallet. We explained the situation at the gate and the officer let us turn around to go back and get it. As we had technically left Saudi though, we needed have the car inspected before we were able to reenter Saudi. Luckily when we got out of the car, Alex realized that actually did have his ID in his wallet. Again, we turned around and went back though the checkpoint, this time with no problems. However when we got to Bahrain customs, they told Alex’s friend that his paperwork wasn’t in order and he would not be able to enter the country. We were in his car though so again we needed to go back though both check points and have the car inspected. When we got back into Saudi, Alex hired a driver to bring us to Bahrain for the night. Finally we made it though both checkpoints and were on our way. Before we walked inside, Alex said, “Many of the people you will see tonight live very private lives so keep the photo taking to a minimum and if you do take pictures, make sure they are not of other people.”
We walked in and were immediately greeted by the manager of what I thought was just a restaurant. When asked what we wanted for dinner, Alex simply said, “you know what I like. I trust you. We’ll take it upstairs though.” With that the manager was off and we headed upstairs. As we walked into the outdoor bar, I felt an immense feeling of relief. There was a DJ spinning Swedish House Mafia, loads of foreigners, girls dressed in “regular” clothes, and BOOZE! Even though people told me about how you could party in Bahrain, until that point, I still felt like I was completely giving up the party scene when I moved to Saudi. After the months of getting ready to move, I thought I was kind of at peace with that fact…apparently not though judging by how excited I was. We sat down at a table and Alex asked me wanted I wanted to drink. As usual, my response was “whiskey…whatevers cheap.” He laughed and said “get whatever you want…its nothing.” I insisted that well stuff was fine but he got us a bottle of 18-year-old Chivas Regal scotch anyway. Then after that we were on to the Chivas Regal 21 “Royal Salute.” I’m not sure I will ever be able to go back to regular life again. These guys really don’t **** around in any aspect of their life…it’s pretty awesome.
The details start getting fuzzy at this point but after hanging out at this place for a while, partying with his friends (he seemed to know everyone there), we headed to another place. While the first place was very American/European feeling, the next place was quite the opposite. I think I was the only white guy in there. Arabic music, hookahs, guys in thobes…but still there was booze. Another bottle of whiskey, some arab girls teaching me how to dance to arab music, and several different flavors of hookah later (my first time trying that actually) we left the club. As we walked outside and the sun came down on my face, I had an epiphany (albeit a drunken one). I realized that I really could live here for an extended period of time…much longer than I had previously thought possible. Lift isn’t so different in the Middle East after all. This might involve me moving to Bahrain and commuting to Saudi for work but who knows. In the car ride home, Alex looked at me and said “I wanted to get you out and show you what its like around here. You work hard during the week, the partying is taken care of.” I think I’m going to have fun here.
The other day when I woke up, instead of my boss picking me up, a new guy was waiting for me (we’ll call him Alex for privacy reasons) outside my house in his FJ cruiser “beater.” While the majority of Saudis are relatively reserved, it quickly became apparent that this guy liked to party. “FINALLY!” I thought to myself. I love the guys but I know they don’t enjoy partying like I do so it was reliving to find someone who might show me that scene.
At the end of the day, Alex stopped by the shop and asked me what I was doing later and if I’d like to go to Bahrain to have dinner. For those that don’t know, Bahrain is a small island country (accessed by bridge) 30 minutes off the coast of Saudi that many affectionately refer to it as their “Mini Vegas.” Bahrain is far more European feeling than Saudi in that women wear whatever they want, alcohol is legal, and there are significantly more foreigners there. I didn’t really know what to expect but of course I said yes and went home to change.
A few minutes later, Alex showed up with his friend and we were off. After about 10 minutes we reached the first of two checkpoints. Saudi ran the first one to check IDs and make sure you have permission to leave the country. The second one was Bahrain customs. After the second checkpoint, your car is inspected before you can proceed. As we reached the first checkpoint, Alex realized he didn’t have his ID in his wallet. We explained the situation at the gate and the officer let us turn around to go back and get it. As we had technically left Saudi though, we needed have the car inspected before we were able to reenter Saudi. Luckily when we got out of the car, Alex realized that actually did have his ID in his wallet. Again, we turned around and went back though the checkpoint, this time with no problems. However when we got to Bahrain customs, they told Alex’s friend that his paperwork wasn’t in order and he would not be able to enter the country. We were in his car though so again we needed to go back though both check points and have the car inspected. When we got back into Saudi, Alex hired a driver to bring us to Bahrain for the night. Finally we made it though both checkpoints and were on our way. Before we walked inside, Alex said, “Many of the people you will see tonight live very private lives so keep the photo taking to a minimum and if you do take pictures, make sure they are not of other people.”
We walked in and were immediately greeted by the manager of what I thought was just a restaurant. When asked what we wanted for dinner, Alex simply said, “you know what I like. I trust you. We’ll take it upstairs though.” With that the manager was off and we headed upstairs. As we walked into the outdoor bar, I felt an immense feeling of relief. There was a DJ spinning Swedish House Mafia, loads of foreigners, girls dressed in “regular” clothes, and BOOZE! Even though people told me about how you could party in Bahrain, until that point, I still felt like I was completely giving up the party scene when I moved to Saudi. After the months of getting ready to move, I thought I was kind of at peace with that fact…apparently not though judging by how excited I was. We sat down at a table and Alex asked me wanted I wanted to drink. As usual, my response was “whiskey…whatevers cheap.” He laughed and said “get whatever you want…its nothing.” I insisted that well stuff was fine but he got us a bottle of 18-year-old Chivas Regal scotch anyway. Then after that we were on to the Chivas Regal 21 “Royal Salute.” I’m not sure I will ever be able to go back to regular life again. These guys really don’t **** around in any aspect of their life…it’s pretty awesome.
The details start getting fuzzy at this point but after hanging out at this place for a while, partying with his friends (he seemed to know everyone there), we headed to another place. While the first place was very American/European feeling, the next place was quite the opposite. I think I was the only white guy in there. Arabic music, hookahs, guys in thobes…but still there was booze. Another bottle of whiskey, some arab girls teaching me how to dance to arab music, and several different flavors of hookah later (my first time trying that actually) we left the club. As we walked outside and the sun came down on my face, I had an epiphany (albeit a drunken one). I realized that I really could live here for an extended period of time…much longer than I had previously thought possible. Lift isn’t so different in the Middle East after all. This might involve me moving to Bahrain and commuting to Saudi for work but who knows. In the car ride home, Alex looked at me and said “I wanted to get you out and show you what its like around here. You work hard during the week, the partying is taken care of.” I think I’m going to have fun here.
Apr 8, 2012 | 10:56 AM
#72
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,980
hehehe
yeah, don't know if its allowed, but just to show what i'm talking about.
Pick one. haha
Acompanhantes SP - Clubmodel acompanhantes sp
The prices are between $100~150 bucks.
yeah, don't know if its allowed, but just to show what i'm talking about.
Pick one. haha
Acompanhantes SP - Clubmodel acompanhantes sp
The prices are between $100~150 bucks.
Apr 8, 2012 | 05:59 PM
#73
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,980
*Taken from my blog*
The other day when I woke up, instead of my boss picking me up, a new guy was waiting for me (we’ll call him Alex for privacy reasons) outside my house in his FJ cruiser “beater.” While the majority of Saudis are relatively reserved, it quickly became apparent that this guy liked to party. “FINALLY!” I thought to myself. I love the guys but I know they don’t enjoy partying like I do so it was reliving to find someone who might show me that scene.
At the end of the day, Alex stopped by the shop and asked me what I was doing later and if I’d like to go to Bahrain to have dinner. For those that don’t know, Bahrain is a small island country (accessed by bridge) 30 minutes off the coast of Saudi that many affectionately refer to it as their “Mini Vegas.” Bahrain is far more European feeling than Saudi in that women wear whatever they want, alcohol is legal, and there are significantly more foreigners there. I didn’t really know what to expect but of course I said yes and went home to change.
A few minutes later, Alex showed up with his friend and we were off. After about 10 minutes we reached the first of two checkpoints. Saudi ran the first one to check IDs and make sure you have permission to leave the country. The second one was Bahrain customs. After the second checkpoint, your car is inspected before you can proceed. As we reached the first checkpoint, Alex realized he didn’t have his ID in his wallet. We explained the situation at the gate and the officer let us turn around to go back and get it. As we had technically left Saudi though, we needed have the car inspected before we were able to reenter Saudi. Luckily when we got out of the car, Alex realized that actually did have his ID in his wallet. Again, we turned around and went back though the checkpoint, this time with no problems. However when we got to Bahrain customs, they told Alex’s friend that his paperwork wasn’t in order and he would not be able to enter the country. We were in his car though so again we needed to go back though both check points and have the car inspected. When we got back into Saudi, Alex hired a driver to bring us to Bahrain for the night. Finally we made it though both checkpoints and were on our way. Before we walked inside, Alex said, “Many of the people you will see tonight live very private lives so keep the photo taking to a minimum and if you do take pictures, make sure they are not of other people.”
We walked in and were immediately greeted by the manager of what I thought was just a restaurant. When asked what we wanted for dinner, Alex simply said, “you know what I like. I trust you. We’ll take it upstairs though.” With that the manager was off and we headed upstairs. As we walked into the outdoor bar, I felt an immense feeling of relief. There was a DJ spinning Swedish House Mafia, loads of foreigners, girls dressed in “regular” clothes, and BOOZE! Even though people told me about how you could party in Bahrain, until that point, I still felt like I was completely giving up the party scene when I moved to Saudi. After the months of getting ready to move, I thought I was kind of at peace with that fact…apparently not though judging by how excited I was. We sat down at a table and Alex asked me wanted I wanted to drink. As usual, my response was “whiskey…whatevers cheap.” He laughed and said “get whatever you want…its nothing.” I insisted that well stuff was fine but he got us a bottle of 18-year-old Chivas Regal scotch anyway. Then after that we were on to the Chivas Regal 21 “Royal Salute.” I’m not sure I will ever be able to go back to regular life again. These guys really don’t **** around in any aspect of their life…it’s pretty awesome.
The details start getting fuzzy at this point but after hanging out at this place for a while, partying with his friends (he seemed to know everyone there), we headed to another place. While the first place was very American/European feeling, the next place was quite the opposite. I think I was the only white guy in there. Arabic music, hookahs, guys in thobes…but still there was booze. Another bottle of whiskey, some arab girls teaching me how to dance to arab music, and several different flavors of hookah later (my first time trying that actually) we left the club. As we walked outside and the sun came down on my face, I had an epiphany (albeit a drunken one). I realized that I really could live here for an extended period of time…much longer than I had previously thought possible. Lift isn’t so different in the Middle East after all. This might involve me moving to Bahrain and commuting to Saudi for work but who knows. In the car ride home, Alex looked at me and said “I wanted to get you out and show you what its like around here. You work hard during the week, the partying is taken care of.” I think I’m going to have fun here.
The other day when I woke up, instead of my boss picking me up, a new guy was waiting for me (we’ll call him Alex for privacy reasons) outside my house in his FJ cruiser “beater.” While the majority of Saudis are relatively reserved, it quickly became apparent that this guy liked to party. “FINALLY!” I thought to myself. I love the guys but I know they don’t enjoy partying like I do so it was reliving to find someone who might show me that scene.
At the end of the day, Alex stopped by the shop and asked me what I was doing later and if I’d like to go to Bahrain to have dinner. For those that don’t know, Bahrain is a small island country (accessed by bridge) 30 minutes off the coast of Saudi that many affectionately refer to it as their “Mini Vegas.” Bahrain is far more European feeling than Saudi in that women wear whatever they want, alcohol is legal, and there are significantly more foreigners there. I didn’t really know what to expect but of course I said yes and went home to change.
A few minutes later, Alex showed up with his friend and we were off. After about 10 minutes we reached the first of two checkpoints. Saudi ran the first one to check IDs and make sure you have permission to leave the country. The second one was Bahrain customs. After the second checkpoint, your car is inspected before you can proceed. As we reached the first checkpoint, Alex realized he didn’t have his ID in his wallet. We explained the situation at the gate and the officer let us turn around to go back and get it. As we had technically left Saudi though, we needed have the car inspected before we were able to reenter Saudi. Luckily when we got out of the car, Alex realized that actually did have his ID in his wallet. Again, we turned around and went back though the checkpoint, this time with no problems. However when we got to Bahrain customs, they told Alex’s friend that his paperwork wasn’t in order and he would not be able to enter the country. We were in his car though so again we needed to go back though both check points and have the car inspected. When we got back into Saudi, Alex hired a driver to bring us to Bahrain for the night. Finally we made it though both checkpoints and were on our way. Before we walked inside, Alex said, “Many of the people you will see tonight live very private lives so keep the photo taking to a minimum and if you do take pictures, make sure they are not of other people.”
We walked in and were immediately greeted by the manager of what I thought was just a restaurant. When asked what we wanted for dinner, Alex simply said, “you know what I like. I trust you. We’ll take it upstairs though.” With that the manager was off and we headed upstairs. As we walked into the outdoor bar, I felt an immense feeling of relief. There was a DJ spinning Swedish House Mafia, loads of foreigners, girls dressed in “regular” clothes, and BOOZE! Even though people told me about how you could party in Bahrain, until that point, I still felt like I was completely giving up the party scene when I moved to Saudi. After the months of getting ready to move, I thought I was kind of at peace with that fact…apparently not though judging by how excited I was. We sat down at a table and Alex asked me wanted I wanted to drink. As usual, my response was “whiskey…whatevers cheap.” He laughed and said “get whatever you want…its nothing.” I insisted that well stuff was fine but he got us a bottle of 18-year-old Chivas Regal scotch anyway. Then after that we were on to the Chivas Regal 21 “Royal Salute.” I’m not sure I will ever be able to go back to regular life again. These guys really don’t **** around in any aspect of their life…it’s pretty awesome.
The details start getting fuzzy at this point but after hanging out at this place for a while, partying with his friends (he seemed to know everyone there), we headed to another place. While the first place was very American/European feeling, the next place was quite the opposite. I think I was the only white guy in there. Arabic music, hookahs, guys in thobes…but still there was booze. Another bottle of whiskey, some arab girls teaching me how to dance to arab music, and several different flavors of hookah later (my first time trying that actually) we left the club. As we walked outside and the sun came down on my face, I had an epiphany (albeit a drunken one). I realized that I really could live here for an extended period of time…much longer than I had previously thought possible. Lift isn’t so different in the Middle East after all. This might involve me moving to Bahrain and commuting to Saudi for work but who knows. In the car ride home, Alex looked at me and said “I wanted to get you out and show you what its like around here. You work hard during the week, the partying is taken care of.” I think I’m going to have fun here.
Lmfao with the first chapter.
its good to read something like that.
Gives me an idea of the party life there, totally changed my perspective.
Apr 9, 2012 | 02:12 AM
#74
Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 900
From: Got Bay? Killa Cali & Fiji
hehehe
yeah, don't know if its allowed, but just to show what i'm talking about.
Pick one. haha
Acompanhantes SP - Clubmodel acompanhantes sp
The prices are between $100~150 bucks.
yeah, don't know if its allowed, but just to show what i'm talking about.
Pick one. haha
Acompanhantes SP - Clubmodel acompanhantes sp
The prices are between $100~150 bucks.
Apr 9, 2012 | 02:31 AM
#75
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 506
From: New York
On that note, anyone in the middle east use a VPN so they can watch netflix and stuff?
Apr 9, 2012 | 04:41 AM
#79
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 506
From: New York
