If the process of getting to a country is any implication of what you’re in for, the trip to Saudi never tells a lie. Extensive visa applications, medicals, religious confessions, and heavy travel are all on the shortlist. On our trip over this time, we encountered yet another “common” but new site for sore American eyes. Waiting for us in the security line in front of our gate was a group of nearly 200 Muslims clad in white. The group of Moroccans making the Umrah* put any college toga party to shame, and truthfully struck a nerve of fear at first site. Watching multiple men get stripped of pocket knives and then watching a hundred Muslims pray in unison before the flight (hopefully praying for a safe travel of course) was a pinch intimidating. Hands down best part of it all was when they got on the plane and thought they could sit wherever they liked (these were older aged people). If you’ve never seen a crew of German-speaking flight attendants barking orders at Arab-speaking pilgrims with no comprehension whatsoever, you’re missing out.
After settling in Saudi for roughly six hours after 36 hours of travel time (luggage still in LAX, never fly UNITED) we set out for the campus. Many people read about the magic of the Middle East, specifically the projects in Dubai, but you really have no idea how incredible these projects are until you see them with your own eyes. It’s unfortunate that I didn’t snap any photos because the awe factor challenges anyone’s first trip to Disneyland; from the Golf Course to the Yacht Club to the Student Center (Photos to come soon).
To complement the ridiculously lavish campus, the school decided to throw a new twist at us: Everything on campus will be FREE for the first semester on top of the norm (room and board, tuition, and a stipend). This includes books, water sports, golf, movies, and FOOD (fast food, cafeteria, coffee shops, and bars included). Even more ridiculous is the rumor flying that they plan on buying each student a Segway to get around campus. Call us spoiled, but come to a country where your polarized sunglasses fog up every time you leave an air-conditioned room and your forearms sweat as much as your armpits, and then you’ll understand.
As excited as all of the students are to leave the hotel for our new apartments on campus, there’s a certain giddy feeling in everyone surrounding the inauguration event on September 23rd. The event is set to host not only the King of Saudi Arabia, but 50 other Presidents from around the world. Big Time Baby, and to think I turned down a chance to be a part of the ceremony. Bros before… Presidents, clearly.
With the NFL regular season just around the corner, there’s one more thing I need to share with everyone about the Saudis; and it’s about the women. I know you’ve all been wondering why I chose Saudi, and frankly, it’s because the women here make me feel at home. It’s a given that 99% of them will wake up every morning clad in Silver (jewelry) and Black (abaya) like any other true RAIDER fan might!
All jokes aside, I’ve never wished I lived in a country full of 49er fans in my life more than right now!
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umrah
Next up: Ramadan.
Dude, sounds awesome. Very entertaining to wake up and read. You gotta take advantage of everything if it’s all free. Grab that money while you can!
so…… are you a Raiders fan, or a 9ers fan…
Raiders, of course.
I wake up on Sunday mornings and watch Raiders games, because my computer is set to play local games from back home. It’s the most frustratingly ironic thing. You pay all this money to be able to play tv through your computer, but you have to watch the shitty raiders. Good thing the niners are a much better team, franchise, and fan base.