A Proxy Post -- Day One

Day One
I am safely in Dharhan Saudi Arabia and having a
wonderful time. Today we went to Aramco Oil
facilities and then later went out to a great seafood
restaurant.

Unfortunately, I am not able to post to my blog from
Saudi Arabia. They have blocked blogspot. I don't
know if that will change when we fly to Jeddah- but I
will try again.

I also have not been able to connect my wireless
network here- so I can't send pictures today either.
(I took 89 pictures today.)

My friend Denise is posting for me. If you want to
email me, I would love to hear from you at
kristinelbrown@yahoo.com.

Hope this improves soon.
Kris

Going, Going, Gone

We are going to leave in a few hours for Saudi Arabia. This morning we had our "last minute" details meeting - lots of security issues, lots of don'ts.
Our trip is organized a bit differently than previous trips in that we are going to Jeddah on Monday rather than at the end of the trip. I think it is because the Arab League is meeting in Riyadh. Jeddah is on the Red Sea and so we will fly cross country and then return slowly.
Not sure if I will be able to scuba dive in the Red Sea because we are staying in the Jeddah Hilton instead of the Fal Resort. We'll see. I really want to do that!
This morning some go-getter teachers in our group taught us how to "count off" in Arabic. Whenever we get on the bus we count off. I am number 18 - and now I am tamaan tashar.
Yesterday was a busy day - In the morning we went to the Aramco Services building in Houston.
Aramco Services does many jobs for Aramco Oil in the U.S. Receive the oil shipments but also train people for SA, place SA students in US universities, work out research opportunities in the US with US universities, etc. A woman who had lived for 22 years in SA spoke to us about the country, what it is like to be there, etc. Then 4 alumni talked with us in the afternoon- one about "culture trunks" - things we can buy and bring back to show to classes- one about managing the press and speaking opportunities - one about library applications of what we learn- and one about Social Studies applications of what we learn. So it was fascinating. And very helpful.
Then I went to a Mexican restaurant for WONDERFUL margaritas and enchiladas with friends.
I really like the people I am traveling with. So far, we have a great group.
BTW- one fun thing yesterday was learning about fulla dolls. These are the Arabic version of Barbie dolls. If you want to be amazed, click on the link and look at all the products. Apparently the company is in Syria and they are making a mint! There is also an Arabic version of Sesame Street - not Sesame Street in Arabic but instead a similar show with Arabic content.
And now, we get ready for the LONG LONG flight. First to Amsterdam (8 hours), 5 hours in Amsterdam, and then on to Dharhan (6.5 hours).
I'll write again from the other side of the pond. Maassalehma!

Wednesday

Last night we had a welcome dinner and were introduced to the people in our group. Everyone had to explain what they are planning to do after the trip. It was fascinating. Someone said- I think people who apply for this program are real adventurous go-getters. I never thought of myself in that way. But many of the rest of them are.
Today we go to Aramco's North American headquarters for formal training. They flew three alumni of the program in and they will tell us what to expect. People from Aramco will tell us about the "Kingdom". So... lots of things to learn.
More later....

HOUSTON

My trip has begun. After a short trip to Chicago this a.m., I am now in Houston. I don't think I've ever left the airport in Houston before. It is definitely spring here - and the flowers are blooming and the grass is green. Lots of traffic - we are staying right downtown but our limo driver flew through it all and delivered us safely to our home for the next 2 nights - the Intercontinental Houston. It is a long way from the Days Inn.
So far I've met about 10 or so people who are part of our group. In a half hour, we will convene downstairs for conversation and dinner. It does seem odd to be meeting perfect strangers and realizing that we will spend the next two weeks together. So far, so good. The group is a mix of younger teachers and some who are older than me! About half men and women. And about half librarians and Social Studies teachers. I fit right in!
Thanks to everyone who wished me bon voyage. It will certainly be an adventure and I'm glad you are going along with me virtually.
(Sorry I can't show you the hotel - the webpage isn't opening.) Maybe it will open for you.

Taking Off!

In 36 hours, we will be on our way. I am ready. While I don’t know exactly what I will encounter as I go, I know that it will all be very different. I look forward to watching, listening, talking, and learning. I will try to share with you – my friends, colleagues, students and family- as I go. Check back when you can. And please leave comments!


On Tuesday, we will all meet in Houston for training at Aramco's North American Headquarters. On Thursday, we will leave on our long trip to Saudi Arabia!

Camera Test

Here are two pictures taken in the library




and here is a super zoom of the afghan yarn I am working on :)

Not bad for an amateur.

Countdown to 10

Ten days until we go! Each weekend, I try to take stock of where I am in regard to the trip. And so, here goes---

This week we got our flight itineraries. We will first fly to Houston for orientation at Aramco’s North American headquarters. Then we will fly to Dharhan via Amersterdam.
The actual number of hours in the airplane will be 9 hours and 20 minutes to Amsterdam and then 6 hours to Dharhan. And that’s just the plan! We have a five hour layover in Amsterdam. So now real travel time is 20.5 hours. But – it will be fun- new friends, new adventures. While I am looking forward to going… I am not looking forward to returning. That will 6 hours to Amsterdam, then 15 hours to Chicago and then a 5 hour layover before an hour to Madison. Somehow it all computes to a full 24 hours en route. I arrive home (in theory) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday April 10 and am planning to be at work the next morning.

The adventures of the camera. As you already know, after much research, I selected a camera and bought it online from a 5 star company. Well… after 2 weeks, a box arrived and it was WAY TOO BIG for a tiny camera. So I opened it and it was a Nintendo Wii.
Now I had never heard of this game before – but apparently it is in short supply and great demand. (Several young people offered to buy it from me) The price, if you can find it, is twice what I paid for the camera. So I called the company and explained the problem. The best they could offer was – you return the Wii and THEN we’ll send the camera. I cancelled the camera purchase (and returned the Wii). Then we went to a local camera store to try to buy the camera I wanted. It was out of stock. Two hours later, I had a new camera (made by Samsung - which I didn't know makes cameras) And now I need to learn to use it. Nothing is ever as simple as you would hope. I’ll try to post some pictures before I leave.

Several of my fellow travelers have now put up blogs. I have listed them to the right. They also are collecting creative gifts to give to our hosts. I'm afraid I am not up on the gifts - I have 4 small books on Wisconsin and a box of "motion W" pins from the University of Wisconsin athletic department. Maybe I'll try for some pencils or pens this week. But then maybe I won't. Many of my good intentions are being put by the roadside.

More later.... Go Badgers!

Baggage

This weekend I am all about baggage. I need to travel with as little as possible and bring extra luggage for the return trip. We have been told that we will be given many gifts.

While I have a basic suitcase, I need to get a messenger bag to carry all of the things that I will need to have with me throughout the day. So we went to REI and investigated their options. Too many choices.

The guest bed is now the staging area for this excursion. I had to buy little bottles of vitamins and aspirin – The Saudis want everything to be in its original packaging.

And then there are the electronics. I bought a new camera this week. Cameras today sure have lots of bells and whistles. I don’t need all those fancy features- but I do want to take great pictures. I also will bring my computer so I can upload pictures to this blog at night. I hope I can take movies with the same camera.

Then there are the things you can’t bring. The visa application stated rather emphatically that the penalty for drug possession is death. Visitors can not bring any symbols or literature of any religion beside Islam. That includes jewelry, books, etc. No liquor is allowed in the country. And no reading, music, or videos that are considered to be vulgar or obscene are allowed. I don’t have any problem with these rules – I just want to make sure that I don’t accidentally have anything on my ipod or in a book that someone in Saudi Arabia would find offensive.