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Folks, folks, folks. You don’t realize how difficult it can be to get outta this place. At least where I am. I understand this is not an issue everywhere but it just so happens, for some odd reason, I’d end up in a place that’s akin to breaking outta hell. And it is hell too ’cause it’s hot as shit over here. I don’t know how many times I’ve told you that already but I can’t express that enough.
Well, as for getting outta this place, I’m gonna have to reference this most recent story of this fella from Canada. Honey chile, let me tell ya…
Now, this guy came from another site called Kasim. He was sent to the location I’m in for a few weeks. Now, before he left Kasim, he’d been approved for his exit visa. Had booked his ticket for the 15th before he even got to where I’m located. Well, the guy who’s over this site, who’s a Saudi, is one helluva of a little fella. He’s about five-one, if that, so I’m legit in saying that ’cause I saw him myself when I met the U.S. Ambassador to Saudi.
Well, this fella who came here, and we’ll call him Canada since that’s where he’s from and was trying to get back to, was determined to catch his flight. Only when he came here, Five-One wasn’t having it. Canada got pissed and went to the J-O-B and started writing graffitti on the wall of the workplace. He got as far as ‘Go to hell, Dr…’ and who shows up but the Secret Police. Secret Police asked why he was doing such a thing. Well, Canada was scared shitless, naturally. He didn’t know what was gonna happen to him. All this is taking place at night, okay?
By the time the bus comes for him, everybody on the bus sees Canada washing the wall where he’s painted his special note to Five-One. When Canada finished washing the wall, a female colleague told him, “The best thing for you to do is get outta here.” Say that with a British accent if you want all the special effects. Well, she got back to the compound and assumed the role as his travel agent. He got as far as Riyadh and Five-One, found out the next the next day. Told the folks in Riyadh not to give Canada no exit visa and to send his ass back this way where we are. I think he’s on his way back right about now, so the story goes.
But this is the nature of what we’re dealing with here. At least where I am, you don’t go where you wanna at will. Even during breaks for 10 days, we’re confined to the compound. The one coming up soon, Five-One was trying to stop that too. For 20 days, we’d have to be on the compound again, driving each other to madness ’cause that’s where folk are headed with so few liberties. Even the Muslim women folk from other places are finding this a very difficult place to be. When I arrived in Riyadh, the driver told me, “Saudi is unlike any other place in the world.” Let’s hope so.
Anyhow, there was a petition put out, which I signed this morning, to put an end to Five-One controlling us the way he’s been. Little shit. Turns out Five-One’s decision was overridden, so I think he’s about five and one-half inches now. What I’d like to know is why y’all didn’t tell me what I was getting myself into when I came over here?
I'm an artist who's writing,mothering, blogging and doing a few other things under the sun. I buy toilet paper 99.9% of every trip I make to the grocery store. I'm a people watcher, so I know you're here but drop me a line anyway.
Girl, don’t tell me you’re gonna have a problem leaving! Geez, Tots, I hope not! Thanks for making me realize I have nothing to complain about – I come and go as I please. Five-one-half needs to GO!
It’s been a challenge for most. A woman’s son-in-law was killed shortly after I arrived here and Five-One said no to her request to go home, even for 3 days. I can’t imagine his wife even likes him.
Gosh, this feels like you’re in boarding school with some evil head teacher.
All the telling in the world isn’t the same as living it, as you well know. Sitting here in the states it’s pretty easy to think it can’t possibly be all that bad. You tell a great story. Sad thing is it’s the straight up truth.
Yeah, you’re over there sitting all pretty in your freedoms.
I know you must be doing very important work or you wouldn’t be there, but I do worry about you so far from home in such a difficult environment. I hope Canada can get home and I hope you can, too, when it’s time.
No so important really but regardless, who wants to be held captive…I may have a better chance than Canada since I wasn’t marking up buildings and whatnot. I hope he gets to go home too.
Wow. Just. Wow. Hang in there, Tots. Hope you (and Canada) get out of there safe and sound, and soon.
Wow is what I say too and then I have to laugh or I’d cry.
Now Totsy, if memory serves, seems to me I mighta mentioned that Saudi was pretty hard on women. When Alex was at Prince of Sultan Air Base, he was okay because it’s a big base and there were lots of people around. On top of the American troops, there were Brits, Frenchies, Saudis, and even Swiss. Plus,it was a mix of men and women. Go off the base, and you’re in a totally different world.
The UAE is pretty relaxed, heck, Kuwait is more liberal. For that matter, Iraq is more liberal than Saudi and so is Iran!
I’m just glad Mr. Canada didn’t end up in the town square getting punished for his crime of vandalism. Or end up in a Saudi jail. Seems to me pretty silly thing for a grown man to be doing.
Get ready for Ramadan and relax. It’s not that much longer! (Is it?)
It’s a hard place, for sure. The men can be quite intimidating too. I guess that’s what they’re going for though. This area’s pretty isolated and nowhere near progressive. I like some aspects of it, however. I wouldn’t discourage a visit here ’cause you can get here what’s lacking in other places.
Ramadan is three days away. In 20 minutes, my Muslim friend will come by to share some latest events (gossip), which we must do before Ramadan. That’s a very serious time, so I want to honor that time by refraining from anything that would disturb the cleansing period.
Tots,
it sounds like a world we have NO idea about…A world of confinement & dictatorship.
It makes one appreciate “FREEDOM” so much more, does’t it?
you will, that’s for sure….
Hoping you break free and come home soon, dear Tot. xxx
It’s been a slow and steady whirlwind of drama.
I will definitely appreciate freedom.
Tots, as you may recall, some of us DID try to tell you a few hints about Saudi and females, okay? This Kingdom ’tis NOT the land that celebrates Steel Magnolias, okay?
I was already here by that time. ‘Course, maybe I didn’t tell you I was heading this way. So, that’s what I get, huh…
Good luck with this Tots — and do be careful of what you write, even if it is not on somebody’s wall.
You can tell us all the rest when you are outta there.
What else can I say? You’re right.
Just keep thinking “Five-One” is going to be story gold for my future writing success …
Such an irrational little man. He would be good writing material.
I think you meant to say, I surely do love it hear with my freedoms constrained and my place defined. I can’t imagine my life without five one telling me how to decide..yes, that is what I think you meant to say.
Now me, that would be another story entirely I would be gnashing my teeth and throwing my head back to roar. My hair would fly madly in the whirlwind I would create as I spun like a dervish in the sands and I would paint with my fury on all of the walls…to purgatory with you tiny man.
But yes Totsymae, in your patience and your kindness I think you meant to say thank you five one for showing me the way of it.
Until you are home, we all hold you in our hearts for your safe return.
It’ll all iron itself out. Maybe there will be a break during Ramadan as he reflects on his ugly ways.
I trust that this too, shall pass. I know that you have the courage and determination to make the most out of it, and the knowledge that this is temporary, though it probably doesn’t feel like it right now. It won’t be too long, Totsymae.
I trust too. This isn’t the worst hostage situation. I do get to shop, work, eat what I want, have weekends off…I’m a lucky prisoner.
No, you’re no common prisoner, you!
F.R.E.E.D.O.M. – Your post does give new meaning to the word. Quite remarkable.
Remarkable indeedy. I’m kissing the ground of the U.S. one of these days.
More Americans need a dose of this get get properly appreciative.
You mean you need a dose too?