First Week: 

I arrived back in the Middle East late Saturday night after traveling via Washington on United. The flight was quick and relaxing. I had a good seat and the other passengers seemed to know the drill. Quiet down and get your sleep in before the time change.

The food, as always, was horrid. I was so glad I packed some snacks from home.

I was not clearly instructed on how to get through Visa or Customs with my work permit and NOC. I just went through assuming I did not need a new Visa and I was correct. After 45 minutes of waiting on my two massive suitcases I headed to suitcase screening. I always like to see what happens when your bags go through the customs xrays. These gentlemen were looking at their phones and sent me on my way. I didn't have anything but I am always curious to see what they look at and what they do not.

On a trip to Nepal I had a pair of cuticle scissors that were taken away upon leaving Nepal because they "didn't allow" that in their country...what a joke.

I arrived at my company apartment. My expectations were set way too high. The place was in a sketchy looking area. The room which was suppose to be an apartment capable of supporting you for 2 months was a tiny room. I took one look around and wanted to turn around screaming. I reread my emails from my employer to make sure I wasn't in the wrong room or see if I had my expectations too high but nothing checked out.

Needless to say the first night I did not sleep. 

The next few days followed the same- no sleep, orientations, barely any food and exhaustion.

I began looking for apartments knowing 1.) I couldn't stay the full 2 months in this...place & 2.) My husband would soon join.

After finding the perfect villa style home I found a realtor much to my chagrin and visited the apartment. One big difference in the country I reside in now and another GCC is that realtors do almost all of the apartments so you are wasting your money paying the realtor fee.

 Living in the Middle East I knew some cultures were turned off by dogs in the home. I never realized how bad it actually was here. Every home and every Realtor has shunned away from me when I say I will have a dog in the home. Some try the whole  "You can sneak him in. Does he have to go outside?" I wanted to scream. It is like no, let's let him live inside and be miserable. 

Many of the apartments are either too small, too outdated or just too over priced. I thought other large cities in the world were expensive in rent but this one takes the cake, especially for the quality of home. No homes so far have had any grass areas. Even courtyards with grass seem to be far and few between.

I hope this 2nd week gets better. My goals are to find an apartment, learn my way around a few areas & figure out some good super markets.

Good Night Middle East

Bell in Arabia