Stories

Sometimes all we need is to bring back the kid in us..the innocent little kid that wants to play..to explore..as an adult that are so routinely living up to this very day, sometimes we should have to look inwards and seek the child in all of us..to seek those little pleasure..to be mesmerized to those wonders..to be amazed at those colors and lights.. And one way to do it is my way; going to Marina Mall in Dammam near Cornich and just stay to be a child again..and for a little while I was transferred again to those Wonder Lands of my childhood memories!

I might say I am officially into this work now since I have the new uniform! In this way I am becoming part of the company..of the brand it wants to promote..its integrity..its values and philosophies that we should embrace..welcome to Nomac!! and yes finally goodbye Kepco Philippines! Thank you for the wonderful years of stay..thanks a lot and I will look back in my days at Ilijan with all smiles of happy memories..of triumphs..of camaraderie..and most of all; blessings that I have met one of the most wonderful persons I have been to in those years.. And I am looking forward for more years here at Nomac..goodluck to me..goodluck to us!

We think of this Kingdom as boring maybe..we think this place as boring as desert..but hey stop that notion..this place is so alive and kicking and full of life!! full of lights..of sounds and many scenic place to visit..just like the cornich..the waterfront..in my times of despair and loneliness I come here..sometimes alone..mostly alone..just listening to the wind..to the rushing wind and somehow my mind echoed in the middle of nowhere..and just a few nights ago I was amazed and surprised to see a ferris wheel nearby..and some recreational facilities around the waterfront..

At the Waterfront Dammam last night..very good park that stretch some kilometers in the cornich of Dammam..nice view of the sea..of the romantic sunset (applicable only if you have loved ones here hahaha!)..for me? no..just roaming around and waiting for the night to envelope the whole city..freedom to walk..to think and just relax..some of the perks of living alone in a very far away country..I can be alone but definitely not lonely..I have some of my friends and co-workers too when I visit some spots here but sometimes all I wanted is just myself..just wandering around..no sense of time..no sense of hungry-ness? nope..after this visit I ate at the BK! (next post please hehehe!)

And to continue the story on my last post..I went to Al-Shatea Mall..and yes before I forget to mention..there are two things that somehow very unique here in Dammam or in the Middle East as a whole..in every place especially in dining area (restaurant and others) there are always a division between a family section and for single section..sometimes we get mingled in the family section and the guard informed us to go to the other section..it applies also in a mall or any place admissible..and the other thing? well in every food chain or restaurant there is at least one Filipino crew..and yes I can speak in our native tongue when I am ordering something..just like in my lasagna dinner in the said mall..and in Krispy Kreme just near the mall above.. And the third thing I see as common here? the taxi drivers are always all from Bangladesh..and sometime I got the chance to have some conversation with them..mostly are staying or working here for five years and above..they go home yearl...

Simple walking..I just did..No one to bother..no one to scare..freedom..just staring at nothing..thinking..on a cold windy afternoon..I passed by the iconic Dammam Palace hotel ( my home for about 15 days!) and just roamed around..walking..till I saw this park..an ordinary park..women, children, family, friends, everything were just happy..were they? just like me? walking around..passing the time in a lazy day..where is the direction? I was lost in this city..no sense of north or east or west..just keep on walking..and I sat..to my surprise it was my needs..to just sit..and relax..and see those kids playing around..some are busy running and running and just keep on circling the small plaza..some boys were busy kicking those ball and mimicking a great football player..busy doing their stuff..and me..just sitting..and I was tired..no sense of time..no sense of direction..I guess not..I just sit..and watched as time went by..minutes..minutes and I stood..and walked without knowing wher...

Two nights ago my room-mate invited me to go Mall of Dharan. It took us about 25 minutes to be there. I heard much about this mall even from the "oldies" here in Dammam. The mall was located near Khobar and it was my first time to go there. And to my surprise it was like a giant SM-Megamall or even twice the size. It was so big and so modern unlike other malls here. And that night there were so many people around (winter sale I guess!) and so many women but as usual with their native dress! There were so many foreigners too. I loved that Mall of Dharan! And the best of all? There were so many coffee shops and restaurants! I guess I will have my favorite hang-out now hahahhaa!! And for the first treat we ate at Nola's Market - a local coffee shop inside the mall.

Yes finally!! My Iqama (resident permit - to legally stay here in Saudi) has just arrived..and I can do more now here in Saudi without the fear of being caught or asked by the police..I can roam around much more free and buy much more things ( of course with Riyals hehehe)..Thanks to our fellow Filipino in the office who prioritized the processing of our permit..thanks be to God indeed! and the the card below is our Bupa or the health insurance that whatever happened to us here we are insured by our company..these two important cards here are the tools for survival here..and of course Riyals hahahaha!!

Unnecessary? Necessary? Unpopular? Wrong decision? Right decision? And now I am well-adjusted here. I just want to recall what has happened. I know this is a big ordeal for me and a very life-changing decision but now I am quite happy to be here. I have remembered Ivan from the agency and he insisted to me to think and accept the job offer because it is indeed a very life-changing career move. And I got it. I was decided that time to leave. I consulted almost everyone close to my heart and they say "Yes go ahead". And finally I have asked my self too that question. And no doubt I have to take this opportunity. And on that fateful Sunday I have photographed the plane that brought us here in the Kingdom. I had time before the flight, to call my Ate Arlyn, Inay and Tiya Empen. Somehow my fear has subsided that time. I was afraid of what is really to see and experience in this country. I was so afraid of the stereotyped and sometimes baseless judgement about working and li...

And who says the Desert has no decent coffee shop? Well you are dead wrong! Seattle's Best? Starbucks? Name it..and they are all here..In Dammmam..in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia! And thanks God I can continue my quest for that thirst and love of coffee..last week we were in Shiraa Mall and we sat and drank coffee at Seattle's Best..A few days ago at the Cornich I have found Aroma Cafe and sipped those much needed hot drink to combat the cold evening weather..and just a few days too I have found the King of all! Starbucks at the middle of Dammam! At the Al-Shatea Mall just beside Jarir Bookstore and Sheraton Hotel..and yes you are right one of the barista was Pinoy..and it was not surprising that most of the shops here you will find a Filipino crew and staff..

Yesterday at Dammam's Corniche..cold wind..the sea side..dreaming of the Philippines? not really..just reminiscing..just having some time to be alone..to go on reflecting on oneself..and just walking with no end in sight..just enjoying the breeze..a beautiful escape!