Saving

Calculated on current exchange rates which are in my favour at the moment.

In Saudi Arabia I am earning $2700 or 10,500 Riyals (R26,300). Though I hope to get $3000 (R28,100) per month after my 3 month probation period. 

Of this my expenses are almost completely on food and toiletries. I don't have travel expenses as the school provides my transport, no tax, no electric or other utility bills, and no entertainment budget. The odd thing crops up now and then, like an iron, paints for my hobby, a dinner out. But usually I spend around 2000 - 2500 riyals per month and send home the rest without really trying very hard to save. 

That's savings in the range of about R20 000 per month.

In Korea I earned 2.4 million Korean Won or about $2100 (R20 000). 

My expenses included tax, utilities, travel, and entertainment, food, and toiletries. Which cost in the range of 800 000  - 1mil KRW per month. Please note that I was not saving very hard at this point and I'm sure you could get away with 600 000 - 800 000 spending money a month. 

That's savings in the range of about R10 000 per month (the exchange rate was lower during my time in Korea)

Janadria Festival

The Janadria Festival is definitely worth a look if you have the time and someone to accompany you. The festival is held in April and is about 45minutes drive outside of Riyadh. It celebrates the history of Saudi culture and development and each year they invite one country to share their culture. This year it was China. 

The festival is free and safe. The police are quite at ease with foreigners not covering their hair and its the most westerners I have seen in one place since I arrived in Saudi Arabia. 

The festival is set up like a city, with different little 'villages' that you can walk through, representing one city like Riyadh or Jeddah. The culture, tradition and history of each city is displayed in the little 'village' through either stalls selling local products, or local song and dance. Lots to see and eat!

Men and women sit in separate areas for the shows. - even make separate queues at the ATM.

Lots of dates cookies and date products

South Korea by Comparison

I mentioned that you need to keep yourself occupied with some indoor hobbies in Saudi, so now I want to mention some of the things that kept me busy in Korea. 

Although I don't like shopping, shopping in Korea could be fun. There was a local market on the 2nd, 12th, 22nd and 5th, 15th and 25th of every month that sold fresh foods. This was always an interesting experience if you don't mind the crowds. The exotic foods - live eels, crabs, fish, strange plants - was always fun and interesting, especially if you go shopping for groceries with a friend and then spend the evening cooking together with a bottle (or 2) of wine. 

Hiking, going to any of the many coffee shops, eating out, going for a few drinks, watching movies, bowling, taking a weekend trip to the beach or into Seoul, were all viable options since most of the foreigners were young, single and like-minded. 

Almost 3 Months In

It's been almost 3 months and I feel like I have a good idea of what's going on and give some helpful information. 

A silhouette of Faisalia Tower on the right

Compared to Korea, the lifestyle is very boring and isolated. It is hard to meet other westerners as they only other westerners in the area seem to be mostly married couples. 

It's difficult to hang out with the women I work with because they have families and are not very out-going in general. And, of course, there is the lack of common interest. I feel guilt when I talk about my travel experiences or driving or the freedom I have to do what I want to do without supervision or curfew or permission. My parents have always supported and trusted me in my independence and for that I am very grateful. It's makes it difficult to relate to each other, and I have to choose my phrasing wisely so as not to offend. I hear myself saying, "It's just different. Different culture," a lot by way of almost apologising for having had so many experiences to share. Many of the women I have spoken to are very open to my talking about my travels and say that they envy me, but I don't know how to reply to that. Sorry?

Something I'm very conscious of when on the escalator

Kingdom Tower - A mall and a sky bridge 25riyals

A view from the bridge. The sign says no photography but they were really not concerned about it. 

Inside Kingdom Tower Mall -  the third floor is exclusively for women

When I say there is not much to do, I realise that being bored is a choice. I have tried to fill the void by practicing some hobbies I know I don't usually have much time for, like painting. But I usually paint outside and that is not an option here. Photography is limited. Hiking, exercising outside, all limited due to the weather, abayas, and appropriate public behaviour.

I don't really like shopping so I don't go to the big malls. But even if I wanted to, the effort seems too great. I didn't mind getting lost in Korea because buses were cheap and taxi's very affordable. And if you know your address you are sure to find your way home. Here, on the other hand, taxi's are not very cheap and you don't give an address. You need to give directions and descriptions of what's well known near your address, an almost impossible task if you don't speak the language and don't know the area. A daunting one to say the least. That much effort for a cup of coffee in a mall hardly seems worth it, though I suppose I need to change my attitude.

My other hobby of cooking is limited by the fact that I don't have an oven or microwave...not even a little oven like the one I had in Korea but still managed to make exotic pizza's and roasts in. 

I didn't bring any books to read cos I thought I would buy myself a kindle to help with the weight of books. And I was too late to apply for a distance learning course...so think about that before you come here. 

Please keep in mind that I am not in a Westerner compound, which I think would make living here a lot easier. 

Transport

Korea:

Public transport:
Buses- local & intercity, local come about every 20min, 1500 KRW if using a card, 1800KRW if using cash. Very affordable and convenient but I heard they may stop these buses in some cities. Swipe on and off - in transferring to another bus within 1 hour, it's free.

Taxis- flat rate 2500KRW, after 12am = 2800KRW. Taxis are affordable if not used everyday. Taxi drivers don't speak English usually & can't understand our accent when pronouncing addresses so use a Korean accent (bus terminal = bus-uh terminal-uh). Often unfriendly. Don't like to drive short distances.

Scooters: 50cc now require a licence in most cities but you can still get away with it in smaller cities. Be careful! Especially of other drivers and ice/snow. 2nd hand from 350 000KRW - a cheap, highly convenient mode of transport, but gear up for winter.

Bicycles: If you're up for it.

Walking is safe, even alone at night. Just be wary of red light districts, stay on busy roads. Be firm and assertive if approached by men.

Saudi:

Workplace provide buses for female staff too and from work.

No public transport other than taxis - Taxi drivers very willing to stop for you but there is not meter so know how much you should pay, they will ask you more than they should counting on you not knowing any better. Affordable.

Women are not allowed to drive, ride scooters or bicycles.

Walking is safe at night for short distances. During the day it's fine, even alone - try not to look lost, ignore any men saying hello to you, be firm and assertive...no smiling, cover your hair to avoid unwanted attention.

Shop Times

Korea:

Open - Around 10am
Close - Around 10pm with big stores like Emart closing at 12am

Weekends: Saturday & Sunday - similar hours

Saudi:

Open - Around 8am
Close - Around 10pm

But shops are closed for about 40min every prayer time -about 3 times a day (can get smartphone app with prayer times)

Weekends: Thursday - normal Friday - open at around 4pm

Medical Tests

Korea:

Medical test

-       Blood

-       Heart and lungs = suction cups in awkward places

-       Eyes

-       Ears

-       Teeth

-       Weight & height

-       Blood pressure

-       Check for drugs and cholesterol

ARC – alien registration card = ID for getting cellphone, bank account etc.

Saudi:

Medical test

-       Urine & faecal sample

-       Blood

-       Lungs

-       Check for HIV, Hep A, B, C, pregnancy

Iqama – ID for getting bank account, cellphone recharge.

Note: Can get local sim card using passport.