Post by Chindo1 on Oct 31, 2013 17:37:43 GMT
I apologize for the late posting. At the moment, I do not have a phone nor internet at my house thus the late posting.
October 23rd::
Got to the airport in Houston (IAH) and had issues with my dish barrel boxes that I had no choice but to pay for oversize luggage for the three of them. So please be aware that you could be charged by United airlines for your dish barrel boxes. Little did I know that the NSA staff were observing the interactions that when myself and another couple traveling to Germany got to the ID check, the lady on duty said to us not to let the rudeness and unprofessionalism on the United staff ruin our flight....which was nice of her to say to us. Nevertheless, it was a great and restful flight thanks to the business class service and comfort.
October 24th:
Landed at about 10:40 PM local time and waited in the immigration line for about 2 1/2 hours.....yes not a typo!!! A number of new Aramcons from different parts of the world were also in line (Some of us had our badges/nametags on our shirts).You just have to be patient because there are numerous flights coming in at that time coupled with the sometimes slow processing software at the counters. After clearing immigrations, picked up my luggage and predictably my dish barrel boxes were not on my flight which was very upsetting after dealing with the rather rude staff at the United Airlines counter. Made arrangements are the luggage counter to have the luggage delivered to me when they arrive. The two gentlemen I encountered at the counter were extremely friendly, courteous and eager to assist me.
Went through customs and met my Aramco contact who works in my department, who then led me to the Aramco lounge. There I gave my passport photos and passport, received a package and copies of my passport and visa page...stamped. Very important that you keep those close by as you will need them for a number things during your settling in process; afterwards, a cab was assigned to take me to ABQ. Got there at about 3AM was processed alongside another gentleman and finally got to walk into my assigned home a little after 4AM. TGIT!!!!!(Thank its Thursday!)
October 25th and 26th:
At about 10 AM a colleague that lives on the compound shows up and gives me a brief introduction of the camp, then I get to go through the packet, foodstuff and other utensils provided in the house sans my washer, dryer and telephone. My colleague called a number with regards to the "missing" items and was told that they had barely finished painting my place the morning I arrived so they couldn't install the appliances in time. Still don't have them and now have to request for them online when I get my SAP access. The few neighbors that I have interacted with, have been very helpful in allowing me to do laundry etc at their places......sure does help that a lot of the new people came from Houston as well.
Oct 27th:
My first day at work! Caught the bus at the first bus stop which is fortunately about a 150 yards from my place...at least I'm guaranteed a seat on the bus
The people at work are simply put....awesome! The Saudis are even the most helpful ones offering to give you a ride to appointments etc. Even had one that went with me in the event I needed an Arabic speaker. That said, someone has earlier alluded somewhere in the forum that you just have to be patient and take things one step at a time. That is probably the best advice you'll ever get. Keep an open mind and realize that things do take time to get done, but will get done!
Oct 28th:
Took the bus after work to the Mall and Saco. You will be surprised with what you'll find there. You just have to go see for yourself. Did I mention the gym at ABQ? Well, it has all you need to stay fit....nice chill spot.
Oct 29th:
Nothing much....work....gym....bought an internet usb at Al Mujamma for SAR120. This incude the usb and 5GB of internet data. Also, got a SIM card for SAR 25. The STC rep also mentioned that when I get my Iqama, I could get 3 months of unlimited data for SAR 300....do the math SAR 3.75 to 1.00 USD.
Oct 30th:
Got a cell phone for local calls. I use my tmobile phone and service for calls back home to the US since it is free roaming to receive calls and texts, and free placed wifi calls. Note it has to be a wifi call if not, the charge will be 20 cents per minute. As far as I know, only Tmobile has this for now, so I have been in touch with people and some that weren't aware of me leaving are shocked when I tell them where I'm calling from.
Ok......gotta go now have a Halloween party to attend off camp. more updates next week.
October 23rd::
Got to the airport in Houston (IAH) and had issues with my dish barrel boxes that I had no choice but to pay for oversize luggage for the three of them. So please be aware that you could be charged by United airlines for your dish barrel boxes. Little did I know that the NSA staff were observing the interactions that when myself and another couple traveling to Germany got to the ID check, the lady on duty said to us not to let the rudeness and unprofessionalism on the United staff ruin our flight....which was nice of her to say to us. Nevertheless, it was a great and restful flight thanks to the business class service and comfort.
October 24th:
Landed at about 10:40 PM local time and waited in the immigration line for about 2 1/2 hours.....yes not a typo!!! A number of new Aramcons from different parts of the world were also in line (Some of us had our badges/nametags on our shirts).You just have to be patient because there are numerous flights coming in at that time coupled with the sometimes slow processing software at the counters. After clearing immigrations, picked up my luggage and predictably my dish barrel boxes were not on my flight which was very upsetting after dealing with the rather rude staff at the United Airlines counter. Made arrangements are the luggage counter to have the luggage delivered to me when they arrive. The two gentlemen I encountered at the counter were extremely friendly, courteous and eager to assist me.
Went through customs and met my Aramco contact who works in my department, who then led me to the Aramco lounge. There I gave my passport photos and passport, received a package and copies of my passport and visa page...stamped. Very important that you keep those close by as you will need them for a number things during your settling in process; afterwards, a cab was assigned to take me to ABQ. Got there at about 3AM was processed alongside another gentleman and finally got to walk into my assigned home a little after 4AM. TGIT!!!!!(Thank its Thursday!)
October 25th and 26th:
At about 10 AM a colleague that lives on the compound shows up and gives me a brief introduction of the camp, then I get to go through the packet, foodstuff and other utensils provided in the house sans my washer, dryer and telephone. My colleague called a number with regards to the "missing" items and was told that they had barely finished painting my place the morning I arrived so they couldn't install the appliances in time. Still don't have them and now have to request for them online when I get my SAP access. The few neighbors that I have interacted with, have been very helpful in allowing me to do laundry etc at their places......sure does help that a lot of the new people came from Houston as well.
Oct 27th:
My first day at work! Caught the bus at the first bus stop which is fortunately about a 150 yards from my place...at least I'm guaranteed a seat on the bus
The people at work are simply put....awesome! The Saudis are even the most helpful ones offering to give you a ride to appointments etc. Even had one that went with me in the event I needed an Arabic speaker. That said, someone has earlier alluded somewhere in the forum that you just have to be patient and take things one step at a time. That is probably the best advice you'll ever get. Keep an open mind and realize that things do take time to get done, but will get done!
Oct 28th:
Took the bus after work to the Mall and Saco. You will be surprised with what you'll find there. You just have to go see for yourself. Did I mention the gym at ABQ? Well, it has all you need to stay fit....nice chill spot.
Oct 29th:
Nothing much....work....gym....bought an internet usb at Al Mujamma for SAR120. This incude the usb and 5GB of internet data. Also, got a SIM card for SAR 25. The STC rep also mentioned that when I get my Iqama, I could get 3 months of unlimited data for SAR 300....do the math SAR 3.75 to 1.00 USD.
Oct 30th:
Got a cell phone for local calls. I use my tmobile phone and service for calls back home to the US since it is free roaming to receive calls and texts, and free placed wifi calls. Note it has to be a wifi call if not, the charge will be 20 cents per minute. As far as I know, only Tmobile has this for now, so I have been in touch with people and some that weren't aware of me leaving are shocked when I tell them where I'm calling from.
Ok......gotta go now have a Halloween party to attend off camp. more updates next week.
