Saudi Arabia

Don't take your money in US Dollars and stay away from gathering places of large groups of US Citizens is my only advice.
jud

I personally would not. I'd rather be poor.

No beer, no women(to look at anyway) but lots of money. I was there 20+ years ago in the USN and the first two items were high on my agenda. Not the friendliest bunch of folks in the world either.

I had a friend contract to work in the Middle East for a year and they paid very well. He was not in a "hot zone" but was still issued a ceramic plate vest. Bombs went off periodically.

Like they say on Southpark skiing episode about frenchfrying when you should pizza, "you're gonna have a bad time". There is an opportunity to make a bundle, save it all and come back to the good life however, and you may like it after all.

On the other side of the coin (and the world) if you go to South America you will have a great time but there is no money there.

Take lots of pictures and post em..

I've never worked over there but I remember an older fellow I worked with during the oil boom back in the early 80's. He was a smart guy, much smarter than I gave him credit for at the time. He ketp telling me that he'd seen booms and busts before and that this one would end in a bust too. He said I should be saving all the money I could...at the time I thought I had nowhere to go but up and that even if things slowed down I would still have a job and it would still pay me $1k/week...He was right and I was soooooo wroooong.

What he told me about working abroad was this, he had worked in Libya for a year and said that he made a lot of money, but was miserable the whole time. He was on a remote site drilling for oil. He said that after he got home, by the time he found another job he'd blown most of the money he had made over there and at the end of it all, he was no better off than he would have been had he stayed here at home. What he had done was spent one of the most miserable years of his life for no real gain. Needless to say, he advised guys not to chase the "big money" overseas. I think he was right.

Besides, this is no time for an American to be in region. With Obama set to torpedo Palestinian membership in the UN and the Saudis threatening reprisals, not to mention ongoing US drone strikes in several countries over there.

An associate of mine recently returned from a year in Djoubiti (NE Africa). Long hours, no social life, never left the compound, but a pot full of money.

I suppose it's all about opportunities and priorities. Personally, I'd be there in a heartbeat.

Good luck

So Lewis and Clark are gonna survey Saudi Arabia... Who knew?;-)

Learn to speak with a Canadian accent, eh ?

Brad-

Lessons given at North Aboyne Farm.

TNAI

Check your e-mail.

Thanks for all of the posts. this is why I love this website. So many backgrounds different ideas and such. Good times. Thanks to all!!

I would rather be poor. Those nuts will cut your head off.

Do what you need to do to take care of yourself and your family. That's what I'm doing. Most of the horror stories are old, before technology. You can make it somewhat comfortable but off times tend to get boring. There is still no beer and women, officially. What happens inside of your compound may be different.

It is very hot in the summer. I've worked in 150 degree heat. Those heat indexes they show on the weather are completely false. 110 with humidity does not feel like 120 or 130. You need to drink a lot of water, sometimes a gallon per hour. Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, and a hat that covers your head and neck. Depending on how close you are to the coast, it will be humid also. Expect to wear gloves in the summer. Everything gets REALLY hot. I have a carbon fiber rover rod and have burned myself numerous times. The winters are pleasant though.

Come up with a plan to talk to your family on a regular basis. Saudi Arabia is probably UTC +3 so take that into account. Take your computer or get a netbook and use Skype. You can buy a year plan that allows you to call any US number for $30 and an option for a US phone number with any area code you want for $30. You can also do Skype to Skype for free and it includes instant messaging and video chat.

Beware of eating from vendors/restaurants outside of your compound. The hygiene is very different than in the US; think no toilet paper. Make sure to get a Hepatitis A and B vaccination. Get any vaccines they recommend or talk to your doctor. I also got a Typhoid and Polio vaccine.

Electricity is 220V so buy adapters. They are cheap like a few dollars. Do not plug anything in that will not run on 220V unless you are using a transformer. You can buy adapters to plug your computer into the 220 without a transformer. I wore out the charger for my beard trimmer that was only made for 110V by plugging it directly into 220V. I know when I went on a trip to Germany, we were told about this and I bought an expensive transformer that plugged into an outlet and mostly had my computer plugged into it. That was a waste. The company you may work for might have a store and have these items. The transformer I have now is a big black thing with two US style outlets and a three foot long cord to plug into the 220. You may end up working in a camp and if you are primarily all US expats, they may have converted the electricity to 110.

Safety is also a concern. Do NOT travel alone. Airports are secure but don't go to markets or other places alone. Avoid slums. Always know where you are going and if not, go with someone that does. Make sure people know where you are going and when you'll be back. Make it a point to be back when you say you will. Do not take taxis where the driver is pushing you into his cab. Take one that you choose. Saudi Arabia is pretty safe as is the UAE. I feel safer there than in many of the urban areas of the US I've worked.

If you have any questions, please ask. I will do my best to answer. If I don't know, I will tell you. Feel free to email me if you want.

I just re-read your original post and you said Arab world and not Saudi Arabia. I have been in both Iraq and Afghanistan, too and they are very different than what I wrote. Feel free to email me.

at least you won't have to worry about women drivers 🙂

A friend of mine was there some years ago. I wasn't pretty, but he got through it.
In talking with him, I know that insurance can be kind of a big deal. Personally, I'd have it out the wazoo for my family.
It seemed that a separate, private policy which included international medevac was a good idea. A lot of world travelers have this type of policy which will get you the F out of dodge with medical support on route, no questions asked. Even an appendix that gets sideways can a big deal in the wrong part of the world.
Good luck. It could be a great opportunity.

I know I said Arab world, but I was more commenting on their 'Mentality?' than the locations, it would be in Saudi Arabia. I am actually looking forward to it. I appreciate your input, by far the most detailed and realistic. One question I do have is are we as foreigners allowed to 'pack' some of our own 'Personal Protective Equipment' (ie, 1911 .45 ACP with an oversized clip)?

I doubt it. I honestly don't know though. I would run that type of information through your client. Are they providing you with some sort of security?

I do see where I got Saudi Arabia; the title. DOH!

Thanx

I appreciate all of the posts and information. This website is an awesome resource for those who take their profession serious enough to put extra time and effort into learning. there is a lot to be worked out yet with this trip but I will keep everyone posted on the details.