Around the neighborhood

Aramco is the oil company we work for in Saudi. Dhahran is the town where we live. It is a small town by state standards but the largest of Aramco's "camps." There are 11,000 people here all living in houses provided by the company for very low rent and no overhead. So beside an awesome paycheck, the incentives to come to Saudi are fantastic.

The people are nice, my job is great. Heather is getting more time with the girls and for herself which is wonderful. The girls have plenty to do between pre school and daycare. The pool and the park give us enough to do throughout the day to keep from getting bored. Taking evening walks are pretty great as a family I must say.

There is the heat and the dirt but is it hard to complain since we did decide to move into a desert on the equator of the planet. What do you expect, right?

Well. When I drive around I'm struck by how big this "camp" really is and that the town we live in is completely run and maintained by one company. I'm a teacher working in a community of engineers, doctors, drillers, geologists, accountants and all the myriad laymen that keep the oil flowing. Literally everyone on the compound is employed by Aramco or is a dependant or partner with someone who is working for the company.

Everywhere you look is a reminder of the desert you live in and the opulence an oil company revenue stream can provide.

Example: There is dirt and sand over here. Ah, we are in a desert.


And here is green grass and trees this way. Wha...? Desert, where? Remember it's 130 degrees outside.


And here is a golf course. With grass. Outside. In hot heat. Lava hot.

And here is some park equipment you can't go on until dark. Remember the sun? That keeps the fun play stuff nice and toasty until about 6:30. Then we can enjoy it for an hour before bedtime.

Bottom line: this town is pretty amazing for what it provides. The amenities and expense that goes into making this place feel like home is pretty incredible. And the 25 cent cokes and 35 cent gasoline are pretty sweet, too.