ARABIA AND ARAMCO INTERESTING PRACTICES AND EXPERIENCES

Consulate Dhahran

Today I am watching a History program with my grandson.  In our discussion we were talking about things that are prohibited in places around the globe.  I was in Arabia from March 1983 until October of 1986.  My friends tell me some things have improved and some are the same and some have gotten worse.  I think it changes frequently, so my comments are just about my limited experiences.  I will just touch on some of the things that were limited or forbidden. 

The first thing that comes to mind is the biggest, religion.  Only mosques exist.  Buildings cannot have architectural design that includes a cross.  this includes windows.  This does not mean that church was not held.  The Roman Catholic Church, and the Episcopal Church met in living accommodations occupied by an employee that held the services. The General Protestants met regularly in a large gym on the compound.  No printed matter stayed behind.  We rarely had anything to go by, but when we did there was someone at the door making sure it was shredded.  I shall never forget.  We had a visiting Presbyterian minister who was the father of an employee who was standing in for the regular minister.  It was Easter.  He was speaking about the physiological effects of crucifixion.  He had made a mock-up of Christ on a cross.  Of course, it was too large to get all the way into the car so across campus he drove with Christ hanging out the window.  It was quite a job getting rid of all the parts before leaving the service. He scared his daughter so bad.



Booze Making Stuff



Booze was another forbidden thing.  That is not to say that there was not a lot of it there.  The first night I was there, I was taken by my boss to dinner at a private home.  We had very good Brit beer.  The guys from the UK did a great job of making and especially drinking.  Everyone had their "friend" who supplied it for them.  We usually got in at least one severe burn a year.Up until the fifties, every male that came into the company was issued a booze making apparatus.   I made my own wine.  Take a grape juice bottle that came with a enamel top, remove the rubber stopper, put a few grains of yeast , some sugar, in the bottle and let it go to work. I could never let mine age.  After about a week, it was wonderful but had almost no alcohol build up. 

Pork was another thing that was not allowed.  Well, ARAMCO had a pork store where the infidels could buy bacon and other  pork products.  I think that has gone away since the Gulf War. Upon arriving to the airport, one family was bringing their guinea pig. They would not let the pet into the country because pigs were not allowed.  Honest!

Going out to eat was a treat.  However, there was a regular place to sit and a family area.  Women could only sit in the back, usually less desirable area.  When Dairy Queen opened, I went with a family from the base into Al Kobar.  The man in the group asked what I wished, and my order was a Peanut Parfait.  I sat down.  I had forgotten that I was to go  to the back.  In just a few seconds every dark brown male eye was staring me down.  I realized I was in the very wrong place.

Of course western clothing for women was frowned upon.  We generally did not have to wear traditional gear if we were only in Al Kobar if we had our neck, wrists and ankles covered.   But if not on the bus going from one base to the other, it was expected that we  wear the clothing.  I frequently would ride with an administrator who was Arab from one hospital or clinic to another.  I wore my abaya and veil.

The one thing that was the absolute worst was the public whippings, and amputations of hands or fingers.  When shopping, we were summoned to the main courtyard in the town.  The buses stopped, and the stores and restaurants closed and we were herded to see the punishment.  I found this picture and it is very much like one of the three of such occurrences that I remember.

Prayer time is always respected.  If you had not eaten,you could not get into a restaurant.  However, if you were eating, the shades would be drawn and you would be allowed to stay inside and continue eating until it was over.  The sound of call to prayer is so pronounced that I can close my eyes and hear it.

More at a later time.