On a daily basis there are things that cross my mind about the differences between here and home.  There isn’t really a theme so bear with me!

• Paper products here are not at all what we have in the States.  Kleenex type tissue is placed on tables in restaurants often instead of napkins.  At least they are unscented!!
• Toilet paper comes on really large paperboard rolls so the amount of actual toilet paper is not a lot.  This must have some direct correlation to the sprayer and hose found beside every toilet here.
• On parking attitude: “…if there is half a space between cars it’s enough for me. Who cares if half my car is still in the street!”
• The major streets here are usually boulevards which means there is a center median so not only does one have to watch for cars turning in front of you, overtaking you from behind, you also have to watch out for the ones heading at you on the wrong side of the road because it’s a shorter distance than to the next U-turn!
• Grilled tomatoes are VERY popular here!  I have a hard time with them because of the texture and usually can’t eat them.
• Ketchup is served with just about everything!!  I’m pretty sure that if I ordered a doughnut and coffee it will come with 2 packets of ketchup!!  I often get chicken and rice for lunch and yes, it comes with ketchup!  I have yet to use the ketchup.
• Coffee is a very big deal here but the coffee in the office is instant, not even drip!
• Gas here is 42 cents per gallon!!  And it’s full service!!
• There is so much construction happening here!  It’s not fast but it’s everywhere you look!
• I finally found a laundry/dry cleaner: shirts and pants are $0.80/each!! And they do them in 24 hrs.
• The mall I live above has these wonderful dress boutiques with incredibly beautiful long dresses but I have not seen a woman wearing anything but an abaya.  So where do the dresses get worn?
• Apparently it’s only Americans that tip
• There is only one holiday in Saudi that is not religious; that is today, Saudi National Day.
• The streets remind me of Vegas; there is dirt and debris.  I think it’s a desert thing.  There is almost never any rain to clean everything.  I might actually be starting to miss the rain a bit!
• Some things are really inexpensive here; a bottle of water is about $0.27 but a bottle of contact solution less than half the size of the standard water bottle is about $9.00!  I’m bringing a couple bottles back with me!
• Apparently one does not require a prescription for medications here!  Just walk into the Pharmacy and ask for what you need/want!  I can’t believe that’s true for the serious stuff though I haven’t tried nor will I!
• I can’t find dryer sheets….you know the softener things
• At work there are guys who do nothing but clean the restrooms on our floor!  Every floor has this.  They are always there…..at least they don’t hand you the paper to dry your hands and then expect a tip like they do in some restaurants in the States!!  I’d go broke just paying off the paper guy!
• It’s very strange to see construction workers wearing sandals and a hardhat!
• I bought an expensive candle for my apartment but they didn’t have matches or a lighter.  It took me 2 weeks to find a place that sold lighters!  What I don’t understand – lots of people smoke here, I’ve only seen cigarettes sold in one store and why is it so hard to find a lighter or matches?  It’s nice to have a nice smelling candle.

Good night.  Time for me to go to bed….