Bill Bowles

Bill Bowles is a media specialist from Western International High School in Detroit. He and I both represent the Detroit area and the State of Michigan on this trip.

He is a very intelligent and thoughtful person, who had traveled widely throughout the world. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to have this experience with him. I look forward to working together with Bill in the wake of our trip to Saudi Arabia.

Controversy

As a group of 25 teachers, we have always wondered whether or not we would see the "real" Saudi Arabia - good, bad, and ugly on this trip.

So far, we've seen mostly good (which we expected) but we certainly have been free to talk about the bad and the ugly.

Yesterday, three of us went for an unescorted walk for two hours around Jeddah with the blessings of our Saudi hosts. Today we want to do the same thing.

We have talked about the following issues so far: women's rights (driving, marriage, divorce, clothing, education) and the Annapolis peace conference between the Israel and the Palestinians and the Saudi sentiment.

We will press for more access and discussion. So far, I've been surprised with the honesty of our Saudi hosts in not trying to pretend this country is in any way perfect.

Girls Rule!

I was absolutely amazed at the talent, preparedness, and motivation of the young women I met at a school today in Saudi Arabia. They were all studying in anticipation of spending their college years abroad. Here are some photos and video from my visit.

Surprising Schools

Today we visited three schools here in Dhahran. The first was a private school about 10 minutes from where we're staying, the second was a training school for high school graduates who will attend college in the USA, Canada, or the UK. The students' education is paid for by the Aramco company, and they will work for the company upon graduation.

We were all amazed at the facilities, curriculum, and overall the people. The quality of what we saw would have made any American feel right at home. English was spoken well by nearly everyone.

What was most impressive was the fact that the number of women working for Aramco is growing rapidly. These women are very much on the cutting edge of social change here in the kingdom as they prepare to leave home to go to college.

All About Oil

Today we went to the Aramco Petroleum Institute, which featured a hands-on museum. I learned an enormous amount about the oil industry "from ground to gas tank."

We had a wonderful lunch, then toured the Aramco compound, which is its own city. Unfortunately, we couldn't ride the horses.

We then visitied the Heritage Center, a small museum focusing on the history and culture of the Arab and Muslim world.

We're back in our rooms at Steineke Hall, and I'm ready for bed. The jet lag has caught up with me!

Detroit Free Press Article

Check out this article on my trip that appeared in Friday's Detroit Free Press.

Saudi Thanksgiving

On Friday evening, after a day at the beach, we enjoyed an amazing Thanksgiving dinner, Saudi-style. We actually had turkey, (which apparently no one eats in Saudi Arabia) and even pumpkin pie. I was pretty amazed.

The people who work in the service industry in the KSA (hotel staff, food servers, maintenance staff) are all foreigners. They typically from India, Phillipines, and Pakistan.

Ras Tanura Resort

Check out the video below (sorry it's out of order.)

I had a great time playing soccer with some kids and hanging out at the beach on the Arabian (Persian) Gulf. We spent the entire day swimming, playing volleyball and soccer, eating and talking. They even had a bowling alley, although we just watched.

It was a great way to spend my first day in the KSA!

Flight Photos Part Two

This is a guy wearing a Barry Sanders Detroit Lions jersey. It even said "Sanders" on the back. I met him just after I landed in the Bahrain airport. I introduced myself, told him I was from Detroit, and that I liked Barry. He had no clue what I was talking about! I guess he liked the jersey, though.

Photos from Flight

Questions Asked...Questions Answered!

Thanks to all the amazing posts to the blog. I want to send a big "Shout Out" to all the amazing BCS kids who've been posting. You guys rock. Mr. Wallington's class is out of this world!

While I can't reply to all your questions individually, I will do my best to answer everything that people have asked so far. Here we go:

After a two-day training in Houston, I arrived yesterday after a 21 hour journey on Lufthansa German Airlines from Houston to Bahrain. Bahrain is actually a tiny country in the Arabian (Persian) Gulf which is connected to KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) by a 15-mile bridge called a causeway, which is a low bridge over water. It is actually the longest Causeway in the world.

Houston was wonderful, but nothing compared to the experience of being in a foreign country for the first time, especially one that is so far away which has some unique cultural aspects. The best Mexican food in the U.S.A. is at a restaurant in Southwest Detroit called Mi Pueblo. Go there! I like the tacos and tortas.

When you greet someone in the KSA, you say in Arabic, "Wah-sa-laam Alei-kum," which means "Peace be with you."

There are 24 other teachers from all over the USA on this trip, including a Media Specialist from Western International High School in Southwest Detroit named Bill Bowles. I'm making friends with everyone.

The KSA is eight hours ahead of Detroit. Right now it's 1:05am Saturday here and 5:05 p.m Friday afternoon in Detroit. My body thinks it's 5:05pm, that's why I'm still wide awake. I haven't quite adjusted from the jet-lag.

I didn't see any armadillos in Texas, but I saw a cool fish some boys caught at the Arabian (Persian) Gulf today. I'll post the picture above. I also saw some small fish jump out of the water while I was swimming.

In Houston it was 77 degrees both days I was there. Check the KSA weather here. It was about 88 degrees here today. Unbelievably gorgeous:-)

Rachel Mucha, the woman in the picture from Houston was named Alma, and she was teaching us about life in the KSA. She reminded me of my cousin Lori, because she's Lebanese like my grandparents.

I definitely miss all of you, my students, so much, and I can't wait to come back and share more amazing stories and fascinating artifacts.

Katie Powell, there's actually a teacher on this trip from Vermont who teaches on an island in Lake Champlain. It's like Grosse Isle on the Detroit River, if you know where that is.

People in Texas and In Saudi Arabia both speak English with accents that are different from how we speak in Michigan. I can demonstrate when I get home.

I have eaten incredibly well everywhere I've been. Check out the pictures above from our special Saudi Thanksgiving dinner.

Lewis, the economy is Saudi Arabia is driven by petroleum exports. It is also a huge concern of the USA to keep the oil flowing so we can drive our cars and trucks, to name just two things we use oil for. As I learn more about oil production and distribution, I'll share.

I had a roomate from New Jersey, Robert, at the hotel in Texas, but while here in KSA, I've got my own room. I'm pretty lucky!

Malcom, I miss my wife and kids very much. I'm trying to use Skype to video conference with them. I'll let you know how that goes. It worked in Houston. Check out the picture above of a teacher "Skyping" with his family.

Here in KSA I'm staying at the Aramco companies headquarters. They have a dorm here, which is kind of like a hotel. The headquarters is surrounded by a fence, and is enormous. It's really more like a small city. Check out more info on where I'm staying here.

Lily, Arabian horses come from KSA, and if I see any, I'll post a photo. They don't farm too much here, although there is a small dairy industry. Here's more.

Frankie, I'll tell you all about the kids I meet when we go to schools for visits.

Nick A, I was on the 7th floor of my hotel in Houston. I really only saw Houston from the freeway, since we were busy all day both days, but I did get out to Chuy's Restaurant (see previous post.)

Keep the questions coming, everyone!

Arabian Gulf Exploration

I Made it!

Hi everyone!

I arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday morning at 1:30am local time (5:30pm on Thursday, Detroit time.) All is most well.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.

I'll post pictures as soon as my laptop is up.

Love to all,
Rick

Tex-Mex at Chuy's

The hand-held buzzer vibrated and blinked madly, seeming to proclaim, "Yes! Yes! Yes! Your table is finally ready. You can go grab a seat." At long last. Something must be special about a place that made us wait 30 minutes on a Tuesday night.

Our eclectic group of 15 teachers from around the country snaked carefully through the jam-packed, neo Tex-Mex diner to find our spot. I felt like I had slipped into an Ozzie-and-Harriet-meets-Speedy-Gonzales heaven as I glided onto my red vinyl seat with aluminum tubing and perched my elbows on the Formica table top with metal trim. This was a Texas experience. Our last hurrah before setting off the next day on a 21 hour odyssey to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

How authentic could this be, I wondered, my purist mexicano food instincts taking over. The menu offered an impressive array of enchiladas, burritos, and ensaladas, but no tortas. I decided to relax and just order what I could typically rely on: tacos. They were mediocre. The sliced skirt steak was tough and the tortillas flavorless. But, bueno, the company was excellent.

Outside my Hotel Room

Aramco U.S. Headquarters

Happy in Houston

Hi all! Rick Seefelt drove Bill Bowles and me to Metro Airport to begin our odyssey. Our flight left at 12:15pm. Bill is a media specialist (formerly known as "librarian") at Western International High School in Detroit. He has traveled extensively, and is a fascinating guy. You'll see him in these photos.

Our flight went very well. When we arrived in Houston, we found our shuttle bus and joined 10 other teachers for the ride to the Houston Intercontinental Hotel where we're staying. My roommate at the hotel is a high school teacher from New Jersey named Robert. When we get to Saudi Arabia we have our own room.

We had a great dinner and opening meeting last night, where all 25 teachers introduced themselves. We are an exciting group with many diverse interests.

This morning (Tuesday) we are going to the Saudi Aramco headquarters for an orientation on Saudi Arabia. Enjoy the photos!

My Fabulous Family

This is my wife Mary Beth, my sons Zachary (8) and Nicholas (5), and our dog, Buddy. The photo was taken in our living room on Saturday. I will miss my family dearly, and I look forward to bringing them with me on my next big trip!