Riyadh GPS Coordinates

Trying to find a place in Riyadh is kinda pointless unless you've been there. Even if you are armed with the latest Garmin GPS, you still won't find it without coordinates. If I had a list of Coordinates when I first moved here, I would have been so happy...so... I thought I'd compile a list together of GPS Coordinates of places that I frequent. They should be pretty accurate. If it's wrong, let me know and I'll change it. I'll also continue to update this list so it's easier for people to find places.

Enjoy!

Riyadh Chinese- 24.115156n 46.6971248e

cordoba compound- 24.810869N 46.7226863E

Seder Village- 24.7753888n 46.8026537e

LuLu Hypermart- 24.6629889N 46.7035782e

Blue Reef Divers- 24.7054532n 46.6897085e

Hayat Mall- 24.745701n 46.6804576e

Red Sea Divers- 24.7303222n 46.6669768e

MCV- 24.6719489n 46.6824961e

Fatburger- 24.6896478n 46.6733578e

Marriott- 24.6865332n 46.7122874e

Riyadh Zoo-24.6753366 46.7360383

Eskan- 24.5855806n 46.8687916e

Ikea- 24.6606391n 46.7876387e

Granada Mall- 24.7812019n 46.7296118e

Thai Villa- 24.7020978n 46.6480994e

Tamimi US-24.6973485n 46.7023095e

Sushi Yoshi-24.7048733n 46.7061988e

El Chico-24.704074n 46.7026556e

Dairy Queen- 24.7004262n 46.6923237e

Outback-24.6993443n 46.6915727e

Desert Sea Divers 24.7282733n 46.689899e

Dating? In Riyadh? Ha!

There are so many things that may seem a cultural shock to "expatriates" when they find themselves here in this wonderful country...But today, since it is the year of the rabbit, I will go into chasing tail...(don't know how that relates. Don't really care. I have a migraine. Leave me alone.)

With Riyadh being the capitol of Saudi Arabia, it is safe to say that the rules are the strictest here. The REST of the Arabian countries do not "uphold" the shiria law as strict as they do here. This isn't about how sad their culture is, or how pathetic it must be for the kids growing up. That doesn't matter here. I'm merely trying to show how the cunning ways the single, horny, male population here use technology to their full advantage, in feeble attempts to charm and entice women...or men. Dating is NOT allowed in this country...(covered this in my first post. Feel free to do your homework before continuing with this post.) Since unrelated men and women are NOT allowed to be in public together, in fears of being arrested by the Religious police, all "socializing" must be done behind high walls and closed doors. But that's not even where it begins. You must try to secretly talk and meet as many girls as you can before your parents set you up in an arranged marriage... How are you supposed to MEET a girl you want to date, when you're not even allowed to talk to them...Well...my fellow infidels...let me be the light in your tunnel, on your quest for truth and culture...

1. Random dialing of numbers...

This part is all "hear-say." I can't truthfully say that I have had this happen to me...but I have heard it from almost every girl here. Almost ALL cell phone numbers here start with 055 or 056. From what I have heard, they randomly dial digits after the prefix, in hopes of getting a woman on the line. If they get a western woman, that's double the action for them. Once they hear that it's a western woman that's attached to the number they have called, a restless barrage of phone calls through all hours of the day and night begin...until they get tired. I guess there's nothing the girls can do about it here...which is why no one really answers unknown numbers. I just wish they would call me.... *sigh*

2. Blackberry Pin Exchange:
There's nothing new here. Pubescent boys have been using blackberry messenger for years trying to pick up unsuspecting girls...just another way to chat. The only difference here is the WAY it's done. For iPhone and Android lovers, or those of you that live in a cave, each Blackberry has a unique PIN assigned to each phone. You need to exchange the top secret PIN code in order to be able to add someone on your list...In the normal world, people would exchange PINs to be in contact with new friends. In Riyadh, the story's quite different. Blackberry PINs are printed out in vinyl stickers, and plastered on the back and sides of cars. Young boys openly display their PIN on their vehicles in hopes of some ninja looking in, and liking what they see. Can you imagine putting your cell phone number on the trunk of your car, in hopes of some girl to call you? Maybe some of you should give it a try. It just may work...at least it'll be better than having no one to talk to...alone, on a Friday night, with a tub of Bon Bons, and "Sleepless in Seattle." Homo.

3. Bluetooth:
We all know what bluetooth is. But how it is used here is completely different. Its rare I see posers here, walking around with a BT headset in their ear, and not talking to anybody. Hands free doesn't really exist here, and texting/calling while driving is a way of life. (I'm guilty of it myself...) Instead of using BT technology to save yourself from accidents, it is used to identify yourself in a crowded mall. For Example, if I was a Western White Male, in search of a Saudi woman, I would visit local malls, and turn on my bluetooth. But instead of my device ID stating what kind of phone I have, it would say, "White Male Blue Jeans Red Shirt." (This would never work for me. I'm Asian. So automatically, I'm of the lower class. More on this in another post.) Ithe Ninja's like what they see, I would then get bluetooth request authorizations... I do have a friend here, (yes. Just one.) that has a motorcycle. He puts "biker" and his phone number on his bluetooth ID. From what I hear, it works.

4. Internet, Facebook , and iPhone Apps...
This one's self explanatory. The internet has been used to help young boys and old men fulfill their erotic fantasies since Al Gore invented it. And here, it is exploited, to the max. If you are a woman on Facebook, and you have your Current City listed as "Riyadh" or ANYWHERE in Saudi Arabia, expect to get private messages and friend requests from local guys, at least 3-4 times a week. And internet dating is the way to secretly meet people, and set up spots, kinda like some top secret CIA drop. I guess you kinda have to be that secretive about it, with risks of being arrested!

I haven't even TOUCHED the subject of westerners dating here. And frankly I don't think I'm going to. Maybe some other day. So if you're in a Free Country, reading this, and are thinking about talking to a girl you think is hot, muster up the courage, and just do it. Do it for all the people here that aren't allowed to even talk to people who aren't related to them. So don't be a sissy. What's the worst that can happen?? She'll say no? Or you can try plastering your BBM PIN all over your car. Let me know how that works out for you.

In other news, this region of the world is falling apart. Go Bag packed, egress plan practiced. Hopefully it all settles down peacefully...as if there isn't enough death and carnage over here already. And I have really bad gas.

Still smiling like a pedophile kindergarten teacher... Cherrio!

Lebanon...

There's nothing better than taking a risk, and loving it after...When i look back, and really break things down, I've noticed that all significant events in my life have been one big risk... I guess it all started with the Marine Corps, which I guess set me up for the rest...Master Gunner school, Raytheon, and ultimately, Saudi Arabia...Up to junior year in High School, I wanted to be a businessman, a doctor, a lawyer...well, I didn't want to. But my parents sure did. Somehow, my mother knew that she couldn't contain me in her "Great Chinese Immigrant" dream that they held dearly for me. Luckily for me, she saw something in me and decided to let me "Stretch my wings..." and do what I wanted to, even if it meant that I would fail miserably, because we both knew she would be there to pick me back up, and point me in the right directions...And I like the direction I'm going...

The latest one isn't really a risk...It was a unplanned trip to Beirut, Lebanon...and only after I booked the tickets, I found out that there was civil unrest and turmoil in the country...Cancel? Rebook? Go somewhere else? Nah! I mean really. I'm a trained killer. I eat 7.62mm for breakfast...not really. (I was really a cook in the military for guys that didn't know...) Yet, I was convinced that it really isn't so bad...by a Canadian at that...

So we went. And I haven't felt this good about life in very long time. Don't take this the wrong way, I LOVE life. Every part of it. But after a week in a foreign country and snowboarding...I feel like I've grounded myself, and am at one with myself again. I guess vacations are good for the soul...need to take my own advice more... So this blog will be about Lebanon...because my memory is HORRIBLE, and if I don't write it down, I'll forget it...

I was going to crowd this post with pictures, but then decided against it. If you wanna see pictures with captions, it'll be on my facebook... But I will put one picture in...

This was taken at the top of the mountain. We stayed at the Faraya Mzaar mountains in nice hotel called the "Chateau D'Eau" hotel, about 10 minutes from the slopes. The snow was pretty damn good in a lot of places with plenty of ice patches that found me. Everybody there spoke French, and enough English...but enough about that...

The hotel we stayed at had a pretty crappy generator. Our first night there, we were starving, and ended up waiting 3 hours for dinner, because there was no electricity. So we chatted and sat around...under candle light, and cold...

Up the mountain the next day. It was majestic. I forgot how happy I get when I'm riding the lift up, and just absorbing the sights. I would have never imagined being in Lebanon, snowboarding. I'm just so thankful for being able to experience this, being in another country, doing things that I never imagine i would be doing. And I think back, to all the people that I have met in my life, and how they have effected me in one way or another, and realized that life is really about the company you keep...and how much more fun it is when there's someone to share it with. I've been blessed with amazing people in my life, and I can't even begin to thank all the ones that have always been there for me. So Thanks. You know who you are...

I think that's all I'm going to write today. Need to focus on more important stuff. But in a nutshell, I had one of the most amazing weeks in my life, surrounded by amazing people, and saw amazing things. Did I mention it was amazing? Can't wait till the next adventure!

Still happy...but kinda tired...

Out.

Where do I even begin?

That's the thing with these online blogs. Where do I even begin? What do I even write about? What are people going to say about what I write? Honestly, I could care less. If what I say offends you, just click the little red "X" on the top right side of this screen, and there! Problem solved!

I guess the most common question I get from friends back home is, "What's it like there?" I could go into that a bit, since this is a blog for my remaining time here in Saudi...There's about a million and five things I could write about that will leave you in a trance of shock and awe...but I'll start somewhere...

"Men and women that are unrelated are not allowed to be in public together..."

With Riyadh being the Capitol of Saudi Arabia, the atmosphere is not as loose here. There's people here that are called the "Mutawwa" who are kinda like Religious Police. They either work for the "Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice" (which means they don't anything fun happen,) or any orthodox Muslim, that practice Sharia law. They have the power to arrest unrelated males and females caught socializing, anyone engaged in homosexual behavior (yet they can hold hands and wear dresses...jk,) or prostitution; to enforce Islamic dress-codes, and store closures during the prayer time. I can't say that I have seen any Mutawwa running around since I've been here. The official ones that can yield such powers usually have a police escort with them, but I have heard stories. The most I've seen is Orthodox Muslims telling the women here to cover their blond infidel hair...and that's about the extent of it. You're welcome to read the extent of what some will do here...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_Mecca_girls%27_school_fire

Can you imagine going to school, or going to work, and meeting someone nice, and just wanting to get to know them? Want to make new friends in public? Nope. Want to get a cup of coffee? Nope. Want to have dinner? Nope. Want to watch a movie and go on a date? (There's no movie theaters here.) Nope. Those things do not exist here. Dating? What's that? Any one of those simple things can land you a flogging, or get you arrested. And if you're an ExPat? Being caught in mixed company CAN get you sent to jail, then on the next flight home, and out of this country, leaving you with nothing, and probably looking for a new job. Has this happened since I got here? Not that I have heard. But could it happen? Very Easily. All it takes being at the wrong place at the wrong time...

I am reminded of a time I was grocery shopping at a "Carrfour" supermarket. I was gazing longingly at different cuts of meat, deciding whether i want to try the "Brazilian raised cattle, or New Zealand cow," when a 'Western' women came closer to me, and whispered, "Which one do you think tastes better?" After looking around, and making sure that I was not within earshot of any prying ears, I responded, "I have no idea. I just hope they taste good." Some back and forth bantering of how the meat here tastes like poo, the conversation ended with her grabbing a New Zealand steak, and saying, "Good bye! I hope I don't get hung for chatting with you!" True story. I can't make this up...(The Braz and NZ steak were both horrible.)

In reality though, as long as you're not in public, making a complete tool of yourself, it's pretty much ok. I often frequent restaurants and shopping malls in mixed company, and am somewhat able to live a normal life. But this place does somewhat get to you though. I have found myself, multiple times at the Riyadh Airport, on my way back from places, and see western women dressed very modestly, in jeans, and a button up shirt or something normal, showing absolutely no skanky skin, and yet I find myself muttering "Slut, or Whore" under my breath, all because they weren't wearing an abaya. (What is an abaya? I'll save that for later.) I have no idea why I do such horrible things. Maybe because I realize that I am a minority in their country, and should respect their laws and customs...and do not like to draw attention to myself... But then again, I'm just a driver here. (Another one for another day...)

This country isn't really that bad. They're just a few years behind....I'd say about 50. There is one thing I can't stand is when ExPats come in here, and start ranting on how horrible this country is, and how backwards it is. It may be backwards to what we see as correct, but their culture wants it that way. They might not want the change...but it's inevitable. It was only 50 some years ago that President Kennedy signed the equal pay act into law, prohibiting businesses from discriminating their pay based on whether you have a penis or not. Women can't drive here, and some some may say that's a good thing...I have no comment on that...because one thing I will state my opinion on is that Saudis can't drive...but I'm getting off topic. Albeit different from what I'm use to, I still have to realized that I'm in their country, and need to respect their customs and values. I just wish I could eat some bacon.

Do not use this as a political discussion about human rights or values. I am simply stating facts and showing the rest of my pee pole in the US of A what it's kinda like here...Yea. I'm done.

Here's a picture of what products look like in stores. They block out 6 packs and cleavage on pictures of women. (Pity right? that's why I even buy the stuff in the first place!)

I have hit a creative roadblock. Neurons are firing away in my head, and beautiful words are being formed, but somehow it gets lost between my brain and fingertips. I'll stop butchering this for now.

I'm still happy to be here...

I guess there's no better time...

I have been telling myself that I will write..and hopefully be smarter or something. I shall prove to all the nay-sayers that I CAN do this...someday. Unfortunately it's been almost a year since I started this...and here I am again. We'll see...we'll see...

I remember the old days of Xanga...when it was actually fun to blog. I retract that last statement. What I thought was FUN in 2003-2007 was actually pretty lame. I just looked it up...Most of it was just traces of internet stupidness on one page...until I did some searching, and found some letters that I have written home from 2003, the invasion of Iraq...

April 1st, 2003 "I don’t really remember when these events took place or exactly what day, I just know they happened. Days here are once again a blur. I have no idea how long I’ve been in combat in Iraq. Nor do I really care. All I know is that for each day that passes, it’s one day closer for me to be going home. Today, my tank is sitting atop of someone’s farm. We are once again the most forward element in Iraq. Our company was attached to regimental combat team 1 or 5, supposedly where SSgt Park is. But I can’t exactly go look for him in the mist of all these firefights. Days are long and hot. Insects flying around everywhere. Tremendously annoying. The dark night sky is constantly lit up by artillery fire, and small machine gun tracers fly through the night sky. Hopefully I can look back @ this when I get home and say it was a good experience. But until then, hope you all are taking care of yourselves. Someone please forward my letters to David Lee in Kentucky, and Phillip Jun in boot camp and my address also. Keep writing! Hopefully someday I’ll actually get the letters! I love you guys. Take care!

^{Semper Fidelis.}

^{Cpl Cheng out.}"

Well, I guess I can look back now? It's been a good 8 years since that horrible night. I have completely forgotten about some of the experiences there. And I guess that's the worst part about it. I wrote that letter the day we found out that we actually lost a whole tank into the Euphrates river. No sleep, night movements, the race to Bagdad, and a tank missed the bridge and fell upside down... All 4 of my brethren lives perished...and here I am, sitting in Saudi Arabia, 8 years later, reading my letters from '03, and reliving the constant fighting, attacks, and hail of bullets like it was yesterday...


I can look back now, and say it's experiences like this that has made me who I am. I shall never forget my brothers in arms that weren't lucky enough to make it back with me. We did our job, as Marines, and did it well. And it has been my honor to serve with such an amazing company of warriors, each willing to take a bullet for the next guy. The brotherhood and self sacrifice I experienced in times of combat can never be explained, and words will do it no justice. I will bring this moment of reflection to an end, and be thankful for where I am, and what I'm doing. To the ones that never made it back, your sacrifice will never be forgotten, and I'm grateful to have been able to serve with you.

Time to search for Rainbows and Unicorns...
C, Out!

Where to start...

So after a few months of contemplating, I decided that I will indeed start another "blog" for myself. Not really for you all to read, but more so I can keep a record of my life experiences, and hopefully, when I become too old and decrepit, my offspring can read about it and I won't have to verbalize anything. I guess I also want to let the authors of my biography have somewhere they can go to for first hand accounts of what happened, without guessing and trying to fill in the blanks...yea, I love being awesome like that. Guess I'll start this tomorrow, Inshalla...

Jai Jien!