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!