I was seconded there in 98/99 to do line training for Saudia on the MD-90. Did three stints of about 2.5 months each. The first time we stayed at the Intercontinental downtown. Not bad, but a long time to be in a hotel room so the 5 of us there persuaded our company to lease two villas up in Durat Al Arus for the remainder of the year. The deal came with two cars and free golf on the 9 hole grass golf course.

It was pleasant because I knew it was for a limited period of time. Usually worked four days per week and played golf the other three. Scuba diving in the Red Sea off Jeddah is excellent and there are private beaches where families and can go and not be disturbed.

Jeddah is not a bad place. Obviously there are many restrictions on what women can do there so if you are taking the family it needs to be a family decision.

The Saudia compound is getting long in the tooth. I only went to a few dinner parties there. They do make their own alcohol and it can be decent. The U.S. Embassy parties are generally good, but not sure if they still do them with today's higher security status.

Two weeks ago 4 French expats were killed in the north while visiting an archeological site. With the numerous events over the last few years it certainly has more of a dangerous element than when I was there, but there are still many expats living and working in the country.


Typhoonpilot