Mr. Senrick--Teacher/World Traveler

Mr. Senrick--Teacher/World Traveler
Educators to Saudi Arabia 2007

Sunday, April 1, 2007

Q and A

(1) What's the food like? (Jeff K./Erika) The foot is amazing. We've literally had feasts at every meal. Some of the common meats include lamb, chicken, beef, and seafood. Sorry to tell you Erika (a vegetarian), but as a carnivore by nature, I have really enjoyed the meat here a lot! Last night we had roasted lamb and it was incredible. At every meal we've had sambusa, which is similar to a wonton. It's a fried triangle filled with goat cheese or meats. They are incredible! Hummus is served at every meal. I have never been a huge fan of hummus, though I eat it from time to time in the states. Here, on the other hand, it's so delicious! (Probably because it's made fresh with fresh ingredients here.) Tabuli salad is served at every meal too. It tastes like parsley to me...sometimes I like it, sometimes not :-)

(2) Is the exchange rate good for Americans? How much does a thobe/ghutra/igal cost? (Charlie) The Saudis use the Riyal for currency. It has a fixed rate; 1 US= 3.75 Riyal. While things are less expensive than in Europe (by far!), they are more expensive than in the Latin American countries I've travelled in. To give you an idea, yesterday I purchased the thobe, ghutra, igal, two prayer rugs, and prayer beads for 140 Riyal, or less than 5o $. Those were purchased in a store, which tend to be spendier than in the souq (markets) which we have not yet visited!

(3) Are the classrooms different? (Jeff K) So far, we've only been able to visit on Aramco sponsored private college prep program school. It is by far an exception to the rule, as far as schools are concerned. It looked much like an American school. (It was very new and nice...) Hopefully we will be able to visit a government school.

(4) Are there any sabbath practices? (Chalie) Yesterday we left the hotel to go to a large Saudi book store. (Similar to a Borders, only nearly everything is in Arabic.) We had to wait in the parking lot for 15 minutes, because we arrived at prayer times. Muslims pray 5 times daily, and everything shuts down so that men may go to mosque. It sounds like on the holy day of the week, many people go to the mosque to pray together.

(5) Which aspects of globalization have helped/hurt the Saudi people? (Jess) Great question (and tough to answer in the five minutes I have before leaving for the camel market!) Let me think about it today and write about it tonight!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi, Sol.
I haven't had the chance to read through all that you've posted so far, but wanted to send a note of 'hello' and that it sounds like the trip is going really well.
I'd love it if you would give us a little presentation when you get back. I'd love to see the things you've purchased and more of your pictures. I can't wait to read the rest of this.
Travel safely.

Anonymous said...

I was wondering.. how do the Saudi people treat you since your from the United States? Have they shared any comments and opinions about the U.S.?

Im excited to hear all about your trip when you come back.. u should do another slide show of ur pictures like you did before.

-Nikki Osvold

Anonymous said...

I agree with nikki...it would be cool to see another slide show. have you bought any souveniers yet? and if you have...what are they?

Also, does saudi arabia have it's own money/currency? if so, what is it called?

Talk to yas later!

~*Nicole S.*~

Anonymous said...

Hey senrick how is your trip going?
During your trip have you encountered something unexpected? I am excited to hear about your experiences when you return.
Oh and another question i have for you, what is the most exciting thing you have seen so far?

have a safe trip home

-kate mccoy