Getting around in Riyadh

It looks like I will get my own car today. Despite the fact that one must be a bit insane to drive around this city, it is mandatory to get wheels. Taxis are cheap but it's always uncertain if the driver knows what you men and the safetey is just not existing. Unbalanced wheels, worn out suspentions, no mirrors brakes without real performance and drivers who are at war with the other drivers on the road. Bottom line is that you are better of being in control of your own fate. One more reason is that I am not good at car-pooling. I don't want to go down this rabbit hole now.
One more topic to write about then.

Moving In

We had a couple of busy weeks lately. That explains the lack of postings on this blog. As of yesterday we moved into our compound. The Al Ja Whara Village in Al-Dir’iya. It’s located in the north west of Riyadh on the slopes of the Wadi Hanefa. Yes it is a bit remote but it is absolutely quiet here. The pool is great and the villa is ok. It is certainly not high-end luxury homes however; it’s a home away from home. After we moved all our belongings from the Radisson hotel it took a while until I had all my things sorted out and stowed away. As a sort of welcome party I had Klaus over to bake Reibekuchen for the two of us. Freshly out of the pan we even did not fancy to sit down, we stayed in the kitchen and ate the potato pancakes right there. Now I have frequent visits from the maintenance department, every single worker gets a chance to repair my hot water boiler upstairs, 6 of them have been here already, all nice and friendly young boys form India. The first two just flipped switches, as if I had not the same idea before. The next two tried to exchange the indicator lamp; the new lamp did not do the trick. Obviously there is a direct relationship between the lamp not glowing and the heater not heating. This discovery certainly now called for an electrician. He disassembled parts of the heater, left the villa more puzzled than he came and mumbled something like …chief engineer will come…. Since then it is quiet. The guy with the correct key to my back door was supposed to show up in 10 minutes, it’s now one hour later. The taste of Arabia.
Other than that I rearranged the furniture in the living room. Still have to buy some things but it’s pretty much ok now. I attached some pictures to give an impression.
Stay safe, I will try to do the same. So long.