I am just about to commence my fourth year away from Ireland
and am already into my third here in Saudi Arabia, where does the time go ? Its
been a time of great change for me both personally and professionally and I’m
often asked what I miss most...
My Sons
The recent trip to UAE with Daithi & Oisin was
amazing and we all enjoyed it hugely and it won’t be long before the next trip
back to Ireland for a trip to West Cork, but of course, it doesn’t replace the
school homework, eating together, going to the movies and regular “tickling
fights”, though we do our best to catch up on those when I’m home !
Talk Radio
I’m always struck at how little radio exists here in Riyadh,
everything from music to chat show, yes, there are some but very limited and
certainly don’t replace some of the shows I used to listen to back home, "The Last Word" with Matt Cooper was a
favourite of mine in the evenings , with great discussions on current affairs,
sports and the odd wacky interview with a “Healy-Rae” about pot holes or drink
driving or Kilgarvan hosting the World Cup as an alternative to Qatar…
The Pint
Saudi Arabia is a “dry” country so I really miss the Friday
evening Pint of Guinness, or a few
watching Munster in the Rugby or Clare in the hurling….
Tay
When I was a child, there was no coffee and even when there
was, it was in a jar and tasting “horrific”, however there was always “Tay”,
and copious amounts of it for every possible punctuation in the day, for every
chat, or break. You can get Tea here of course its just not the same as Barry's Tea or the like which we were all reared on back home.
The suitcase on the return journey to Riyadh is always packed up with at least 80/100 teabags
to see me through to the next juncture.
Friends
Though I have made many new friends here in the Kingdom, and
we do socialise as much as we can, It just doesn’t replace meeting friends you
have had for many years. I left Ireland later in life like others as a result
of the economic problems, it wasn’t ever my plan, so I've left behind
many good friends and I struggle to catch up in person on trips home and relying on Skype
and Facebook is just not the same as meeting in person and finding out how
things are with them.
I'm sure this list could go on and on, its just a few of the things that I miss, some small and some far more significant......
Lovely Noel. I really miss the radio and just the spontaneity of living in Ireland. Just going for a walk into the village without an Abaya and popping in to friends and family. Also the ham sandwiches :) and fry ups. Have a great summer and I am sure we will see you at the next embassy function.
ReplyDeletecaroline
Glad you liked reading the post, yes, you can't beat the odd fry-up though you can get a very feed in the Irish Village in Dubai or JJ's in Manama, Bahrain :)
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