Boston is all in!

I arrived in Boston a little over a week ago, and from the moment I landed it became obvious - this is a city on the move. Running is a not just an activity here, it is a lifestyle and a mode of transport and a full out obsession. I arrived just in time for Marathon Weekend too which meant the whole city was buzzing with marathon madness... naturally I had to join in!

Just kidding! I am by no means a marathoner! I did however run the 5k race the day before the marathon and finished with a personal best time of 30:06! Definitely not world class but I was thrilled nonetheless. They even gave me a t-shirt and a finishers' medal - I was like a kid at Christmas!

The marathon itself was a great day too. It was literally 26.2 miles of street partying - people came out in droves to cheer on those crazy enough to run in the blistering heat (30 degrees Celsius at midday!) Boston really was all in. The sense of community was wonderfully conspicuous - people were cheering like mad for strangers, holding up signs of encouragement and making all kinds of noise as each wave of runners came by. I watched as two little sisters (reminding me of little Jessie and Kelsey) stood by the side of the road tenaciously holding out orange slices for the runners. When one runner finally took a slice from the older sister she literally squealed with excitement! There were also people who live along the marathon route who set up their own sprinklers next to the road so the runners could run through some refreshing cold water. I also heard that runners running for charity raised over $150 000 000 for various charities this year! Just wonderful!

We joined in all the excitement down the street from our house at mile 23. Standing among all that reverie, strawberry daiquiri in hand, I couldn't help but think of all the things going on that Saudi Arabia would deem "haram"; the alcohol being drunk, the pork being cooked up on the barbecues, the women in shorts and tank-tops, the fraternizing between men and women; and I loved it all! I am so glad and so thankful to be back!

Ma'salama Habibiti

This is it! No more says until I leave! Goodbye to the sandbox! Goodbye to abaayas! Leaving in just a few hours!

Protected

My apartment building is surrounded by barbed wire, has a security guard at the door and soldiers with a gun mounted on a truck sitting outside on the street... I'm not entirely sure what they are meant to be protecting us from. I will be happy to live in a place again where I can just go about my business.

Just one day before I leave!

Street View

This is the street in front of my apartment... Good old Al Takhassosi street. The sign clearly show how to get to Mecca from my place (the little black square thing in the top left corner).

Just two more days!

Happy Easter

Any religion other than Islam is not just discouraged here in the kingdom, it is actually illegal! They don't seem to understand how religion and daily life can be quite separate for many people; how coloured eggs can be just that or a Christmas tree simply a tree. All the same, it does make colouring eggs seem like a much more dangerous and rebellious activity than it really is.

Fruity Beers

This one goes out to Erin, my former roommate and co-fruity beer lover! Erin is happily back in North America and in just 4 days time I will be too!

Al Faisalia

This is taken from the cave park; a sort of park located on hospital grounds that actually has a pretty nice view if you turn your back to the giant construction site and close your ears to the noise of the jackhammers. The tower in the picture is the Al Faisalia building and I have heard that it was built by the king's son to impress his father. The king's other sons, not to be outdone by their show off of a brother, quickly responded by building the Kingdom tower about a kilometer away. Both buildings house opulent shopping malls, offices and fancy restaurants at the top. On special occasions they also light the buildings up. On Saudi's national day last year the Faisalia was lit up all in twinkling green lights - clearly they were unaware that it looked like a giant Christmas tree! How haram!

Mocktails

Alcohol being completely forbidden in the kingdom doesn't stop most places from offering a delightful assortment of mocktails... You can always order a mojito or a piña colada but rest assured it will simply be juice with a sprig of mint or a piece of fruit in it. Another favorite is Saudi champagne, which is sparkling apple juice with a veritable fruit salad in it... It's actually pretty good!

ID

Goodbye apartment key, goodbye ID badge, goodbye Iqama (Saudi resident permit), goodbye Saudi nursing registration! This makes it all feel very official!

One week to go!

Playground

I can't say I really ever play at the playground in our apartment complex, mostly I just complain about having to live in a family building with scads of children riding their bikes around in the halls!

Just 8 days till I leave!

Pool Party

It really is quite the life here... I can't complain too much! We've got a pool and a gym and no bills or rent (mind you our apartment is a bit lame with its pink carpet and ancient furniture, still, don't look a free apartment in the mouth right?) The pool has given us many a relaxing afternoon under the desert sun... That is when it isn't full of sand from the latest sand storm!