What a week! Our goal was to have all of the PhD applications looked at by mid-January. When that didn't work we set today, January 31st as the target. We did it but not without many hours in front of the computer. Of course most of them are incomplete so eventually we will need to go back to them.
The Ministry of Higher Education here organized a first ever Education Exposition in Riyadh last week. It was four days and over 350 universities from around the world participated. Our staff split the time so that we could all go at some point but also so we had time in the office. I got the weekend shift with Paul. We worked all day Wednesday and headed to the airport at 5. This was my first time flying with Saudia Airlines- the national airline. Although we checked in for our flight together, for some reason, Paul got bumped to business class and I did not. Wedidn't even realize this until we were up the stairs on the plane. My suitcase weighed a TON because I had more brochures I was transporting. It took two of us to get it up into the overhead. I was okay with my aisle seat and an empty seat next to me-- not too bitter about Paul sitting up in row 16 while I was in row 47. Until, just before take off, th eflight attendant asks me if I am by myself. Obviously yes. Oh, then you need to move up to the row in front of you and sit between the two Saudi women. Apparently I could not sit in the row with men in it even though I was not directly sitting next to a man- because I was traveling alone. So I got to sit between two women who constatntly elbowed me. I did arrive safely but the moral of the story is if you are traveling on Saudi Airlines don't assume your assigned seat is the one you will actually sit in to travel.
Once in Riyadh the time moved quickly. The event was from 10 am to 9 pm on Thursday and from 3 pm to 9 pm on Friday. There were thousands of attendees. What is so ground breaking is that men and women were allowed into the expo at the same time- it was co-educational. Because we are a new university, other Saudi universities kept presenting us with plagues- hence the picture with the boys. It was wonderful to see friends and colleagues from other universities- Boston University included. Friday morning Paul and I had brunch with our friend and BU colleague Bill at the Four Seasons. I also got to do some shopping. I am not sure if I have written about how late the malls are open here-- usually until 11 and then even later on the weekends. It is sale season so all stores were having big 70% off sales. I was most excited about a pair of jeans I got for $30 marked down from $100! The odd thing about stores here is that there are no fitting rooms. So people buy clothes without trying them on. This is just crazy to me. And it is complicated by the return policies which are typically 3-5 days. I was feeling positive though and my jeans fit perfectly.
Riyadh as a city was much more modern than Jeddah. It is the capital and has a larger expat community so I guess that makes sense. The buildings and architecture was more modern and the streets in much better condition. Even the driving seemed more civilized. I will have to be sure to return for some sightseeing just on a different airline.
My return flight was not so eventful other than it was a late night back on Friday and Saturday morning came way to early. Bring on the Master's Degree applications tomorrow!
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