SAUDI ARABIA LIVING DREAM

Life Behind.

As if it was like a second ago. Those pains, loss, the tears spent through sleepless nights in combat with life inadequacies. I am capable of emotional evolution either force nor natural way. Where life places my foot now is such a privileged. An opportunity I met along the way in search of fulfilling my life’s need. After so much thought of less productive life in Manila, I left for Saudi to work as a secretary.

In just three days, I have been here in Saudi for five months exactly in February 19, 2011. I had this short written thought about pinoy’s negative lifestyle around here. I guess I was just disappointed because even if not too much I still have my expectations.

SAUDI RIYAL

First off, what makes me feel motivated working in Saudi is because of its beautiful people. Maybe it’s my first time, but I like Saudis now than American people whom I used to fantasize, maybe because I am not lucky to reach America to experience its people, but since my teenage life I have that kind of American dream. Now, I only have a Saudi living dream. I won’t withhold the fact that the main reason why I am here in Saudi is due to economic demand of life in Philippines, how could I refuse to accept the offer that almost triple my salary with less accountability? But of course it has a price, you just have to deal with it naturally. The fact that Saudi has beautiful people and its economic status is outstanding there would be no reason that I shall look into the other side of hill for a greener pasture. I am not saying I am staying for life but who knows? Nobody can tell what will certainly happen on the next day.

Saudi is not a tourist destination. It’s a real-life work destination. It’s not even a love destination street but rather a quickie style of expressing one’s bodily earth discharge. Correct me if I am wrong cause maybe it’s just too early to say that. Weird, may be it’s me.

Riyal is the key.

In everything it’s money but it is not taken into the surface. Saudi is not like what I have heard of, there might be unethical, uneducated, unhygienic just like people of other countries in the world. It’s not because they are Arab and Muslim they are terrorist like saying it’s not because I am a filipino I am like this or like that. But I say, I can never change my smiling face, my artistic nature, my combine masculine figure-feminine strong touch. Accept me as I am or send me home with your own expenses. I would never dream working as an accounting assistant for the rest of my life, yet somehow it’s not bad to work as a secretary until age would force me to retire and enjoy my hard earn riyals.

Living in Riyadh has many restrictions. You’ve heard it in the news, those feminine male who runs a fashion shows, a mass held by minority group, the pinoy waiter who serve in an underground party in Jeddah, even stories that are not publish most probably you know more than I have. Yet, it's not enough reason to make me think that Saudi is not the best place to live in. Law is good, it makes me feel safe and protected, as long as I don’t cross the line I will not get hit and run over by tragedies.

I met a lot of nationality, from very famous Pakistani taxi drivers, Yemenis, Indians, Bangladesh, Nepalese, Turkish, Sudanese, Englishman, Irishman, American and of course locals – the Saudis.

In my five months, I have used to live life in cold seasons. Summer is yet to come and I hope I will be okay. I met new filipino people, I get acquainted with them but as for me I used to live my life dependent on God and myself. I never look for attention and other people’s opinion about my self. I learn to dress myself as I am, being confident of myself and most of all the self- transparency, commitment, trust. It must start from within and this make me feel ME.

In short description, Saudi women are most preserve of all women in the world, Saudi men are the most polite-aggressive ever alive, it’s like don’t give them a chance or else you’ll regret. Saudis are very conservative, God-fearing and overly protective to its people. I like it. I can’t imagine waking up daily in Philippines hearing deadly news either by natural disaster or by force. It’s what I hate the most. But at least in Saudi it is not published. And in Saudi, the game of popularity doesn’t go out in media, it’s just a word of mouth. That’s I think the reason why Saudis can be trusted in business.

Riyadh is just another city, with a seen and unseen stories of life and death, happiness and love, fetishes and luxury, of all these still I choose to live continually in Saudi. Even if not, I have no choice, I have to finish my two year contract, but honestly I have no reason to go back home in Philippines except maybe to do business and see my mom and rest of the folks. You’re right, I am single, no love life, no family of my own, just committed to send my schooling brother and my mom a monthly support.

The WORK. English is the main language for communication. It’s really a blessing to work with Saudis. No stress, no pressure, all you have to be is to work smartly, on time, be polite, most of all just be you, just be a fipino. As a secretary, I have been struggling to adjust with my environment. Wherein previously I used to work in a hostile, noisy, demanding, and restless environment. I thank God for the new dimension of environment where I move my being.

SAUDI DREAM

I know it is very impossible to have my dream bringing into a real life scenario, unless it is underground. This is due to the law of the land. But I guess having someone to be with in life is less important that living the life you are meant to be. Two out of my three lifetime dream are non-realistic in this country, one left that is doing business which seems to catch my attention lately.

Think on, live on, hours and day passes by. I would be the loneliest person in the earth if I choose not to be thankful for the cold weather, for sunlight, for the air I breathe, and for the reddish skin I got in living Saudi Arabia.

This is my dream, to the God-given life beautifully.

by: bodengdeng

photo credit: Bhakti by the inhabitant has left the building.