Even though I am half way across the world in the middle of a theocratic monarchy, life for the most part seems normal. I get up, go to class, study, eat, play basketball, ultimate frisbee, and soccer ( i guess soccer’s a little different), talk with loved ones on skype. After a week or so thobes and abayas (traditional male and female clothing, respectively) don’t seem so eccentric. It is the little things though that remind us we are in a different country. Here are some of my favorites.
- A whole, raw chicken labeled as vegan. Maybe the chicken was itself a vegan.
- The continual oscillations between being really cold (being inside) or being really hot (being outside).
- Bathrooms consisting of a hole and a hose. Feels like one of those “how do you make use of these two item” riddles.
- Signs around student housing that read “Do not feed the rats”. This one’s actually legit, because its a sign saying not to liter, but I still thought the header was funny.
- Saudi change, or lack there of (the “close enough” mentality). In my 3 months here I have seen one Saudi coin. Most often stores will just round up or down for you.
Question: If something costs 4 riyal and 75 halala, and you give them a 5 riyal bill, what is your change? Hint: 100 halala = 1 riyal.
(a) 25 halala
(b) nothing
(c) a pack of gum
(d) a banana flavored wafer
Answer: Most likely (c) although i have gotten (b) and (d) as well, but never (a).
