While the world did slow down in 2021, the interesting tales and photos from Aramco ExPats didn't. View this collection of community favorites from 2021.
Our Favorite Photos
Here's a look at our favorite photos. Visit our photo galleries to see all the photos. Share your photos with the Aramco ExPats community by submitting them to info@aramcoexpats.com.
In the Gold Souk - Al-Khobar
2017 Teachers Reunion
Aramco Brats Irene Pappas (Dh. '75) and Fred Bobb (Dh. '72).
Our Favorite Articles
‘Houseboys’ and Servitude: Vignette from '3,001 Arabian Days'
By Rick Snedeker
"For many Aramcons, servants personified “the good life” in Dhahran. These ever-present helpers performed all the onerous domestic chores everyone abhors, and prepared food and served guests at Aramco communities’ endless, labor-intensive parties."
How My Time in Aramco Led Me to Build a Travel Start-up
By Furqan Khan
"“Travelling is a great experience, but how can it be better?” That’s the question I asked myself when I was reflecting on my past travels. Before I get into my start-up’s story, let's go back to Saudi Arabia for a minute. I was born in Dhahran and lived there for 13 years before moving to Ras Tanura."
Aramco Retiree Golf Group Teed It Up in Grapevine, Texas
"The Aramco Retiree Golf Group held their first 2021 event in Grapevine, Texas April 12-16, 2021. The event was hosted and organized by local resident Tim McGhee and by the golf group's organizer Mike Haas. A full week of fun-filled activities included 3 rounds of golf at Grapevine Golf Club Mockingbird and Pecan nines, Grapevine Golf Club Mockingbird and Bluebonnet nines and Sky Creek Ranch Golf Club."
"Two weeks ago my wife and I went into Khobar and stopped by a little coin shop. The owner had two Aramco medallions for sale. One says Safety Award and the date 1959. The other is an Award of Merit without a date."
Our Favorite Articles from Featured Authors
In a class of their own, we continue to bring you monthly installments from 3 authors whose unique voices recount tales of desert adventures, familiar cultural experiences and heartwarming recollections to keep you close to your Arabian roots. Here are our favorites...
By Brid Beeler
"In the mid-1990s, Cordoba compound was opened in Riyadh. At that time, it was at least a 30-minute drive to get to the city center, with roads devoid of traffic, yet far out from the center of activity. It seemed a world apart from the heart of a bustling Sulamaniya/Olaya district we had come to love..."
Arabian Winters: A Homage to the Arrivals and Departures in Dhahran
By Anushka Bose
"Home is shuffling through Heathrow to reach the gate counting how many movies I can watch based on the flight duration but underneath the exhaustion of the journey rested the excitement of nestling under the covers upon arrival."
Desert Designs - Celebrating 30 Years of Distinctive Saudi Design
By Mark Lowey
"In this piece, Mark Lowey chronicles the story of Desert Designs and its founders, Qamar Ahmed and Farid Bukhari, who own the unique, family-run interior design studio, home décor gift shop and art gallery, in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, that is dedicated to Saudi culture and Islamic design."
Our Big Announcements:
We've had a few big announcements in 2021 that we wouldn't want you to miss.
Hafla 2022 Fun-Filled Cruise - Join Us!
"Dear Aramcons and Brats Around the World, the last couple of years have been tough for all of us. Hafla 2020 had to be canceled after much hard work had been completed by John, Doreen, and their crew. I know we were all looking forward to visiting Colorado and seeing one another."
5th KSA Reunion - Save the Date
By Aramco ExPats
"Mark your calendars! The 5th KSA Reunion will be held March 1-14, 2023. The Office of the KSA Organizing Committee will be launched on March 1, 2022. Registration will commence on October 1, 2022. More information will be forthcoming prior to October 1st, 2022 to enable qualified participants to register..."
Saudi Aramco’s Ali Mohammed Al-Baluchi - 'Heart and Soul: A Memoir'
"Ali Al-Baluchi’s memoir offers a rare Saudi insight into the development of his home community as it paralleled the growth of the world’s largest energy company, and the forging of an international community of Aramcons."
Our New Vignettes:
More and more we are hearing from Aramcons and Brats who have put 'pen to paper' and authored their own tales of life in Arabia. We bring you excerpts from their books in a series of vignettes. In 2021, we featured a new author, Stuart Cocker, whose book, Tales from the Desert: An Arabian Memoir is sure to be enjoyed by Aramco ExPats.
Getting Down to Work: Vignette from 'Tales from the Desert: An Arabian Memoir'
"Dhahran North Office Complex was a collection of twenty large, temporary office buildings located about half a mile from the residential camp. They certainly weren’t as swish as the more glamorous steel and glass offices on the main camp complex, but at least I didn’t have far to commute."
Moving into Town: Vignette from 'Tales from the Desert: An Arabian Memoir'
"I lived on the construction camp for three months before space was eventually found for me on the main camp. I was advised I would initially be moving into temporary housing until a more permanent residence became available."
We Thank You
Our team would like to thank you for your continued support and for your article and photo contributions.
