Bahrain by Dhow: Vignette from 'Tales from the Desert: An Arabian Memoir'

Bahrain by Dhow: Vignette from 'Tales from the Desert: An Arabian Memoir'

BY Stuart Crocker / /

The company had a very active employees association called the Aramco Employees Association (AEA) which organised many activities and trips. Self-directed groups under the auspices of this organisation were given funding by the company and allowed the use of various company facilities. These groups were many and varied with activities ranging from traditional sports, to handicrafts, art and drama, even including the unlikely ‘Arabian Hoedowners'.

Aramco ExPats Celebrates 20 Years

Aramco ExPats Celebrates 20 Years

BY Vicci Turner / /

In 2002, facing imminent repatriation back to the U.S. and wondering how, after so many years, I could stay connected to everything and everyone I had grown to love during my time in Arabia with Saudi Aramco, I formed the notion of creating a website...

Pre-Cruise Hafla Reunion - Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay Welcomes Us

Pre-Cruise Hafla Reunion - Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay Welcomes Us

BY Aramco ExPats / /

The reunion committee has secured rooms at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay for either one or two nights before boarding the Celebrity Summit on Monday, October 31. If you want to come early, please make a reservation using Marriott's online link for the Hafla Reunion 2022.

Art of Arabia

Art of Arabia

BY Brid Beeler / /

For some years now, the contemporary arts scene in Saudi Arabia has been mushrooming. While Jeddah remains the Kingdom’s art capital, Al Ula has captured much of the spotlight following the recent Desert X installations by 15 Saudi and international artists. Al Ula is truly an amazing space for art, and the artists involved cannot help but take inspiration from the stark beauty of the surrounding plains and sandstone cliffs.

The Snack Bar: An Aramco Delicacy

The Snack Bar: An Aramco Delicacy

BY Anushka Bose / /

While growing up in Saudi, I distinctly remember one feature of the compounds that I have never encountered anywhere else: snack bars. No matter which compounds you were on: Dhahran, Abqaiq, Ras Tanura, or Udhailiyah, the snack bar was the stop in town to catch a tasty meal after swimming or an afterschool sport.

Welcome Aboard, My Dear Friends!

Welcome Aboard, My Dear Friends!

BY Aramco ExPats / /

These are the wishes my wife Amira and I hope to share with each of you in October when so many of our Aramco annuitant friends will board together for the upcoming Hafla Cruise.

Heart And Soul – Vignettes from Ali Al-Baluchi’s Memoir: Part V – Community Services

Heart And Soul – Vignettes from Ali Al-Baluchi’s Memoir: Part V – Community Services

BY Aramco ExPats / /

By the late 1970s, Ali Al-Baluchi had risen through Aramco’s Community Services to become Manager of the Food Distribution Department, where he was proud to employ one of the company’s first Saudi female employees. The following extract from Heart and Soul details how this opened a door to further training in the United States.

Flames, Smoke Engulf Saudi Shopping Mall

Flames, Smoke Engulf Saudi Shopping Mall

BY Arab News / /

A Saudi shopping mall was on fire Friday engulfed in smoke after a blaze broke out in the early hours of the morning. Plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from the Mall of Dhahran in Alkhobar — the largest commercial market in the Eastern Province — as emergency crews battled to contain the fire.

Heart And Soul – Vignettes from Ali Al-Baluchi’s Memoir: Part IV – Opportunity

Heart And Soul – Vignettes from Ali Al-Baluchi’s Memoir: Part IV – Opportunity

BY Aramco ExPats / /

As Ali Al-Baluchi worked hard to establish his credentials within the Aramco workforce, opportunities to study overseas began to arrive. With his cordial personality and winning Saudi charm, Ali quickly formed friendships wherever he went, and even found himself representing the Kingdom in international student forums.

Heart And Soul – Vignettes from Ali Al-Baluchi’s Memoir: Part III - At Work

Heart And Soul – Vignettes from Ali Al-Baluchi’s Memoir: Part III - At Work

BY Aramco ExPats / /

Ali Al-Baluchi was born in the Arabian Peninsula soon after the unification of the Saudi kingdom. Against the backdrop of a conservative society confronting a rapidly increasing pace of modernization, he has witnessed and participated in decades of great social and economic change.

Ramadan, Islam’s Moveable Feast

Ramadan, Islam’s Moveable Feast

BY Brid Beeler / /

The Holy month of Ramadan is the 9th month in the Hijri calendar.  Since the Islamic year is 11 days shorter than the western Gregorian calendar, Ramadan moves ‘forward’ by that amount each year in comparison to our western months, making Ramadan, quite literally, a moveable feast!

Aramco Retiree Golf Group Teed It Up in Phoenix, Arizona

Aramco Retiree Golf Group Teed It Up in Phoenix, Arizona

BY Aramco ExPats / /

The Aramco Retiree Golf Group held their sixth overall and first 2022 event in Phoenix, Arizona at Sheraton Grand Wild Horse Pass Resort March 28 – April 1, 2022. It was a fun filled 5-days of activities including 3 rounds of golf at Whirlwind Troon Devils Claw and Cattail golf courses. The evenings included an “Ice Breaker” Monday night at the Sheraton Grand Lobby Bar area onsite...

Aramco Brats Get Together in Port Salerno, Florida

Aramco Brats Get Together in Port Salerno, Florida

BY Fred Bobb / /

Aramco Brat, Doug Grant, hosted a cocktail and dinner gala at the waterfront restaurant, Shrimpers Bar and Grill, in Port Salerno, Florida on April 20th. Nine Brats and one honorary Brat were in attendance.

Reflection: The Impact of Transience

Reflection: The Impact of Transience

BY Anushka Bose / /

The word transience often brings up ambivalent feelings for me. On one hand, while it is a word that has defined much of my life, and while it’s enthralling to get sucked into the excitement of change, the word transience is at its best bittersweet. When life feels transient, it’s impossible to create stability and predictability.

Beyond the Borders

Beyond the Borders

BY Nimah Ismail Nawwab / /

A poem by Nimah Ismail Nawwab. Losing oneself...Can this ever happen...‘How can we lose ourselves?’ one asks.

Happy 10th Birthday Hooriya Naushad Shah

Happy 10th Birthday Hooriya Naushad Shah

BY Aramco ExPats / /

Hooriya Naushad Shah, daughter of Engr. Syed Naushad Shah, celebrated her 10th birthday on April 5th. Hooriya is the granddaughter of Syed Yousaf Shah, Aramco Badge ID 71533.

Mohammed Ifteqaruddin Reflects on Receiving Valuable Contribution Award

Mohammed Ifteqaruddin Reflects on Receiving Valuable Contribution Award

BY Mohammed Ifteqaruddin / /

This article is inspired by a quote from Brian Tracy, "The greatest joys of life are happy memories. Your job is to create as many of them as possible.” and on an announcement by the Dhahran Inspection Department to submit abstracts for the “Inspection Department Technical Exchange Meeting and Exhibition 2005.”