Scent has been entrenched into every aspect of Arabian society since the Queen of Sheba’s visit to King Soleiman, the development of the spice trade, and the control exercised by the Nabateans at Mada’in Saleh (Al Hegra) over the camel caravans traveling north to the Levant. Socially and spiritually, scent still plays a prominent role in every aspect of today’s society.
Ali-Al Baluchi's new memoir Heart and Soul is now available in Saudi Arabia, other GCC states, the UK and Europe, and North America. In his own words and through testimonials from friends and colleagues, Ali Al-Baluchi offers unique personal insights, from the challenges of navigating a foreign work culture to nurturing lifelong global friendships in Saudi Aramco.
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.
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of speaking with Karin Avila, an Aramco Brat who moved to Saudi Arabia from California during her teenage years. Her family resided in Ras Tanura, where her father was a general physician at the Saudi Aramco hospital. Karin’s story brought back my own nostalgic memories of the Kingdom...
“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.
Deciding on a boarding school education for your child is a huge emotional and financial decision. As parents we all want the best for our children including the best possible education to ensure that they achieve their academic potential, learn life skills that are going to prepare them for adulthood and above all are happy in themselves.
My love affair with the Bedouin silver jewelry of the Arabian Peninsula began with a weekend jaunt to the old souq in Riyadh in 1989. We parked in a dirt car park and trudged along a dusty track past stalls selling all manner of household goods and car parts before reaching an area where Bedouin women were selling jewellery.
Gary Bain, retired manager of Aramco aviation, is managing a GoFundMe page for his granddaughter Hali who is fighting cancer. Hali urgently needs help with medical bills, including treatments, surgeries, and hospital stays as well as living expenses.
Hooriya Naushad Shah, daughter of Engr. Syed Naushad Shah, celebrated her 9th birthday on April 5th. Hooriya is the granddaughter of Syed Yousaf Shah, Aramco Badge ID 71533.
It was a beautiful, sunny morning, with the winter breeze in the air and a lightness in my heart. My parents and I had just finished breakfast at the Dining Hall, and we were walking back to our 6th street home.
I arrived an hour before sunup on a January morning at a small village northwest of Billahmer, in the highlands of the Asir region. At about 2,700 meters above sea level, the early hour — coupled with stiff winds up over the edge of the Sarawat escarpment — meant, for the first time, I was properly cold in the Kingdom.
My first traditional Arab dress was a gift from a family in the Asir. It is a beautiful black velvet dress with blue and gold stitching on the bodice, sleeves and skirt.
We are excited to announce our latest service offering for new and existing clients of Reilly Financial Advisors (RFA), called FeeX. FeeX is a software system that will allow RFA to review, trade, reallocate, and rebalance accounts such as your Aramco Savings Plan at Vanguard.
UK Boarding Schools adapted quickly and effectively to the restrictions brought about by COVID, providing their students with a safe and secure home away from home with the benefit of being able to socialise with their friends, support from tutors, and access to excellent facilities and extensive grounds.
Today, I have the honor of sharing one of the most thrilling and heartwarming stories I’ve heard in a very long time, one that made me feel nostalgic, curious, and hopeful all at the same time.
Aramco Brat and pilot, Captain Miki Dykes took part from the skies in the 7-day road cycling UAE Tour stage race held from February 21 - 27, 2021 in the United Arab Emirates. The 2021 race was the third edition of the UAE Tour, 'The one and only world tour race in the middle east,' and the first race of the 2021 UCI Cycling World Tour.
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.
This small collection of verses was written as a poetic diary of my thoughts and impressions, influenced by my life and travel within Saudi Arabia during the past eight years (circa 1980s), intending, hopefully, for them to be handed on...
When expatriates describe their experiences to the less traveled, it often starts with food. In Saudi Arabia, because the traditional cuisine is so minimalist — spare, unpretentious fare derived mainly from ancient nomadic bedouin culinary habits — only two items come quickly to mind: kabsah and sweet tea.
The annual Al Janandriyah camel festival had been held near Riyadh since 1985 but we never knew exactly when. Every spring, we waited in anticipation for rumors of when the races would run and more importantly what day in the two-week festival would be allocated for expat families to attend. That was the tricky bit.