1960s Christmas Scenes from Sun and Flare
The pleasures of the holiday season, as celebrated in Aramco camps throughout the 1960s, are depicted here in photographs from the Arabian Sun & Flare.
Dhahran to London, May 1978 – Part 4
Sadly, none of us have particularly strong memories of Syria. Under the rule of the al-Assad family and the Alawite minority since 1970 (and has been ever since), I think our intention was to travel straight through to Turkey, but this plan was thwarted.
Trip to Al Ula
My colleague, Heather, and I were supposed to go to a wedding in Hyderabad, India that week in January 2022. However, COVID was still very much on the national consciousness and rumors were flying that if we went to India, we were not going to be able to return to Saudi.
Dhahran to London, May 1978 – Part 3
Back in Amman, we decided it was a good opportunity to visit the occupied West Bank and Israel. We organised a tour with a driver and guide. The tour included a taxi from Amman to the Allenby Bridge crossing, first built under Ottoman rule with subsequent rebuilds in 1918, 1927 and 1946 due to earthquakes and terrorism.
Aramco Retiree Golf Group Teed It Up at Horseshoe Bay in Marble Falls on Lake LBJ Near Austin, Texas
The Aramco Retiree Golf Group held its ninth event at Horseshoe Bay (HSB) Resort on Lake LBJ in Marble Falls near Austin, Texas. Golf activities included three rounds of golf at HSB Resort Ram Rock, Slick Rock and Apple Rock golf courses.
Dhahran to London, May 1978 – Part 2
From the Jordanian border post at Al-Omari, it took about 2 hours to reach Amman. We had treated ourselves by booking rooms at the newly built Ambassador Hotel, which overlooked the eastern part of the old city, with a breath-taking panoramic view, and more importantly a bar!
Dhahran to London, May 1978 – Part 1
In May 1978 three of us drove back to the United Kingdom. Many people have driven to Europe from Saudi Arabia or vice versa and the reasons vary - from picking up a new car in Europe, taking a holiday, starting or finishing a contract, or simply a great adventure.
More Musings
Thought a picture of my folks might help jog some of the older memories out there. Mom and Dad are Helen and Barney McKeegan who spent about 10 years in Dhahran. My dad arrived in the field in 1944. My mom and I along with my two sisters arrived in 1947. My sisters are Maureen and Sharon. Maureen was one of the founders of the original BRATS group.
Portugal, Off The Beaten Track – Part 1
My wife and I were missing our dear friends, the Bustins, whom we met in Abqaiq in 2010 and with whom we had traveled in Syria, Lebanon, South Africa, Tennessee, and California. One year after they moved permanently to Portugal, we planned a two-week visit with them in September 2023.
Saudi Arabia Unveils World Expo 2030 Candidature Plans in Paris
Saudi Arabia’s capital city is the ideal location for World Expo 2030 because of its growing international stature, strong economy and new infrastructure, according to several government and private sector officials who spoke at a seminar in Paris on Monday night.
Brian's Tale: Life in Ras Tanura, the Craft of Woodwork, and the Creation of Dovetail Artistry—His Growing Enterprise
A few weeks ago, I found myself browsing the Aramco Brats Facebook page, where I stumbled upon a truly exquisite Aramco Brats Cutting Board.
Saudi Cabinet Approves Use of Gregorian Calendar for Official Business
Saudi Arabia has approved the use of the Gregorian calendar for all official dealings, except those related to the provisions of Islamic Shariah where the calculation of periods will continue to be based on the Hijri calendar.
The Heart of Arabia Expedition, The Conclusion
The Royal Geographical Society was founded in 1830. Its home for over 100 years has been the prestigious Lowther Lodge, situated in Kensington not far from South Kensington Tube Station in London. From its inception, the society’s purpose has been the “advancement of geographical science”...
1976 Abqaiq Ladies' Football Team Takes On Abqaiq Men's Football Team
I recently came across this photo in one of my albums and thought it might cause a few smiles and perhaps jog a few memories. We were certainly ahead of our time (about 47 years!), as a ladies' football team was something of an oddity in 1976. We were a diverse, multinational mix, with two Americans...
7th Aramco Reunion in Toronto
After 3 years, 60 Aramcons came together for the 7th Toronto Aramco Reunion on September 30, 2023 at Woodbine Beach Park, Toronto. The azure skies, the blue waters, the sandy beach, the trees showing traces of fall colors and the green grass by the shelter that was rented for the event made for a perfect day.
Aramco Savings Plan and Mega Backdoor Roth
Many of you may be familiar with the Aramco Savings Plan, which is a key retirement benefit offered through Aramco. But did you know that the plan offers after-tax contributions? And did you know it’s possible to convert those after-tax contributions to Roth?
Tales of the Bedouin – Part XXXIII: A Camel Saddle’s Journey
In this piece Mark Lowey recounts the unique journey of a traditional Bedouin camel saddle that found its way from the Saudi desert to Watsonville, California. During lunch hour on a warm winter day on January 13, 1979, I took a walk to look around an abandoned Bedouin encampment near my worksite at Fazran.
Celebrating My Birthday with Middle Eastern Food in Washington, D.C.
This past Wednesday, September 27th, I turned 27 years old. To celebrate, some friends took me out for dinner, and my desired spot was a beautiful Lebanese restaurant called Villa Yara in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
Remember These Aramco-Issued Wool Blankets?
I believe these wool blankets were Aramco-issued in the 50s to bachelors and maybe families. At least my father had two of them when we arrived about a year after his employment in the ChemLab in Dhahran in 1955-56, and I recall seeing them in other homes around camp.
Fun in Abqaiq in the Late '70s
Bobby Riley shared these action shots of Kevin Durham, Kevin Riley and Sean Allen catching air while having fun in Abqaiq in the Late '70s.