Happy Moments
In January 2018, Mohammed Ifteqaruddin visited Makka Mukrrama to perform Umrah. After Umrah, he met his two daughters, Aneesa and Ruqaiyah Iftekhar, along with his grandchildren and sons-in-law now working in Jeddah.
Sakakah Camel Race and Al-Jowf, Saudi Arabia - Chapter III
The festivities continued throughout the night. Young camels and sheep were slaughtered for the evening meal. The men gathered on mats around large trays of Kapsa, rice mixed with spices. Hot camel or mutton, with the bones, was placed on top of the rice. Each man would eat by dipping his right hand into the rice and meat.
Popping Valves in Arabia
How many of you readers can recognize the sound of a safety relief valve popping? Aramco annuitant Dr. Mohammed Ifteqaruddin, Badge Number 140948, can. For thirty-three years, Mohammed dedicated himself to issues relating to safety relief valves at facilities throughout the Kingdom...
Aramcons Describe The Hardships of Maintaining Bonds
One of the biggest hurdles of a Third Culture Kid is maintaining the friendships they formed while living outside their passport country as an expatriate or as a military child, where they spent a significant portion of their lives residing in a foreign country.
Sakakah Camel Race and Al-Jowf, Saudi Arabia - Chapter II
About 30 kilometers out of town, the camels had gathered from all over Northern Arabia ready for the 15 kilometer race across the desert. Ann Rhea wanted to go to the starting point so I drove her and her car to that location.
Honoring the Memory of Someone Who Gave
In July 2016, Laurene Ann Opdyke, wife of former Saudi Aramco pilot Richard Opdyke, passed away. While living in the Kingdom from 1980 to 1985 and again from 1997 to 2000, Laurene served as a nurse, dedicating herself to helping others. In loving memory, Richard established the Laurene Ann Opdyke Nursing Scholarship.
Sakakah Camel Race and Al-Jowf, Saudi Arabia - Chapter I
I was asked to drive several Aramco women to Sakakah, capital of the al-Jowf area, for the Annual Camel Race. We drove in a vehicle owned by Ann Rhea. Ann was interested in observing local culture.
Peanut Butter Reverie
Before today, we here at AXP have never featured a story about peanut butter. Thanks to Aramco brat Desiree Adams, this is our chance to correct that omission.
Last Chance To Save Your Seat For Our Free Financial Education Workshop!
Do you feel comfortable making financial decisions, or do you often find yourself asking questions such as “Am I saving enough and in the right place?” Join Reilly Financial Advisors for a complimentary two-day workshop at the Tandoori House, where we provide general financial education, aimed at helping you answer common questions like these.
A Diamond in the Desert
“Diamante” is the Italian word for diamond. It also happens to be the last name of Giovanni Diamante, Badge Number 160876, a former senior trainer with Saudi Aramco who came to Ras Tanura in 1993 and worked for the company for the next four years as a teacher.
Palestine Olive Harvest Trip
In October 2017, a group of Aramco Brats went on an amazing tour of Jordan and Palestine and to visit Daily Hugz, a nonprofit animal sanctuary founded by fellow Aramco Brat, Maad Abu-Ghazalah (DH 1977).
Why Attend a Reunion, You Ask?
All too many years ago, when I was an impressionable freshman struggling to adjust to the demands of college academics, I was told a story about one of my professors noted for his unconventional exams. According to the tale I heard, one of his tests in a previous year consisted of a one-word question, “Why?”
Bristol in September: Come Visit a World’s 10 Best
If you’re an inveterate world traveler (and what Aramcon worth their salt isn’t?) that’s never visited the United Kingdom city of Bristol, this article may interest you. If you’re also (or instead) one of the growing number of people keeping a bucket list for such things...
Tim Barger: Saudi Aramco-American had a Mission
Tim Barger died Feb. 15 at his home in Vista, California, leaving a legacy of projects to promote an awareness and understanding of the Middle East that grew out of his own deep roots in the Kingdom.
Reflections on the Olympic Games
The recently-concluded Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea continued a tradition with roots dating back to the eighth century BCE and perhaps two or three centuries further back than that, depending on whose historical arguments you choose to believe.
A Little Girl from Natoma, Kansas - “A True Story”
On March 13, 1944 a daughter was born to Pauline Maier Albrecht and Dietrich Albrecht. She was the youngest of eight children and the first to be born in a hospital. Her name was Dorothy. As a farmer’s daughter, Dorothy spent much of her childhood feeding chickens, milking cows, tending the garden and helping with other farming chores. More often than not, she was barefoot.
Historic Al Hofuf
Even before arriving in Saudi Arabia as a 22-year-old engineer on my first assignment, I was captivated by the ancient oasis town of Hofuf. It is mentioned in the Bible, and I had read that the old market hadn’t changed much for millennia, so it was one of the places I looked forward to visiting in the Middle East.
A Tribute to a Life Well Lived
Central to the greatness of Saudi Aramco are the talented and dedicated people upon whose shoulders the company has been built. Over the years, tens of thousands of Aramcons—Saudis and ExPats alike—have made manifold contributions to the company’s success.
From Aruba to the Red Sea and Back
“Those of us who have survived the Saudi Aramco experience without needing therapy all have fantastic tales to tell.” So, in good humor, wrote Everard (Eddy) Edoo, Badge Number 168957, in a recent email to Aramco ExPats.
Bedouins and Kapsa: Life Along the El Nala Anticline
We are especially pleased this week to feature a former member of the Aramco family living today in Mangaluru, India—Robinson Palanna, Badge Number 141806.