A Pilot Remembers King Saud and His Ministers

A Pilot Remembers King Saud and His Ministers

BY Aramco ExPats / /

Anyone using a computer to read this story owes a debt of gratitude to the month of September in the year 1958. For it was in that month and year, in the Central Research Labs of Texas Instruments in Dallas, Texas...

Aramcons Challenge the Euphrates – Part I: Setting the Stage

Aramcons Challenge the Euphrates – Part I: Setting the Stage

BY Aramco ExPats / /

In April 1979, in pursuit of spring break thrills, a largely untested band of young American ExPats living in Saudi Arabia and working for Aramco launched an unlikely assault on the treacherous upper reaches of the Euphrates River in eastern Turkey.

The Rule of Life - Part Two

The Rule of Life - Part Two

BY Tim Barger / /

Life moves on, but so too does remorse. Contemplating our crime I began to think that Milt and I had done a great service to Aramco. Now all the radios would be more secure, or at least the windows rolled up and the truck doors locked.

Like Father and Mother, Like Son

Like Father and Mother, Like Son

BY Aramco ExPats / /

Like the hyper-kinetic Energizer Bunny in those omnipresent battery commercials, some people just keep going and going and going. Take the family of John “David” LaRue. David, Badge Number 196810, will need to keep himself...

The Rule of Life - Part One

The Rule of Life - Part One

BY Tim Barger / /

As far back as I can remember the fundamental rule of life was to never walk along a street when an alley was available. The alleys of Dhahran offered so many advantages that Milt and I could never figure why the adults didn’t use them too.

Tales of the Euphrates: From AramcoWorld to AramcoExPats

Tales of the Euphrates: From AramcoWorld to AramcoExPats

BY Aramco ExPats / /

In a conversation the other day with a retired high school librarian, I happened to mention Aramco. Much to my surprise, without any prompting from me, she launched into a long paean in praise of the company’s signature publication, AramcoWorld...

Ski Half Moon

Ski Half Moon

BY Tim Barger / /

By the early 1950s, the extravagant waterskiing shows at places like Cypress Gardens in Florida had ignited a rage for waterskiing that swept the nation.

The Seven Wonders of Arabia, Part III: Electrifying History at ad-Dir’iyah

The Seven Wonders of Arabia, Part III: Electrifying History at ad-Dir’iyah

BY Aramco ExPats / /

The Saud dynasty and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia claim as their common birthplace ad-Dir’iyah, the sprawling fortified complex of mud brick/adobe mosques, palaces, battlements, and various other clay-colored structures located 12 miles (20 kilometers) west of Riyadh...

Saudi Arabia to Start First Phase of Neom Project

Saudi Arabia to Start First Phase of Neom Project

BY Arab News / /

Saudi Arabia announced on Wednesday that it will start developing the first urban area of NEOM, the Kingdom’s planned $500 billion mega-city. The founding board, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, approved the masterplan concept for NEOM Bay, which will include homes, lifestyle and tourist facilities, and “innovation centers.”

2018 Year in Review

2018 Year in Review

BY Aramco ExPats / /

And just like that, it's 2019! Take a look back at 2018's highlights and the community's favorite photos, articles and celebrations. Thanks to all our readers, contributors, and sponsors for another great year.

AramcoExPats Salutes Barbara Wilder, a Caring Health Professional

AramcoExPats Salutes Barbara Wilder, a Caring Health Professional

BY Aramco ExPats / /

A person’s health is the starting point to enjoying life to the fullest and achieving one’s goals, both personal and professional. Aramco has long been aware of this basic tenet, as witnessed to by the extensive health care programs it has established for its employees.

Christmas in Khobar - Part 2

Christmas in Khobar - Part 2

BY Tim Barger / /

In Part One, eight-year-old Tim has set out on Christmas Eve morning to buy Christmas presents for his family at Aramco's canteen which is situated in a green portable next to the mail center.

Saudi Aramco Expatriate Schools Request Submissions for 75th Anniversary

Saudi Aramco Expatriate Schools Request Submissions for 75th Anniversary

BY Aramco ExPats / /

If you are a student, staff or parent of Saudi Aramco Expatriate Schools (formerly known as Saudi Aramco School), we invite you to share a few specific memories, photos or videos, and a brief description. The themes for the anniversary are Community, Diversity, Service, and Excellence.

Christmas in Khobar - Part 1

Christmas in Khobar - Part 1

BY Tim Barger / /

I’m about eight and have ten riyals to buy Christmas presents for my family. No problem. The morning of Christmas Eve, I go to the canteen next to the mail center in the holiday spirit. 

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Like Mother, Like Daughter

BY Aramco ExPats / /

In February of last year, AramcoExPats featured one of the most enthusiastic annuitants we’ve had the honor of writing about in our 16 years of publishing, Greek-born Iro Smith. Iro’s great Arabian adventure began in 1982 when she and her husband Ron, a civil engineer...

R.I.P. to a Great American Hero

R.I.P. to a Great American Hero

BY Aramco ExPats / /

Aramcons the world over were greatly saddened this past week by the news of the passing of the 41st President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, at the age of 94. Those of us who were living and working in Saudi Arabia at the time remember with deep appreciation the dramatic and decisive steps President Bush took in 1990–91 during the First Gulf War as leader of the coalition that drove the forces of Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait and ended a dire existential threat to the Kingdom itself.