A self-proclaimed Old Timer, the late Nestor "Sandy" J. Sander made many contributions to Aramco ExPats in the form of old photographs and written recollections of his early days with Aramco.
In 1941 Nestor "Sandy" J. Sander joined the American army and was assigned to intelligence services in Northern Africa and Europe because he could speak and read French (as well as German, Italian and Spanish). In Paris, he met Georgette Cordin, and they were married in 1946. Later the same year, Nestor was back in Saudi Arabia, followed by "Georgia" a few months later. They lived in Dhahran until late 1951.
Nestor was an accomplished author, historian, and educator chronicling much of his life. The following two articles written by Nestor are shining examples of his work. Additionally, we share rare photos of Saudi Arabia and scenes from working in the desert as seen through Nestor's lens in the late 40s and early 50s.
![Old Timers](https://aramcoexpats.com/media/5545/th_peaches-ghee.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=500&height=286&rnd=132918688910000000)
"One Friday morning in the blue-tinted bedroom of our Dhahran duplex we awakened very early. We planned a picnic, not to Half-Moon Bay where everyone went, but to an artesian pool, a small lake north of Qatif, a seacoast town."
The First King of Saudi Arabia
![Old Timers](https://aramcoexpats.com/media/6963/th_the-1st-ksa_01.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=500&height=286&rnd=133592140850000000)
"On 1 May 1939, after dinner with him in the new mess hall, I gripped briefly the scarred, long-fingered, sinewy hand of the first king of Saudi Arabia: Abdul Aziz ibn Abdur Rahman ibn Faisal ibn Turki as Saud."
Saudi Arabia by Nestor Sander
![Old Timers](https://imgsrv4.aramcoexpats.com/Legacy/Galleries/17243/6956723719.jpg)
Donkey with Henna - 1939
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
![Old Timers](https://imgsrv4.aramcoexpats.com/Legacy/Galleries/17243/6810615142.jpg)
Young Children in Hofuf -1939
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
![Old Timers](https://imgsrv4.aramcoexpats.com/Legacy/Galleries/17243/6956723813.jpg)
Bedouin Woman - 1949
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
![Old Timers](https://imgsrv4.aramcoexpats.com/Legacy/Galleries/17243/6810615236.jpg)
Bedouin – 1949
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
![Old Timers](https://imgsrv4.aramcoexpats.com/Legacy/Galleries/17243/6956723905.jpg)
Qasr Marid -1949
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
![Old Timers](https://imgsrv4.aramcoexpats.com/Legacy/Galleries/17243/6956723949.jpg)
Khobar Pier - 1938
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
![Old Timers](https://imgsrv4.aramcoexpats.com/Legacy/Galleries/17243/6956723989.jpg)
Guides and soldiers 1939
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
![Old Timers](https://imgsrv4.aramcoexpats.com/Legacy/Galleries/17243/6810615382.jpg)
Ain Dar One -1947
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
![Old Timers](https://imgsrv4.aramcoexpats.com/Legacy/Galleries/17243/6810615518.jpg)
Wadi Birq - 1947
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Pictures in ca. 1950
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/9/16_78.jpg)
Georgia Sander
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/9/16_79.jpg)
Friend's at Ras Tanura in 1950
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Local Scenes
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/5/11_51.jpg)
Pond at Qatif
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/5/11_52.jpg)
CAL Arabia Launch and Dhow
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/5/11_53.jpg)
Boy Dressed in Holdiay Finery - 1940 Hofuf
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/5/11_54.jpg)
Women Dressed for Id al Fitr - 1940 Hofuf
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/5/11_55.jpg)
Man and Wife - 1940 Hofuf
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/5/11_62.jpg)
Coffee Shop – 1940 Hofuf
Photo Contributed By Nestor Sander
Surrounding Area in the lates 1940's
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/3/6_27.jpg)
Al Khobar Suq
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/3/6_28.jpg)
Safwa Fort
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/3/6_29.jpg)
Qatif Gardens
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/3/6_30.jpg)
Boy and Donkey at the Qatif Gardens
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
Working in the Desert
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/4/10_41.jpg)
Haircut for Stew Bevan
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/4/10_42.jpg)
Pump Station at Badanah
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/4/10_43.jpg)
Outlier of the Tuwaiqs
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/4/10_40.jpg)
Field Trip - Dinner in the Desert
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/4/10_45.jpg)
Fire at Damman 12
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/4/10_46.jpg)
Gazelle
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/4/10_47.jpg)
Bringing in the Firewood
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/4/10_48.jpg)
Living in the Desert
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander
![Old Timers](http://imgsrv3.aramcoexpats.com/galleries/4/10_49.jpg)
White Camel
Photo Contributed By Nestor John Sander