It was all over Twitter, Facebook, and all everyone could talk about the last few weeks. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/11/saudi-arabia-police-quell-protests
What will happen March 11? Should we stay home or go ahead with our normal Friday activities? Is history in the making? Then the advisement from our government officials came to just stay home because no one was certain what might happen if protests did occur after the King announced that they would not be tolerated.
Well the only rage I'm aware of was in my home trying to have a home Primary day and then helping the boys keep the Sabbath Holy. I read in the NY Times that one protest of about 500 people did occur in Al Hasa, go figure in all the entire country there was a small showing in the city closest too us. However, nothing has come of it and I don't think any thing will.
As for us however, the impending protests did cause us some angst. We had plans to drive to DHA to see a comedy show then stay the night with friends. Once it was finally advised to not be out and about on Fri. we changed our plans to go up on Thurs. afternoon do some shopping, go to the show and head home late. By mid morning the wind picked up and by early afternoon a Shamal was blowing in. When I called DHA my friends said it was all clear there so we pressed on. Along the route other than winds, dust, and camels extremely close to the road and few that chose to dart across in front of traffic all was well.
We arrived in town ran a few errands, got turned around in a Mall, stuck in heavy security traffic, and finally dropped the boys off an hour late at the sitters. Once we finally got our seats we sat through a so-so comedy show that had quite a lot of Arabic in it for a show that was advertised as ALL ENGLISH. Oh well, we were back on the road by 10:30 and that's when the real trouble began.
Just outside of DHA we drove into the worst sand storm we have ever exprierenced. It was complicated by the fact that it was late, dark, and Chris was tired. The bigger boys fell asleep not long into the ride and G was happily oblivious to the entire experience until the last bit where he too fell asleep. As we struggled to keep our car on the road the visibility kept decreasing and at time there was none at all. If felt like a blizzard. "Just turn around," was a thought but there really aren't places to turn around. Luckily most of the squirrels, as we like to call them, were driving slowly with their hazards on. At one point I was in a complete panic because Chris decided he could not stay awake without some help and had to pull over to get a drink. The only problem was we were in the median and he had to cross the highway on foot wearing a black T shirt. Not long after this there were no more cars and no more lights we were alone on the last stretch of road home. With no reference points it was a bizarre feeling. We didn't see the flares that welcome us home and thankfully none of those camels were still near the road. We couldn't even see UDH until we arrived at the first security point. At first we thought maybe the storm had caused a power outage instead it was just that bad of a storm and you just couldn't see the city.
Many prayers of help and thanks were offered and granted in our behalf. Even though it took us the same amount of time to get home as usual if felt as though sections of the road had been removed and the trip shortened as we arrived at certain reference points quicker than we expected. It's easy to see how quickly you could get turned around without a fixed point of reference.
I guess in the end history was made on March 11 just not here. I'm happy to say that our good friends, the Carruths, in Tokyo are safe and well. Their daughter and son in law were flying in when the earthquake happened. They were diverted but now have been reunited. Other than major delays and inconveniences for them their part of the country is OK.
What will happen March 11? Should we stay home or go ahead with our normal Friday activities? Is history in the making? Then the advisement from our government officials came to just stay home because no one was certain what might happen if protests did occur after the King announced that they would not be tolerated.
Well the only rage I'm aware of was in my home trying to have a home Primary day and then helping the boys keep the Sabbath Holy. I read in the NY Times that one protest of about 500 people did occur in Al Hasa, go figure in all the entire country there was a small showing in the city closest too us. However, nothing has come of it and I don't think any thing will.
As for us however, the impending protests did cause us some angst. We had plans to drive to DHA to see a comedy show then stay the night with friends. Once it was finally advised to not be out and about on Fri. we changed our plans to go up on Thurs. afternoon do some shopping, go to the show and head home late. By mid morning the wind picked up and by early afternoon a Shamal was blowing in. When I called DHA my friends said it was all clear there so we pressed on. Along the route other than winds, dust, and camels extremely close to the road and few that chose to dart across in front of traffic all was well.
We arrived in town ran a few errands, got turned around in a Mall, stuck in heavy security traffic, and finally dropped the boys off an hour late at the sitters. Once we finally got our seats we sat through a so-so comedy show that had quite a lot of Arabic in it for a show that was advertised as ALL ENGLISH. Oh well, we were back on the road by 10:30 and that's when the real trouble began.
Just outside of DHA we drove into the worst sand storm we have ever exprierenced. It was complicated by the fact that it was late, dark, and Chris was tired. The bigger boys fell asleep not long into the ride and G was happily oblivious to the entire experience until the last bit where he too fell asleep. As we struggled to keep our car on the road the visibility kept decreasing and at time there was none at all. If felt like a blizzard. "Just turn around," was a thought but there really aren't places to turn around. Luckily most of the squirrels, as we like to call them, were driving slowly with their hazards on. At one point I was in a complete panic because Chris decided he could not stay awake without some help and had to pull over to get a drink. The only problem was we were in the median and he had to cross the highway on foot wearing a black T shirt. Not long after this there were no more cars and no more lights we were alone on the last stretch of road home. With no reference points it was a bizarre feeling. We didn't see the flares that welcome us home and thankfully none of those camels were still near the road. We couldn't even see UDH until we arrived at the first security point. At first we thought maybe the storm had caused a power outage instead it was just that bad of a storm and you just couldn't see the city.
Many prayers of help and thanks were offered and granted in our behalf. Even though it took us the same amount of time to get home as usual if felt as though sections of the road had been removed and the trip shortened as we arrived at certain reference points quicker than we expected. It's easy to see how quickly you could get turned around without a fixed point of reference.
I guess in the end history was made on March 11 just not here. I'm happy to say that our good friends, the Carruths, in Tokyo are safe and well. Their daughter and son in law were flying in when the earthquake happened. They were diverted but now have been reunited. Other than major delays and inconveniences for them their part of the country is OK.
I'm so glad you are all safe and survived that crazy sand storm! We're thinking of you until we get to see you in person!
ReplyDeleteWow. What an experience. Sounds pretty scary. I'm glad the kids were asleep, and that Chris was awake. I can't imagine seeing camels near the road, or even being in a sand storm. A whole other world over there.
ReplyDelete