I spent 2006/7 writing Neal Of Arabia: a blog about my life as a Diplomatic Spouse in Riyadh. Now that my wife’s posting has ended we are back in London, so I can’t really call myself Neal Of Arabia anymore. But during those two years I came to love blogging, so I need a new outlet for all the crap that’s in my head.
I want to write for a living one day and cut myself free of the computer software industry. Until then, this is just a hobby. If you’re in the literary world and like what I write, please give me a million pounds and a yacht in Monte Carlo.
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March 26, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Dream
Sorry, I am not in the literary world… but I will try to read all you wrote! and perhaps I will like it!
As to the yacht… I would prefer a sailing yacht…
Have a nice day! … from Italy…
May 19, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Abu Arron
Hi Neal,
Thanks for the Saudi blog. Having left in 1992 it looks like I’m heading back to Riyadh next month. Can’t complain I suppose as I’ve spent time in Dubai and Bahrain (with alternating residence back in dear ol’ Blighty). I think I’d prefer a return to Kuwait, given the choice, but Riyadh wasn’t a problem last time, so……….
Anyway, the blog was most informative (thanks again) and shows that things haven’t changed that much. The kids are (obviously) older now and the boy is distinctly unimpressed that I’m heading back to KSA. The daughter, unusually, hasn’t said much at all. I think it’s the occasional “incident” that has them concerned. At least in the early nineties, it was only the driving standards that tried to kill us (albeit unintentionally) and all we had to do was keep our heads down and get on with it.
It seems you’re enjoying life back home, well done.
Regards,
Peter
May 20, 2008 at 10:02 am
Chris Neal
Thanks for the comment Peter. Can’t say I’d choose Riyadh again over Bahrain or Dubai, but it’s certainly an interesting place and not without its charms. Good luck!
June 2, 2008 at 8:49 am
raincoaster
“Neal of Belgravia” perhaps?
June 2, 2008 at 9:08 am
Chris Neal
Ha! Great name raincoaster, thanks. I’d love to call this blog Neal of Belgravia, but the trivially fraudulent aspect of it (I don’t actually live in Belgravia) would prey on my conscience and give me nightmares. Sad I know, but that’s the kind of guy I am.
Maybe I could start to specialize in rants about the yobbish antics of my fellow Londoners and call the blog “Neal of Behaviour”?