Sabaah al-Khayr (good morning)
   Well i have made it through week one in the desert Kingdom. It has been an eventful week, full of wonderful and bizarre events. My week started off at the red crescent Office meeting a group of incredibly nice staff that will be responsible for processing my "ikama" (Saudi ID). Until that's finished i was told that i could basically do as i please. With those words of endorsement i took it upon my self to discover the kingdom.
   After sleeping for around 20 hours in the hotel i woke up early, had a breakfast of hot dogs eggs and humus (its not a Saudi tradition its a Bengali one, and there in the kitchen) i  decided to hail a cab and head down to "Chop Chop" square. Well apparently my Arabic is worse than the cab drivers English cause i didn't end up any wear near the holy grounds of decapitation, which i understand is a parking lot during the business week HAHAHAHA. But i did find 'Kingdom Tower" A massive 180 Meter tall building with amazing views. I also had my first interaction with how much the country shut s down during prayer, at least i wasn't locked into a store hahaha.
  The next few days were filled with amazing and enlightening conversations with a group of about 5 guys were already in country. These men are incredible people and  have survived some amazing adversity as the red Crescent Evolves into an EMS system.
   On day four we had a tour of the real Saudi Arabia. I was taken down to "bata." Although a portion of Saudi is a very wealthy, A larger portion is not!! "Bata" is where they live. It is a dirty loud disgusting place full of beggars and thieves. Ally-ways and streets filled to the brim with vendors selling anything from watches to goats to electronics. each and every person yelling at the top of there lungs in any language you can think off. All and all and amazing adventure, one which i intend on doing again!!!
   yesterday I was introduced to Saudi Rock climbing. Its bran new in the country and most people climbing are not form Saudi Arabia but here like me as an expatriates. The climbing isn't great mostly flaky nasty rock but still fun. i found my self on the top of a large rock outcropping sweating and bleeding ( mom i'm fine i just scarped my shin) looking out into an open dry river bed the government turned into a park. Seeing hundreds of Saudis Playing with there kids. kicking around soccer balls in "throbs" and "abias" Laughing and enjoying the cool air. and one of the most amazing things happened. the afternoon prayer call rang out through the canyon and each and every one of them stopped and prayed. Its truly inspiring Weather your Muslim or not to think that at that moment every Muslim in the world is facing the same direction and praying.
      I don't know much about the EMS system yet so there will be more to come. I send my love to all and will do my best to keep you posted.