Al Ahsa (aka Al Hofuf, Al Hasa, Hassa). After several previously aborted attempts I finally got to Al Ahsa. I had the last two days off and am about to start a run of nights. Hence, no social life for a week. I caught the 12:15 inter hospital bus. It takes about 1 hour 30 mins to go south west across the desert to the oasis town of Al Ahsa. There is a larger National Guard hospital there. I thought I would use the free bus then take a taxi to the different sites...

Ma'asalama Kellie The Call of the Causeway draws another Expat out of Saudi Arabia. Some say it is the housing, some say it is the work, some say it is the food, but whatever it is, it struck again. Give me your tired, your weak, your hungry, yes Kellie is heading state side. To be met by her fiancé Steve. Good luck from us all. Even though your stint here was short you accomplished much. You had a very early introduction to Bathroom Punting at Dubai Internat...

For the last little while I have tried to avoid talking shop. Unless it was the extremely stupid, like the scorpions causing swine flu. But today was a stressful day and I am going to vent. Ramadan and EID have finished and the place is back to normal. It is getting busy through the day with 130 patients in 12 hours since 7AM. However this included only 2 Cat 2 patients and about a zillion Cat 6. (for the non nurse types a Cat 6 is healthier than me on a bad day...

A quick blog to sum up my birthday. I had fun, all be it a quiet day, Adele unfortunately got called into work at the last minute and could not make it and Kellie was rostered on. But Trudy, Lebo, Marbika and I had a really great meal at Bona Banana on the Khobar Kornaish. This restaurant is worth a visit and I shall add it to the review from a few blogs ago. But essentially is has nice food and a wide variety. The numbering of the menu is creative with no page ...

Well today is my birthday. So I am having a reflective day. Later Adele, Trudy, myself and perhaps Lebo and Yathreb are going to Bona Banana for lunch and a stroll around the Souk behind Tamimi in Khobar. I have be given mixed reviews about Bona Banana, John said it was great to sit and watch the Kornaish, Trudy and Kellie went with Margaret a few days ago and watched the fireworks while being hit on the head by the screens that divide the bachelors from the fami...