Q&A Portion 4

1. Can you please tell me about good and reasonable parlors in Riyadh?

Prices of salon/parlor services here are waaay overpriced when you compare it with the ones available in the Philippines. Take for instance a haircut which will take you aback for SR50. That's almost PHP600 already... and that's only the most basic cut! Hair coloring can go for SR500 up and rebonding for SR1,000! But of course, we have no choice especially when our hair's becoming unruly and vacation time is still several months away. Red Carpet in Suleimania, near Military Hospital, is where we get our haircut for SR50 (once or twice a year). But we found a good directory of beauty shops and other ladies' shops in Riyadh. Check the Riyadh Guide for Bridal Beauty. We'll be checking some of the shops there too in the next months.

2. Hello poh...I ♥ your blog. I learned a lot from it. I'll be leaving Pinas this June. I'm a newbie... I'll be working as a nurse in Al Hada. I have no idea about the place. Can you give me some information about the place??? :)... Thanks a lot poh.

Will you be working in Al Hada Armed Forces Hospital in the Taif region? Hospitals manned by KSA's ministries (MOH or MODA) have generally better working conditions than those which are privately-owned. (But don't quote us on this, we haven't been to many hospitals and clinics here in Saudi, though we have a few friends working here and there.) Taif is like the Philippines' Baguio. It's considered as a good summer destination. Unfortunately, we haven't been in the Taif region of Saudi Arabia so we can't say anything about it based on our personal experience. We're sure you've researched about it on the Net so we can't add anymore than those which are published online about the hospital and the region. The only personal insight we can share is that Al Hada and Taif are still parts of Saudi Arabia so you may want to read all our guides and how-tos in living in the Kingdom. If ever you'll be visiting Riyadh (we're 8-9 hours away by land), drop us a line! Okay poh? :) Good luck!

3. I will work as a teacher in Saudi Arabia soon but my wife doesn't have a job lined up as yet and hopes to find one there. Do you think it would be easy enough?

Most dependent Filipinas here work as secretaries/hospital assistants in the hospitals. They usually get work through referrals of friends. Of course, it depends on her qualifications too. She can try submitting her resume through the local employment department of hospitals and companies (who accept females). While she's not yet employed, she can be not just a desert housewife.

4. Is it easy to meet Filipinos there?

Of course! You can start with us. Lol. There are many Filipinos here and we usually gather when there's an event in the Philippine embassy. One single event can lead to another and you'll soon have a vast network of friends and acquaintances. Also, maybe you can befriend your neighbors. I'm sure they know a lot of Filipinos (if they're not Filipinos themselves). Actually, wherever you go here in Riyadh, you'll find a Filipino, hehe. Make that... anywhere in the world! :P

5. Can you go to church?

There are no churches to go to.

6. We hope we can meet you there... we read your blog. It was funny and interesting.

Thank you very much! We hope you continue reading our blog. Good luck on your move to Saudi Arabia. Hope our blog helped.

If you have any comments or further questions on any of our topic there, comment here or ask us via formspring.

Toodles!