Amira Badawi Weds Brian Voorhees

Amira Badawi Weds Brian Voorhees

BY Aramco ExPats / /

Ali and Elizabeth Badawi are proud to announce the marriage of their daughter, Amira (DH 1991) to Brian Voorhees. The couple live and work in Washington, DC.

From Dhows to Supertankers

From Dhows to Supertankers

BY Aramco ExPats / /

Think about it, fellow Aramco ExPats. How many times, after someone learns you once lived and worked in Saudi Arabia, have you found yourself in the position of having to correct them after they launched into a well-intentioned but misguided commentary on the Kingdom...

Fathers, Golf, and Music Go Together

Fathers, Golf, and Music Go Together

BY Aramco ExPats / /

This coming Sunday, being the third Sunday in June, will be celebrated as Father’s Day in 60 countries around the world. Last year, AXP marked Father’s Day 2017 by highlighting 11 songs written about fathers, starting with Paul Peterson’s mushy-but-heartfelt 1964 hit, “My Dad”...

Join a Tour Planned for Aramco Hafla 2018

Join a Tour Planned for Aramco Hafla 2018

BY Aramco ExPats / /

Tuesday, September 18, is tour day and the Austin Hafla 2018 committee is offering two choices. The Austin Duck Adventures is an overview tour of downtown Austin. The LBJ Presidential Library and Texas State Capital tour offers an in-depth visit to two of Austin’s most important landmarks.

"Let Them Eat Shawarmas!"

"Let Them Eat Shawarmas!"

BY Aramco ExPats / /

Often when I sit down at my computer to write about one subject or another for AXP, I venture into the realm of my personal history to inflict upon readers memories from my past I believe they might find interesting. Such was the case last week with the article on shawarmas...

Old Abqaiq ACC Friends Reunite

Old Abqaiq ACC Friends Reunite

BY Cornell Seymour / /

Over 38 years ago, back in 1980, a fantastic group of Aramcons were hired and many of them resided in the old Abqaiq Aramco Construction Camp (ACC) which was located just outside the Abqaiq Main Camp boundary. In those days, Aramco Management decided that these types of camps should be divided by nationality and each section had different dining halls so that foods could be prepared to suit their native tastes.

What in the World Is a Shawarma?

What in the World Is a Shawarma?

BY Aramco ExPats / /

Back in April 2011, stuck in a monumental traffic jam on Interstate 5 just north of Seattle, I switched on the radio and hit the Seek button, hoping to find a station with an up-to-date traffic report. “Maybe they’ll recommend a way around this mess,”

Driver, Take Me to Half Moon Bay!

Driver, Take Me to Half Moon Bay!

BY Aramco ExPats / /

According to the 21 May 1958 issue of the Arabian Sun and Flare—published exactly 60 years ago this week!—if you were living in Dhahran at the time and wanted to visit Half Moon Bay 14 or so miles (23 kilometers) to the south by taxi, a one-way ride there would have cost you 12 SAR ...

2018 Razorfish Swim Meet a Success

2018 Razorfish Swim Meet a Success

BY Dr. Mohammed Ifteqaruddin / /

The Razorfish Swim University, founded by  Zubair Mohammed Iftekhar, successfully concluded the year 2018 with the Razorfish Swim Meet at Sujatha Public School, Hyderabad. Zubair is the son of Aramco annuitant Dr. Mohammed Ifteqaruddin.

A Street Called Straight

A Street Called Straight

BY Aramco ExPats / /

How often have you heard someone say, “A picture is worth a thousand words?” If that’s true—and we here at AXP believe it so—then the stories told by Aramco annuitant Bert Seal, Badge Number 17347, with his camera while serving as a photographer with the Public Relations Department...

Priceless Memories of Mothers

Priceless Memories of Mothers

BY Aramco ExPats / /

Hanging on the wall to the left of the desk in my study is a framed etching, “Chelsea,” by renowned American-born expat artist James A. McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1879 and depicts a long-since-removed wooden bridge stretching across the River Thames at Chelsea in London...

Sakakah Camel Race and Al-Jowf, Saudi Arabia - Chapter V

Sakakah Camel Race and Al-Jowf, Saudi Arabia - Chapter V

BY Ted Seymour / /

Perhaps the most fascinating site in the area is Dumah al-Jandal, an ancient city protected by the Ministry of Antiquities. This town was mentioned in the Old Testament in Genesis 25 and Isaiah 21.

“It’s a real doozy/doozie/Duesy!”

“It’s a real doozy/doozie/Duesy!”

BY Aramco ExPats / /

A few weeks back I was shopping for groceries when I heard the man behind the seafood counter say to the customer standing next to me, “It’s a real doozy!” He was referring to a monstrous king salmon large enough to feed an army arrayed in a bed of ice in a nearby cooler.

Sakakah Camel Race and Al-Jowf, Saudi Arabia - Chapter IV

Sakakah Camel Race and Al-Jowf, Saudi Arabia - Chapter IV

BY Ted Seymour / /

The two-day festival included a fabric fair. Handmade carpets from the area were entered into a competition. The vocational training school displayed carpets, electrical models, furniture and other products made by the local students.

The Very Merry Month of May

The Very Merry Month of May

BY Aramco ExPats / /

“The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.” —Edwin Way Tale

Happy Moments

Happy Moments

BY Aramco ExPats / /

In January 2018, Mohammed Ifteqaruddin visited Makka Mukrrama to perform Umrah. After Umrah, he met his two daughters, Aneesa and Ruqaiyah Iftekhar, along with his grandchildren and sons-in-law now working in Jeddah.

Sakakah Camel Race and Al-Jowf, Saudi Arabia - Chapter III

Sakakah Camel Race and Al-Jowf, Saudi Arabia - Chapter III

BY Ted Seymour / /

The festivities continued throughout the night. Young camels and sheep were slaughtered for the evening meal. The men gathered on mats around large trays of Kapsa, rice mixed with spices. Hot camel or mutton, with the bones, was placed on top of the rice. Each man would eat by dipping his right hand into the rice and meat.

Popping Valves in Arabia

Popping Valves in Arabia

BY Aramco ExPats / /

How many of you readers can recognize the sound of a safety relief valve popping? Aramco annuitant Dr. Mohammed Ifteqaruddin, Badge Number 140948, can. For thirty-three years, Mohammed dedicated himself to issues relating to safety relief valves at facilities throughout the Kingdom...