Saudi Champagne; Cheers!

We made a trip over to the Oasis Compound 2 nights ago, which is about a half mile away or so. This is where there were attacks and casualties 2 years ago, to the weekend, of which we are very conscious of, and have canceled a trip to the town of Hofuf to check the Date Plantations and the market. Too much road time, 3 hours, not worth the exposure this weekend. Anyway went over to the Oasis Compound for a send off party for a 20+ year employee who has been in Saudi making a very positive impact with Aramco for the past year. It was a buffet for about 40 and the food was amazing. A new friend and Saudi national, Abdullah Al-Sherey (eek spelling) who is one our lead Government Relations reps (you don't do anything in Saudi with out the government's blessing) was ordering a Saudi Champagne. I asked what that was seeing as I didn't think muslims drank and that there was no alcohol in the country and he said with a smile that it was Perrier and Apple Juice mixed. My kind of drink, make that 2 please. We are sticking around the compound this weekend for the above reason really, might go out for brunch tomorrow, but I thought I would post a pic.

This is a map of the area with the pen pointing to Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, where we live and the leatherman pointing to Dubai. Laying on top of the map you see a prayer schedule and some Emirates (UAE) currency. Different denominations of currency are bigger or smaller relative to size over here. Most depict a Sheik on oneside and a mosque or other national monument on the other. Holograms and shadow images in the paper are used to prevent counterfitting. The texture is very worn paper almost clothlike and the paper is very durable physically.

Another customary thing we have had while over here is Sheesha. Sheesha is smoked through a water filtered hookah and is extremely smooth, no coughing. It is also a pretty mellow tobacco buzz. You do not put direct flame on sheesha to smoke it, instead you use charcoals placed on top in foil with holes through it and burn it this way. Thanks for visiting.