Day 1 in Riyadh

Riyadh - Friday, Oct. 30, 2009
We're here! After fourteen hours of flight time and five hours sitting in airports, we arrived last night around 9:30. There are thirteen legislators, two NCSL staff and two Saudi men assigned to the Saudi Embassy in D.C. in our group.

The Riyadh Airport was magnificent! We were whisked away into big black cars with big black SUV escorts, lights flashing and sirens going. Quite intimidating for all of us!
We are staying in a government guest conference palace which is the equivalent of a very nice big hotel except there is no one in it except us!

As I write this there is a call to prayer. You can here it both in the building and outside the building. When this happens all the Muslims stop whereever they are and pray for about five minutes.

Since Friday is the Islamic equivalent of our Sunday all offices, etc. are closed so we have a down day to catch up on rest, unpack, etc. This afternoon we visit a reproduction of the old historic Riyadh.

Everything we have seen along the highway is exceptionally clean and well maintained. All landscaping is irrigated with water that is piped from the ocean and desalinated.
Today the temperature is around 90 degrees with very low humidity.

Since I must use the business center for computer access I have no idea when my next posting will be. Until then have a nice weekend. (Please excuse any typos, etc. There is no spell check.)
Beverly