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| Group snap shot |
Summertime has not been completely going away and the blaze of the scorching sun still blistering our skin but it didn’t make any reason for these men and ladies posing at the edge of the sea shore to get scared. Management of Al-Mouwasat Hospital has given 5 days non-working holidays, the holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of dawn-to-sunset fasting. On Eid ul-Fitr, Muslims feast & pray and while they celebrate their own traditional festivities, Filipinos too, have their own way of enjoying the holidays provided by their respective companies. Group of friends were gathered and I was one among the invited to a short journey comprising of six cars and two coaster mini buses, we traveled through the highway going to city of Jubail, spent around one hour drive from Al-Khobar skipping three cites of Dammam, Saihat and Qatif before reaching Jubail City.
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| Photo under the tree |
The place is a government owned facility wherein a Water Desalination plant is located. The plant was made to process seawater by converting it into potable water, supply them to Riyadh area and other places of the kingdom. Very beautiful and inspiring vicinity that only authorized personalities can see. Outsiders need to get sponsor in order to avail permission and it requires a lot of procedure before obtaining entry (e.g. surrendering driver’s license in exchange of gate passes).
In this snap shot on the left, you may not believe that two of them are not Filipino, yep.. two sisters are from Myanmar and who would say that they are not belong to Filipino race when you see their looks. But you see, they enjoyed to be in the company of Filipinos during this kind of occasions.
In a very far background of this shot, the scene of the water desalination plant is visible. Although it is not very vivid to see but if you look intensely you can figure out six columns arrange in a parallel order far behind. It’s not allowed to take picture at close range.
Ester & Jun Briones, a very accommodating coupe led us in welcoming to the key point where we are heading and just like a tourist guide, they took us to area we used to set our things; (e.g. tent, some chairs, food & drinks). All are smiling and expressed their sincere appreciation and thankful for the warm welcome. Like any other celebrations, picture taking was very eminent and Mouwasat ladies had taken all the opportunity to use beautiful backgrounds around vicinity.
On the night time of the same event, although some of the ladies were unable to join the trip, we moved to another location at Al-Gosaibi beach nearby Half Moon beach in Al-Khobar. Many went into the sea for swimming, collecting ‘halaan’ shells were one of the most interesting parts of the experience, and some were catching fish by using lambat. It may be imperative to mention that the place is occupied by all Filipinos coming from different places of the kingdom such as Riyadh, Hofuf and from nearby cities of Dammam and Al-Khobar. Spending the whole night there; cooking, playing sounds, fishing, talking and of course picture taking will never be excluded. Foods and drinks (no liquor of course) were so abundant.
This is how Overseas Filipinos in Saudi spend their holidays. An alternative to sustain sadness, the way where we can compensate from tedious work and routines, a mean that can relieve pain as a result of being away from home and family.
Between boundaries. . . we say, we stretch our hands across the lands and seas and offer them to you. It’s our way saying, we are here to serve you, our family and our country. But in some way or another, we must also do something to relieve, to recharge energy “para hindi ma-low bat”.
