Riding The Aramco Bus

This morning Madeline and I decided to try out the Aramco Bus. Aramco provides bus transportation all over the compound we live in, to popular destinations in Khobar and other cities near us - like the malls and grocery stores, and to other Aramco camps. The buses are large, with curtained windows and lovely air conditioning. We've been here almost 6 months (Oct. 10th) now and I have never tried the buses. Mainly because you have to plan around the bus schedule. Honestly though, following the bus schedule is probably your best bet at getting anything done around here because of time restrictions like five prayer times a day where they shut down everything. The bus schedule usually coincides with the store hours outside the compound. Most of the days of the week the buses will go to the two malls closest to camp.

The Al Rashid Mall is tall and newer looking with 4 or 5 floors (I think - it's so massive my brain is slightly overwhelmed) and I believe a normal, healthy person without any children would need a good week to properly get through it.

The Mall of Dhahran is the closest to us and a little more plain looking, but equally massive. I'd say it would take a good 4 to 5 days to properly see everything there.

Madeline and I chose to go to the Mall of Dhahran today. Madeline was very excited - this being her very first time on a real bus. when we arrived she pointed out everything she noticed. I told her that the man in front was the driver of the bus to which she replied, "move on back!"

After we got seated and when the bus started to move she started singing The Wheels on the Bus go round and round, and with every corner we turned she said, "Weeeeeeeee!" That girl has a good time no matter what she is doing.

This particular bus leaves at 9:00 and then is back at the mall to pick up anyone who wants to go back to camp at 11:30. The next bus to the mall isn't until much later and because a lot of the stores close from 12:30 to 4:00 pm there is really no reason to stay. Two hours is not even close to being enough time to shop, but it was still fun to get out. We were able to pick up a couple of stylish sun hats, a robe, and some clothes for Madeline. We will definitely try it again some time.