First impressions (Adam C)

As our 747 landed in Riyadh, I knew this trip was going to be a unique experience. The endless sand outside and flat, sandstone low-rise buildings as far as the eye could see indicated as much. Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia and home to 4.7 MM people, roughly the size of Houston.


At the airport, our hosts welcomed us and promptly collected our passports (I was nervous, but don’t worry, they returned them later in the day). The group escorting us around is extremely friendly and eager to teach us about Saudi Arabia’s rich history and way of life. However I already feel this trip is being defined as much by the things that aren’t said, as it is for the things we see. We spent several hours touring the King Abdulaziz Historical Centre (Saudi’s National Museum) this afternoon yet behind the ancient pottery and exhibits on Saudi Unification was little discussion of religion’s impact on the region and even less about the impact of oil Saudi’s recent history. This surprised me because Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina.


I have been equally unsuccessful in my attempts to extract the magnetism of personalities from our gracious guides. One of the students from King Saud University joining us for the week did mention he has 7 sisters, 2 brother, and more than 20 cousins!


- AC