Been meaning to write about compounds for almost a year now...
Most westerners in Saudi live in compounds. We are no exception to that. Inside the compounds life goes on much as it goes on anywhere in the western world. There is no need to wear an abaya, or cover your hair. In some compounds it’s actually forbidden to wear anything but western clothes. That’s the category that our compound also falls into.
Compounds are like mini cities. Most come with their own restaurant, grocery store, video rental store, hair dresser, swimming pool, tennis courts and gym. There’s one compound in Riyadh that even has its own golf course. Some also have small hotels for visiting relatives. The size of a compound varies a lot. We heard that the biggest compound in Riyadh has approx. 3000 houses. Some of the smallest ones have around 15 houses. Our compound has about 300 apartments of all sizes. The smallest units are studio apartments and the biggest are villas with their own private swimming pools.
Compounds that have western residents need to take extra security measures because of a few bombing incidents in 2003 that specifically targeted western compounds. In practice, that means the Saudi National Guard is at the gate 24/7. They have big mean looking guns too. When you enter a compound you first go through a security check at the first gate. This is where they check your car, that you are not carrying anything suspicious in your trunk etc. After the first gate you often have to drive to the second gate, and only then you enter the compound itself. In some cases there is also a third gate. Yes, they take security very seriously around here.
All compounds require you inform the gate of any visitors you are expecting and will not let them in unless they present a valid ID at the gate. Many compounds will also not let you drive your car inside unless you’re a resident. If you have a guy coming to repair your threadmill or whatever, you’ll need to let the security know about it too, or he won’t be allowed to enter.
Oh and in case you were wondering, the muttawa are not allowed to enter compounds.
Most westerners in Saudi live in compounds. We are no exception to that. Inside the compounds life goes on much as it goes on anywhere in the western world. There is no need to wear an abaya, or cover your hair. In some compounds it’s actually forbidden to wear anything but western clothes. That’s the category that our compound also falls into.
Compounds are like mini cities. Most come with their own restaurant, grocery store, video rental store, hair dresser, swimming pool, tennis courts and gym. There’s one compound in Riyadh that even has its own golf course. Some also have small hotels for visiting relatives. The size of a compound varies a lot. We heard that the biggest compound in Riyadh has approx. 3000 houses. Some of the smallest ones have around 15 houses. Our compound has about 300 apartments of all sizes. The smallest units are studio apartments and the biggest are villas with their own private swimming pools.
Compounds that have western residents need to take extra security measures because of a few bombing incidents in 2003 that specifically targeted western compounds. In practice, that means the Saudi National Guard is at the gate 24/7. They have big mean looking guns too. When you enter a compound you first go through a security check at the first gate. This is where they check your car, that you are not carrying anything suspicious in your trunk etc. After the first gate you often have to drive to the second gate, and only then you enter the compound itself. In some cases there is also a third gate. Yes, they take security very seriously around here.
All compounds require you inform the gate of any visitors you are expecting and will not let them in unless they present a valid ID at the gate. Many compounds will also not let you drive your car inside unless you’re a resident. If you have a guy coming to repair your threadmill or whatever, you’ll need to let the security know about it too, or he won’t be allowed to enter.
Oh and in case you were wondering, the muttawa are not allowed to enter compounds.
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