Thousands of expatriate children have grown up in Saudi Arabian industrial communities like Jubail. When they return to their home countries, the adjustment can be tough, so they’ve turned to the Internet to reconnect with old friends, share memories, and even trade a recipe or two. At
www.jubailacademy.com, graduates of one of Jubail’s international schools share recipes for stuffed camel (ingredients include one whole medium-sized camel, 20 whole chickens, 60 eggs, and 2 kilograms of pine nuts). At another Jubail Academy site, former students upload photos from their days in the city. In a recently posted photo, the 1982 Jubail Academy Computer Club posed in front of then-spanking-new Apple II computers.
Here’s a post from
www.aramco-brats.com, the reunion site for children of Saudi Aramco employees:
“Do you often find yourself reminiscing about the good old days in ‘Camel-lot’ by yourself? Wouldn’t you be happier swapping memories with people who can tell a salt water intake plant from an air conditioning tower? With those who grew up with quirsh and hallalahs jingling in their pockets on their way to buy gum?”
One visitor shares his nostalgia about playing on the sand near the tranquil gulf waters, and another “Aramco brat” who has moved to London writes that she “always dreams of coming home to the desert one day.” She’s obviously not alone.
