Maternity Ward: Saudi Arabia

A few months ago our friends delivered a beautiful baby girl right here in Saudi Arabia.  Many that do not live in this country give me a strange look and wonder why someone wouldn't travel back to their home country for this important event.  Well, the facilities are great and people in every country have babies, so why not deliver in the country you are living in.  It makes things a lot easier.

However, things around the world can be quite different.  Did you know that many countries use "laughing gas" while they are in labor and delivery?!  I do not think this is a practice in the states.  Could you imagine using this while going through contractions or pushing?  I think I would just be laying on the table with my tongue hanging out imagining that I was floating in the clouds.  I am sure I would have had to have a c-section and I do wonder what the c-section rate is in countries that use this method for pain.

In Saudi Arabia the hospital doors are decorated once a baby is born.  Below are doors that I saw during my visit.

This one was unique with the birdcage and fake birds. 

This ballerina room was very interesting.  Inside the room I could see about 50 ballerinas hanging from the celling.  I wish I could have taken a picture. 

Not many baby boys on this day. 

Finally, our friends have a decorated door!

There is a company in the hospital that you hire to decorate.  I just kept wondering if these items were recycled or went to the garbage.  

As I was taking these pictures I got a weird sensation that I was being watched.  Yikes!  I forgot to wear my abaya so I was getting strange looks from everyone.  It is important that women cover when they leave the private rooms.  Oops! 

Spring Break in Oman Part 2

We also decided to do a snorkeling/dolphin cruise.  We saw quite a few dolphins but the snorkeling wasn't great.  The sea was very cloudy and when you focused your eyes you realized it was baby jellyfish!  We are also really spoiled from snorkeling in the Red Sea.  I am not sure if we can ever beat the snorkeling we get here. 

Hard to photograph!

Can you see the lion head?  The geology here is amazing!

Since Carter's learning to sail experience he has decided that he doesn't like boats.  Silly kid!

 

When visiting Europe we spend time looking at churches and when you explore the Middle East one spends time looking at Mosques.  The Mosque in Muscat was amazing!  The Sultan had it built as a gift to the Omani people.  When visiting a Mosque men should wear pants and women should cover their heads, arms, and legs.  We had a great time on this adventure.

 

 

This is the largest single piece of carpet in the world.  It took 600 people and 4 years to make it by hand.  It came from Iran.

 

So, our adventure was successful!  We would like to go back to Oman for some camping, cliff jumping, and turtle watching.  Here are some random photos to end our wonderful vacation.  Thank you Grandma Johnson for building memories with us!

 

 

 It is 5:00 somewhere!

 





Spring Break In Oman Part 1

Bryan's mom was with us for Spring break and we wanted to explore the Middle East a little bit more, so we decided to take an adventure to Oman.  Oman is a country on the south border of Saudi Arabia.  It is bordered by Yemen on the west and United Arab Emirates on the East. Across the Arabian Sea is Iran.  Oman is a country that usually remains out of the conflicts happening the Middle East.  It is fascinating how this country remains at peace.  Some call it "The Switzerland of the Middle East." We loved Muscat Oman!  It was so clean, the people were so friendly, and their are so many adventures yet to discover. 

It is important for us to have a relaxing spring break since working here is long, busy, and can be intense.  No more power spring break vacations for the Johnsons.  We will leave that for the Fall, Winter and Summer breaks.  We enjoyed our hotel pool, beach and one outing a day.  It was perfect!

We logged several hours a day in the pool.

 

We also logged several hours in the Arabian Sea!  I can't believe I can say we have swam in the Arabian Sea.  I constantly have to pinch myself to see if I am dreaming these days!

 

 

The first thing on our list whenever we visit a country is to find the local market.  This gives you a sense of what the country is about.  It is always a cultural experience and if you are willing to explore and be adventurous you can find some pretty cool stuff.  This is probably my favorite outing we did.  We went two times.

 

Markets in the Middle East are called Souqs.  This Souq was the cleanest we have see so far.  Much cleaner than our market in Seattle!

Do you know how many deals you can get when you dress your kids in the National dress?

Dressing them in the National Soccer Uniform is also a good technique to getting deals and help when needed.


(This ends part 1 of Oman.  I don't think my blog wants we to add anymore photos!  Grrrr)