My first Travels as Export Manager (Part 1)

As I stated in my previous post, “How I started in Export before starting with Eme“, this page will describe my adventures in countries that I had never dreamed to visit.

Saudi Arabia

The first Country that I visited as export manager was Saudi Arabia.
In the 1980’s it was totally forbidden to take any photographs of the Country. But I being a young chap, said who cares, and took a photo with every chance that I had.

In those days it was not Riyadh the city of major importance. but Jeddah. I will always remember arriving at the old Jeddah airport, and the cabin doors opening with a gush of hot air and humidity. It was so intense for a city boy from London that it took my breath away.

Arrival

Saudi was then a teetotaller’s paradise, and the number of people going through Customs with double vision was incredible. Being one that has never enjoyed going over the top on a plane, kept relatively sober having had just a couple of glasses of wine with my dinner.

Customs clearance took ages! They went through the luggage of all non-Saudi residents; looking for any book, photo, or manuscript that was forbidden. Such as The Bible, magazines like Playboy, and literally anything that they might consider to be of disrepute.

Hotel – The Sheraton

Through the crowds of people, I made my way, and at the taxi rank made my way to my hotel, The Sheraton.
I cannot remember much about the Hotel, but three characterises, for some reason are embedded in my memory.
The First: We were advised to leave our passport and traveller cheques in the hotel safe.
The Second. The swimming pool could only be used on alternate days. One day for men, the other for women.
The Third. Being a Country where alcohol was totally forbidden, I couldn’t help but smile at the Saudi’s drinking at the bar what seemed to be a Champagne bottle. To this day, I still do not know what they were drinking.


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