IKEA!

     YES, I made it to Ikea to shop.  I did NOT get the lamp of my dreams, but I did get a fairly decent alternative.  Pics will follow when I have finished putting my place together.  The gal who arranged the ride had informed me that she had nothing she absolutely needed, but was willing to shop at my pace.  She then invited another gal along and the three of us set out on our journey.  The first gal (FG) had told the cab driver the night before that we would leave at 9:00am.  When I went upstairs at 8:30 to see how she was progressing, we googled Ikea and found out they were NOT opened at 9:00am on Friday, the Muslim holy day, but rather, at 1:00pm.  When the driver then called us shortly thereafter, we all agreed that he could come after noon prayers, so 1:15ish.  FG had repeatedly told me she didn't want to stay that long, and that she was only doing this for me, but that she loved to shop and was happy to come along.
      The other gal, the second gal (SG), was very anxious to shop, but FG INSISTED we HAD to stick together like glue.  The SG agreed, but indicated that she, like me, wanted to look at most things to get what she needed and wanted.  When we got to Ikea, I explained that I was an expert.  I explained that the upper floor tended to be bedding (as in actual furniture that had to be purchased from the bins downstairs) and room mock-ups, and that unless you were planning to actually design an empty apartment (and our apartments had all the basic furniture), it was best to proceed downstairs to the actual shopping part.  They BOTH indicated they wanted to look around so we headed about the maze that is the second floor.  We had told the driver to return in 2 hours (based ENTIRELY on how long I could get through Ikea by myself), and I kept telling FG, that she should just tell the driver to not wait.
     EVERYONE agreed that we were hungry and that the food court, which was VERY empty, as prayers had begun, we would take time to shop and eat.  They do not have the traditional Swedish meatballs, that we all know and love, but I had food that was very good.  When we were almost finished with lunch, the driver called to indicate that he was there, as it had apparently been close to 2 hours, and FG freaked out.  I explained, in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS, that I was NOT finished, and that everything I really needed was downstairs and I was not leaving without lamps and a shower curtain at the very least.  SG agreed that we would need at least another hour, and FG spoke to the driver.  FG is on a very tight budget (and she is a tightwad), so I had told both gals I would pay for the taxi.  When the driver called and FG freaked out, I told her in no uncertain terms that she could leave me there and I would pay for her cab home.  She refused and INSISTED we all had to go together.  The SG told her she was willing to leave and headed to the check-out, but I still had no shower curtain, as I missed them when I was bum rushed through the bath department as they were hidden in a corner, and I had no lamps.  Shower curtain, living room lamps, and bedside lamp were NOT negotiable, as they were the SOLE real I had wanted to go to Ikea in the first place.
     We then proceeded downstairs to shop and FG kept telling us that it could take HOURS to get through check-out.  She kept saying she wouldn't buy anything (although her bag of stuff said otherwise) and I explained I was not leaving without the non-negotiables.  I again told her to leave without me and offered cabfare.  She again insisted we stay together as she rushed me to the checkout.  One look at the ladies only line (which was seriously short for Ikea), she freaked out again and just left.  I didn't offer to pay for the cab because I was not done shopping.  They left and I was relieved.  I took the time to go and procure the shelving unit I wanted from the bins and proceeded to check out.  I spent about 1000SAR ($266), but walked out with almost EVERYTHING I WANTED AND NEEDED!  Imagine that!  The only problem with everything I brought home is that I wound up with the wrong lamp, although the second for the living room was cheaper by half then the one I wanted, and only one light bulb that fit.  Fortunately, the one bulb that fit was for the bedside table lamp.
     I was home by 4:30 with my bags of treasures and I was ready to start assembling.  I bought 2 lamps for the living room.  One corner, by the TV, now houses a paper shade, tall, standing lamp that provides soft light when I get home and just want to relax.  The lamp behind my desk contains a bulb that simulates daylight so I can work.  The shower curtain was about a foot too short, so I bought curtain, hooks, and took about 25' of the wonderful black cord they provided at Ikea to rig a proper working shower curtain.  I bought one cheap metal storage shelving unit to put by the front door.  It functions as a book/dvd shelf, place to set my phone to charge, and is cheap but highly functional.  I bought everything with the idea in mind that I am leaving it when I leave.  Of the entire 1000SAR I spent, I consider only about 200SAR to be "wants" instead of needs.  I purchased the shelving unit because I need a bookshelf and a place to store my art supplies.  It is ugly but works.  I bought the 2 lamps for the living room because, even though there is plenty of overhead lighting, I HATE overhead lighting, just ask Mike and Ian about their new lamps....LOL
     I do NOT consider my bedside lamp a luxury because it is how I best fall asleep at night and the biggest problem with overhead is having to get out of bed to turn off the light.  I purchased a small humidifier for my bedroom and it was a waste of money.  It only lasts for about 2 hours so it doesn't go all night and I wake up every morning with a headache, feeling hungover.  I am going to try and figure out how to get a venta for here, or a comparable substitute.  It will be expensive, but I cannot keep going like this if every morning I wake up feeling hungover and with a sinus migraine brewing.  It would be one thing if it was only some days, or every now and then, but so far, I haven't had a trouble free morning yet.  If I wanted a hangover, I would NOT have taken a job in Saudi Arabia,  As for the drinking, I really don't feel like I am missing anything.  For a country that does not allow alcohol at all, they sell a lot of alcohol free drinks like sparkling cider and near beer.  It is weird.
     I promise to post pics when I am finished, as there are still boxes lying about and I had to wash the fitted sheet I purchased at Ikea.  Are we the ONLY country that regularly uses fitted sheets?  "Sheet sets" in Saudi are 3 piece sets, but that means one flat sheet and 2 pillowcases.

     Finally, for today, I will say that I was able to figure out my washing machine after I googled the brand and model number.  Turns out, it is pretty idiot proof.  Unlike China, the buttons ALL have English translations AND you simply put the clothes and detergent in the machine and press start (+25 points KSA).  Life is not great, but it is getting better.  Maybe I should bake something IN MY OVEN!