Our 3 correspondents all made it "home" and have been busy reviving childhood memories and making new ones.

The easiest way to follow their adventures is on ABI's Facebook page where we are sharing their posts and travel blog entries.

If you are not a Facebook user, you can still follow via these 2 travel blogs:

Lastly, a KSAReunion Flickr photo pool has also been set up by the reunion committee for attendees to share their photos.  You should not need an account to view.

We are very appreciative of these Brats for sharing their photos and stories with us.  Leave them comments in their blogs to let them know they put a smile on your face...or brought a tear to your eye, in some cases.

Shukran, ladies, for the daily jogs down Memory Lane!

Crystal Uecker-Maxwell (DH '91)

How many years has it been since you were last in Saudi Arabia?
Last time in kingdom was in 1999, so it's been 15 years. My parents were there from 1980-2000. I went to the Dhahran Main Camp schools from k-9, and my 9th grade yr was during the Gulf War - Desert Storm.

What made you decide to attend the KSA Reunion?
My sister and I are traveling together along with my dad. My sister and I travel a lot together, so one of us suggested it and the other said sure, it's just what we do.

What are you most looking forward to seeing again? My old house, the neighborhood, the schools...and gold shopping in Khobar. I'm also looking forward to seeing for the first time Shaybah, which my dad was the project manager on when there was nothing but desert, and Madain Saleh. Petra in Jordan has been on my list to see, so this will be close.

Strangest thing someone has asked you to bring back from your trip?
No one has asked me to bring back anything!

How many years has it been since you were last in Saudi Arabia?
I left in July 1982 and have not been back since.

What made you decide to attend the KSA Reunion?
I have always wanted to go back, but I've been interested even more since hearing stories from others like Gary Barnes and Diana Lynn who attended previous reunions.

What are you most looking forward to seeing again?
I'm looking forward to seeing my old house, 1175, on the corner of 11th and 8th Streets in Dhahran, but in general to walking around camp to the library, theater, snack bar and other old haunts. I want to see the Big Rock at the school.

Strangest thing someone has asked you to bring back from your trip?
Bahraini pearls.

Diane Christofferson (DH '74)

How many years has it been since you were last in Saudi Arabia?
I went to the 2000 reunion but left as a child in 1969 (age 11). So 15 years since reunion visit and 46 years since last lived there.

What made you decide to attend the KSA Reunion?
I wanted to go home again. The 2000 reunion was so wonderful and I know this one will be also. This one I think there will be a lot more Brats my age attending - can't wait to see them.

What are you most looking forward to seeing again?
My old house 810-J Street. The desert - all of it. The beach and the Persian Gulf.

Strangest thing someone has asked you to bring back from your trip?
A hookah pipe.

#2: We can’t promise you gold, tape stores or prayer calls….but this reunion has Arab food covered!    

If you would like to be on standby for rooms at the Omni Houston Hotel, please sign up for the Omni Houston Hotel Standby List.

As rooms become available at the Omni, we will offer them to reunion registrants in the order in which they have signed up for this standby list.

There are no guarantees we can accommodate everyone on the standby list. We recommend you make alternative arrangements for your stay which can be canceled if/when a room becomes available at the Omni.

Another Dhahran Women's Group cookbook to share!: "Crossroads, A Collection of Recipes." Published in 1992, it is a tribute to the cultural melting pots that were our Aramco communities and contains brief chapters of herbs, spices, and their history.  From the forward:  

"We have all traveled many roads in order to arrive at the Crossroads in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.  Hence, there is much heritage and tradition behind all the culinary delights included in this cookbook.  You will find unique and unusual recipes from around the world in Crossroads.

Whatever the regional origin of the foods, the recipes in Crossroads will bring you the delights of new tastes and new personalities.  The recipes included here are for foods with mood, personality and season."

Download your copy and enjoy a delicious trip down memory lane!

Sahtein! Saha wa aafiyah!  

Good health! Bon appetit!

Click on the cookbook cover to download (PDF).

20.6 Mb

Contents: Spice Crossroads Herbs and Spices Handy Substitutes Measuring Up Soups  Salads Meat Entrees Poultry Entrees Seafood Entrees Egg, Cheese and Vegetarian Entrees Side Dishes Breads Desserts

#1: Houston is Brat-centric

ABI's database shows that there are 976 registered Aramco Brats with a Texas address and over 350 in the Greater Houston area alone! That’s a lot of Brats who simply need to drive or take a cab to the reunion over Memorial Day weekend.

Now California boasts the 2nd largest Brat population with 696 registered addresses for Brats. Good news because right now there are round trip airfares from LA to Houston for around $255 and roundtrip airfares from San Fran for around $350.

Florida comes in third with 321 Brat residents, and it looks like round trip airfare from Miami to Houston, for example, can be bought for around $300. Not bad, right? We promise your investment will pay off in priceless memories! Why not sign up for air fare alerts or buy those plane tickets today?

Although Saudi Aramco might not like the current dip in oil prices…gas and air fares are certainly cheaper which will ensure that Brats can get down/up/over/south/north/east or west to Houston!

Commissary Highlights Bulletin for February 10, 1979: Avocados hit the commissary shelves, so, of course, you will want to know how to grow your very own "pot-plants," and a recipe for English Country Meatballs.