Compound Life

Living in a compound in Riyadh can be quite an entertaining experience. Here's my view of what it is like for me:

1. The Compound Maze: Forget about getting your daily exercise at the gym; just try finding your way around the compound! With its maze-like structure and identical-looking villas, it's not uncommon to see residents unintentionally wandering into their neighbour's backyard or knocking on the wrong door. It's like living in a real-life game of "Where's Waldo?"

2. The Truman Show: Remember the movie starring Jim Carey, where he lived in an enclosed world where he was observed by the whole nation going about his daily business. Well, that is how my compound feels at times. I can go months with only seeing the same people doing the same things day in and day out.

3. The "Compound Bubble": Following on from the Truman Show, living in a compound can sometimes make you feel like you're in a parallel universe. Inside those walls, the outside world seems distant and disconnected. You'll find yourself discussing the most trivial matters with your fellow compound dwellers, like the best way to remove ketchup stains from a white thobe or debating the proper way to arrange your collection of traditional Arabic tea cups.

4. Tricycles and Golf Carts: Who needs a car when you can commute in style on a golf cart? In compounds, these mini vehicles are a common sight, zipping around with people using them for everything from grocery runs to impromptu races. And then we have the trike army, and It's like a compound's very own biker gang where Maintenance men in their blue overalls zoom around from villa to villa carrying out repairs.

5. Compound Social Scene: Living in a compound means having a tight-knit community; sometimes, it feels like high school all over again. Gossip spreads faster than the latest fashion trends, and compound parties are the social highlight of the week. You'll witness intense battles for the "Best Garden" award and fierce competition in the annual talent show, where even the most reserved individuals reveal their hidden talents, like belly dancing or reciting Shakespeare in many different languages. The pearl of the crown is the compound WhatsApp group where bored housewives try to outdo each other on who can attend the most arts and crafts or pool aerobics sessions.

6. The Call to Prayer Remix: Living in Riyadh means you'll wake up to the beautiful sound of the call to prayer echoing from the mosques. But in a compound, you might hear a unique remix of the traditional call, thanks to the location of the mosques strategically placed around the compounds. Enthusiastic amateur muezzins with a penchant for beatboxing mixed in with the more traditional sounds make it an exciting experience when first heard.

Living in a compound in Riyadh definitely has its quirks and comedic moments. It's a world of its own, where you'll encounter rules and situations that are simultaneously amusing and endearing. Embrace the laughter and enjoy the eccentricities of compound life in the heart of Saudi Arabia's capital city!

Because, as we say, "It's just another day in Riyadh!"