I want to thank for~~

listening and learning from the bright and challenging ideas in the fora..
meeting the fine, intelligent, warm and cheerful Saudi ladies..
being able to see the very beautiful Riyadh..
experiencing the amazing and admirable Arab culture..
tasting some authentic Arabian food..
having the phone company of my brothers from Dubai and Qassim..
the nice Filipino "kabayans" whom I've talked to..
the generosity of the NCeL and the Min of Higher Educ..
Masha Allah, thank you for all the graces..

My Riyadh Trip

Mar. 2. I received an e-mail from the KSA conference organizers that they will be sponsoring my participation.
Mar. 4. I received the documents required in processing my Saudi visa.
Mar. 10. I got my Saudi visa.
Mar. 12. I was sick and had an upset stomach. But I was able to finish my KSA presentation of about 32 slides.
Mar. 13. It was late in the evening when I received my e-ticket.
Mar. 15, 12.15 mla time. I left Manila for a straight flight to Riyadh via Saudia airlines.

Mar. 15, 20.30 ksa time. I checked in at the Al Khozama Hotel.
Mar. 16. I had the chance to see the Al Faisalaiah Mall, spent an hour at the Al Faisaliah Tower to see the highly urbanized layout of Riyadh. In the afternoon, made a 500meters walk going to the Panda supermarket. The Olaya roads are wide, clean and the sidewalks are very spacious. I saw a good number of very nice chocolate stores.

That night, I slept early around 8.30pm and woke up at 12.30am ksa time, to study and prepare for my lecture.
Mar 17. I felt good that day. I went to the grandballroom of the Al Faisaliah for the conference and heard very excellent plenary lectures. I also met and talked to some lady professors from the KSU and KAU of Jeddah. The Saudi ladies I met were very kind, warm, cheerful. One invited me to Jeddah and another one invited me to Medina.

In the afternoon, I delivered my lecture at Hall 3. I was the third speaker. I was very happy to have received questions and compliments from other academic colleagues. Mashallah! :)

I finished all the sessions in the afternoon, got a Starbucks frappucino and head back to the hotel.

Mar. 18. After listening to another set of very fine speakers, I had a nice lunch. I decided to take a short walk and found Dr. Kim, my mentor from Korea and Mr. Lee, a good academic friend from Korea too, having lunch. I had the chance to talk to them.

In the afternoon, we had a tour at the National Museum, so far the biggest museum I have visited.

Mar. 19. We were brought to the dates store and the small market near another museum.
23.15 ksa time, i left for Manila.