France pursues Saudi princess over €6m bill - DISGUSTING........

Authorities in Paris are to seize assets belonging to a Saudi princess to help cover the cost of an eye-watering €6 million bill she left behind on a recent, no-expense spared visit to the French capital.

A judge in Nanterre, near Paris, on Wednesday ordered the seizure of three storage units owned by Maha Al-Sudairi, so that their lavish contents can be sold to pay the staggering €1 million-a-month bill the Saudi princess left behind on her last trip to Paris, French daily Le Parisien reported.

Al-Sudairi, the former wife of the late Saudi crown prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, checked into the ‘palace’ hotel Le Shangri-La in Paris in December 2011, with her 60 attendants and assistants.

By the time she left, in June 2012, Al-Sudairi had managed to rack up the barely believable total of €6 million in unpaid bills for expensive meals, jewelry, and a luxury limo service.

The princess started by renting out the entire seventh floor of the Shangri-La in the exclusive 16th arrondissement of Paris, for her personal entourage, and hired the luxury services company 'Cinquieme Etoile' ('Fifth Star') to take care of their daily meals, provide chauffeur-driven cars and a security detail, and take care of Al-Sudairi's dirty linens.

“Every day we had about 30 cars at the ready for her and those who accompanied her,” the director of Cinquieme Etoile was quoted as saying in French daily Le Parisien. “We are still awaiting payment,” added the company's boss.

That payment was estimated to amount to €1.5 million.

The day after her husband's death on June 16th, 2012, Al-Sudairi and her people attempted an audacious night flight, but were caught by staff loading limos with luggage outside the hotel.

As a member of the Saudi royal family, Al-Sudairi – who has since returned to Saudi Arabia – is protected against prosecution by her diplomatic immunity.

However, the court in Nanterre on Wednesday agreed that the contents of three lock-ups in the French capital be seized, and put towards paying the bill for Cinquieme Etoile, along with five other companies.

Authorities are hoping there will be enough to cover the bill, with the boxes believed to contain luxury leather goods, artworks, jewelery, and clothing with an estimated worth of €10-12 million.

However, the director of Cinquieme Etoile is not holding his breath. “As far the process of getting paid goes – it's going to be long, very long,” he was quoted as saying in Le Parisien.

“We'll have to take international legal action, before the items are appraised, and then sold at auction,” said the company's director.

Dan MacGuill (dan.macguill@thelocal.com)

Source:
http://www.thelocal.fr/page/view/saudi-princess-pursued-for-6m-bill-on-paris-trip#.UTssJVdmPOp

Boob smackers or Eye flirters

 

           http://www.clickrally.com/saudi-women-right-to-vote-first-time/ - Picture

"Phew.....Saudi women are dangerous" he muttered to himself whilst making his way through the main entrance of the pharmacy. Mr. H is a tall, broad shouldered man with an extremely high level of intelligence. He also happened to be my witty colleague and partner in crime during our night shift duty at the hospital.

" Excuse me, why do you think that Saudi women are dangerous.Any woman can be a femme fatale if she wishes to be one." I remarked.
' Well, I just got sandwiched in between two boob smackers in the lift" He continued with a huge grin on his face. According to Mr. H Saudi women can be divided into four categories:

1. Category one: The Ultra conservative Saudi woman.

This is a Saudi woman that is fully covered from head to toe in a huge over sized jilbaab. Gloves and socks usually complete the attire. In many instances the eyes are also not fully exposed....The woman would most probably be married to an extremely religious man as well.

2. Category two: The Boob/ Ass smackers

These are usually voluptuous full figured Saudi women adorned in tight fitting abayas naturally exposing all the curves... These women prefer to walk with their bosoms out to tempt desperate Saudi men or let's just say men in general.

3. Category three: The eye flirters

These are women who are adorned in abayas with a face veil but make sure that they leave theirs home with elaborate, striking eye make up. These women painstakingly go to great lengths to make sure that their eyes look super sexy and gorgeous with eye shadow, eye liner,fake eye lashes and of course coloured contact lenses . Some of these women call in a professional make up artist to their homes even on a normal week day prior to going out shopping at a mall or frequenting a restaurant with friends. I guess its a case of ' let the eyes do the talking'

4. Category four: The frustrated young housewife

This is usually a Saudi woman who is in a polygamous relationship and thus shares her husband with two or three other women.She is also most probably the newest addition to hubby's collection of wives lol. She is smart and trendy and makes sure that her wealthy hubby spoils her with designer wear. Since she hardly spends much time with mister, she chooses to look for fun else where, a case of " when the cats away the mice will play." This type of woman will be out frequenting hotels, coffee shops,hospitals and malls trying to seek pleasure and satisfaction from a young Saudi male who is more or less in the same age category as her.

Well, there you have it folks; a non- Saudi male's perception of Saudi women. I must admit I was laughing myself into stitches as he babbled along jovially trying to explain each category to me...
Oh well, working with such fun individuals always made the night shift a less painful experience. As the saying goes, ' Time flies when you're having fun.'

Uganda, The Pearl of Africa- Update 1

International cricket match referee Devdas Govindjee gives us an update on his current experience in Uganda where the ICC Africa division 1 T20 World Cup Qualifying tournament is being held. The participating countries in the tournament are Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria and Botswana. I am always happy and delighted to receive updates from him as his emails are so vivid and descriptive that I feel as though I am going through all his experiences myself. Many of my blog readers feel very much the same way. I would also like to take the opportunity in thanking Mr. Govindjee for allowing me to share his priceless and beautiful photos with my blog readers.

Greetings on a balmy Central African evening from the Hotel Africana in Kampala Uganda - after the beauty of the Western Cape where I had been since 16 January it was a tired and almost homesick soul that boarded SA 160 out of Johannesburg on Friday heading out on my very first excursion to this country.

The 4 hour flight rejuvenated me and with a time change of 1 hour found myself thinking that I was landing at some coastal city - that is the extent to which the nearby Lake Victoria's vastness influences the approaching landscape- the Entebbe International airport is on the shores of Lake Victoria.

The mind flashed back to 1976 as our flight approached Entebbe International airport - the news that made World headlines when an Air France flight out of Tel Aviv bound for Paris was hijacked and landed at Entebbe -before you could say Uganda the Israeli Commandoes rescued the hostages in what was then called Operation Entebbe!

Lets move forward from that short history lesson  - the 40 kms or so drive from the airport took about 80mins and what fascinated me that almost all the way along the roadsides there were some or other businesses being operated- it was early evening and dim lights created an almost surreal effect with the motor cars and buses jostling for prime road space with much competition from hundreds of motor cycles that also serve as taxis for those commuting shorter distances - the locals refer to them as Boda Bodas and naturally they zig-zag their way through traffic.

I finally reached the Hotel Africana in Kampala around 9.30 pm local time and managed a late supper at a nearby Nakumatt food court.

In case you are wondering- I am in Uganda to officiate for the ICC via their Africa Cricket Association  (ACA) at the 2013 Pepsi ICC Africa Cricket World Cup Qualifier (CWCQ) division 1 with the participating countries being the hosts Uganda as well as Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and Nigeria.

After a wonderful sleep in a very spacious room it was immediately down to business after breakfast on Sat morning as the tournament got under way- two venues being used - Lugogo and Kyambogo- fortunately both not too far from the hotel and about a 10 mins drive from each other.

Having not been able to come in as per our usual 2 days before any tournament there had been no time to conduct ground inspections etc but on visiting both venues on match day 1 it was encouraging to note that they met with required standards and everything that was needed to be done had been attended to by the local organisers.

The ICC's efforts to globalize cricket is certainly paying dividends as I sat watching play in the afternoon at Lugogo to see the very big turnout of supporters as well as their clear understanding of the game as reflected in the applause for good fielding or good batting etc. 

I felt once again that humbling gut feeling reminding me how privileged it actually was for me to be able to visit these grounds where cricket was being played - a long long way from my first games in the streets of downtown Port Elizabeth where the good old dustbin served as the wickets and words such as turf pitches or reverse sweep did not form part of our cricketing vocab! 

I walked around the field and bumped into a well dressed elegant lady who seemed a bit out of her comfort zone- she enquired from me as to where she could meet the officials of the Botswana team and introduced herself as the Hon. consular based at the embassy in Kampala - she also informed me that she had never ever been to a cricket match and did not have a clue as to what it was all about - hopefully after her day with the team officials she would have left knowing exactly what was meant by " one slip and two fine legs"  ! ( cricketing terms to the uninitiated of course!!)

The atmosphere at both venues was excellent with the sponsors providing hospitality areas with appropriate banners and signage as well as some dancers who provided some entertainment with moves to the music which was well controlled by the djs.

The standard of cricket played was good and the intensity shown reflected well on the competitiveness of the event with much at stake for the 2 teams that finish at the top of the table after the completion of two round robin matches.

Last night the officials of Kenya cricket ( now headed by the first ever Woman president of a national cricket body - Jackie Janmohammed) together with the RDM ( Regional Development Manager) -ICC-Africa Mr Cassim Suliman invited me out for supper- we went to a delightful Indian restaurant called Khana Khazana - ambiance was good with superb food and patronized by locals and foreigners once again bringing the message clearly across that parts of Africa will always attract the tourist!

I have rambled way beyond the intended short update and introduction to Uganda- that happens when one has had a 2 hour mid-afternoon nap and now at 11.15 still feels fresh enough to continue typing away!

The tournament continues tomorrow with another full day's programme of first round matches - 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon at the respective veneus.

The 2nd round matches ( each team playing the otehr twice during the week) starts on Tue and the final matches will be played on Fri morning with the presentation function that evening and I then fly out on Saturday the 2nd March.

If you actually stopped reading some paragraphs ago and then just scrolled to the end I shall not hold it against you!!!!

Until my next update- which will probably be before my departure I say take care - all pics on fb for the fb follower - stunning sunrises grabbing my attention the past two mornings! - all the best 

Dev

 The sight that greeted me on day one from my balcony at the Hotel Africana in Kampala Uganda.

 

                                 

 Day 1 like most of my days anywehre in the world has to start with a swim- no different at the Hotel Africana in Kampala.
 

 

 The RDM ICC Africa Cricket Assoc Mr Cassim Suliman together with the umpires officiating at the tournament in Kampala. Back: Rocky De Mellow, Munir Khan,Patrick Makumbi,Claude Thornburn. Front Johnny Gomez , and David Odhiambo

 

 A sight that warms the heart- little kids take to the field during the break to enjoy some cricket while groundstaff work on the pitch in the background
 

 

Monday morning's drive from the Hotel Africana to the Lugogo Cricket ground. along the way these "trunks" - am told they are very popular and come in all sorts of sizes- bought for pupils and students in boarding schools or hostels at universities.

 

Green Lush and Fertile - The Pearl of Africa. Uganda

 

 No wonder the boda bodas are so popular- weaving their way through early morning traffic a much better option than being stuck in it!

 

Loading the truck- Bananas are abundant in Uganda with the Matoke being a staple diet.

 

 Getting spoilt at Kyambogo - enjoying a plate sized Chappati! Indian food is a way of life for many Ugandans.

 

 More action from the Uganda (batting) vs Nigeria match at Kyambogo ( pronounced Chyam bogo!)

 

THE CAB RIDES I'LL NEVER FORGET

Picture - Gulf news

The last week has been extremely hectic for me. I had a hundred and one errands to run from sending all my belongings back to South Africa, to closing up banking accounts and of course doing last minute shopping. Naturally I was in and out of many cabs as I did not wish to inconvenience my friends from taking me from point A to point B. Whilst chatting to a taxi driver some time back, I recall him telling me that he has the best job in the world as he interacts with many weird and wonderful characters on a daily basis from all walks of life; each passenger having their own identity with their own fair share of problems, trials and tribulations. Over the past few years in the Kingdom I have come across my own fair share of colourful taxi drivers. Last week a friend of mine brought his sister to Riyadh for a course at the university. We had planned to meet up at the hotel around lunch time. They were residing at the Golden Tulip hotel. I called the limousine service and the Indian driver arrived promptly within a few minutes. I enquired if he knew where the hotel was located and he replied in the affirmative. During the long half and hour trip down town Riyadh in peak traffic, he did not speak a single word. Suddenly the car came to an abrupt screeching halt opposite an old delapidated building. " This is the hotel madam. You go now." he said. On top of the building there was a sign that read Golden Tulip Olaya house. I asked the driver to please wait until I find out if this is the hotel as the building looked old and run down. The entrance of the building was also closed with a chain and lock. As I got off the car the driver simply sped off without waiting for me. He basically left me in the middle of nowhere. After enquiring from a shop owner round the corner, it was established that the hotel was located there initially but has been closed down a few months ago. Eventually I had to take another cab and make my way in the opposite direction to the new Golden Tulip hotel located in the Nasriyya area of Riyadh. That same evening I headed off to Hayat mall to meet some friends for dinner. My taxi driver was a young gentleman from Pakistan who initially thought that I was a Saudi woman. He quoted me a rate that was exorbitantly high compared to the normal rate and only after conversing with him in urdu did his price come down. He was extremely shocked to discover that I was a South African woman and enquired about my roots. He wanted to know where did I learn urdu from. In Saudi Arabia your nationality determines your standard of living and governs all aspect of your life within the Kingdom. Within the taxi industry the nationality issue also rears its ugly head with Pakistani drivers complaining about their Saudi counterparts and vice versa. This driver told me not to ever travel with a Saudi taxi driver as they are not safe and a Saudi driver I met during one of my shopping trips told me that all Pakistani drivers are dogs and that they overcharge Saudi women. As you can see this is a definite case of the pot calling the kettle black. Any way, behind this Pakistani driver's bright smile lurked an inner sadness. Whilst waiting in the traffic he related a story to me about his brothers daughter who was born with a metabolic disorder. Under the auspices of the late King Fahad, the family were granted permission for the child to be treated at a hospital in Riyadh that specializes in genetic disorders. His nieces name was also Sumayya and apparently she also had beautiful eyes. When King Fahad passed away, Abdulla was sworn in as the King of Saudi Arabia and with Fahad's death, their royal decree was no more. They required a new approval. During this approval process, Sumayya became very ill and was admitted to hospital for 15 days. When she was discharged from hospital she was given a few months supply of medication. Due to red tape and bureaucracy their application requesting for treatment at the hospital was taking an eternity to process. When her medication supply was depleted her family were unable to obtain more medication from the hospital and getting the drugs from overseas would take time. Sumayya became worse with each passing day and eventually succumbed to her death. The driver had tears in his eyes and then took out a photo of his beloved niece from his wallet to show me. She was the apple of his eye. I felt sad and heart sore when I heard the driver's story. After having dinner with my friends I decided to make my way to Lulu hypermarket. Naturally I flagged down a cab from outside the mall. The driver happened to be a young 23 year old Saudi gentleman. I got the impression that he only reason he took up this profession part time was to get in touch with the female species of his nation...lol. As soon as I got into the car he was chatty wanting to know which part of Saudi Arabia I hailed from and what was my profession. He was also under the impression that I am a Saudi woman. The car weaved its way through peak traffic coming to a screeching halt on two occasions when two cars unexpectedly tried cutting in front of us. Halfway through my destination we came to a traffic signal and a young Saudi gentleman pulled up next to us in a beautiful white mercedez benz. The driver of the car rolled down his window and my driver was under the impression that the gentleman required assistance with directions. I was shocked to hear the man in the other car asking my driver to request for my mobile number. He also said that the driver should ask me to get off the car and leave me at the street corner. In that way I will find it difficult to find another cab and out of desperation I may just decide to hop a ride with him. I asked my driver to roll up his window. When the traffic signal turned green, my driver sped off down the road with the white mercedez benz chasing us until I reached the entrance of Lulu hypermarket. My cab driver seemed quite happy and excited to motor away down the road weaving his way through the traffic whilst the famous Iraqi singer Majed al Muhandis gave us company. My driver was a big fan of his and mind you he sang the songs ' ana hanyet' and 'atawassal beek" in a really melodious voice. I even suggested that he should take up a career in singing as he was very talented in my opinion. As a side note in 2010 the Iraqi public were quite disappointed to discover that their best singer Majed Al muhandis gave up his Iraqi nationality to take up Saudi nationality. Many of my Saudi friends were quite amazed at how the man got citizenship when there are thousands of people who have resided in the Kingdom for fifty years and more but have not acquired nationality. These individuals have been working in Saudi all their life. Their kids have been brought up like Saudi children with Arabic being their primary language. Newspaper reports at the time suggested that perhaps a member of the ruling family was smitten with the artists singing ability and that is why he was offered instant Saudi citizenship. The taxi driver that I will never ever forget was a Saudi gentleman in his late thirties. Mom and I encountered him a year ago during a shopping trip to Sahara mall. What really surprised me about him was the fact that he was immaculately dressed. I then discovered that he was an Arabic teacher at a well known school and because he had two wives residng in two different cities he worked as a cab driver after school to earn extra money. Whilst chatting to him he asked why doesn't my friend speak a word. He was under the impression that my mom was my friend. Mom does not know how to speak Arabic and hence she was silent during the entire trip. " Is your friend married? I have an elder brother who is not married so I can arrange for her to marry him. What about you, are you married?" he asked. I also played along in the conversation and when we finally reached the compound I informed him that I was not accompanied by my friend but rather I am with my mom. He was so embarrassed and shocked that his face turned tomato red. He got off the car and hurriedly opened mom's door. He complimented mom telling her that she looked extremely young for her age and then he apologized for asking too many personal questions. He also refused to take the money for his services rendered to us. I recall mom and I having a good laugh when he drove off. Oh and I forgot to mention my encounter with a cab driver who does matchmaking as well. He tried hooking me up with an American doctor that utilized his services on a daily basis. Whilst it feels good being able to drive a car in South Africa I do miss riding in a cab not having to worry about the stress of driving in peak traffic. South Africa needs to implement a better public transport system that is safe and efficient. According to writer Scott Murray, there is a small town in Saudi Arabia where young men aspire to become cab drivers in New York city. If they are able to fulfill their dream they then become the pride of their hometown. Whilst elite members of society may frown upon taxi drivers as being a part of a lower socio -economic group, it is the world's second oldest profession and without them the world's oldest profession may not have been able to operate.