I just want to express my symphaty to MAY. I lived in a similar place for a year and it was really depressing (there I found the man I later married though!). Thankfully the money was great and we saved quite a lot for my other half to do all his courses and trips.. .. .NickMelb, if you have an option in the Middle East, I hope for you it will be with Emirates. Dubai is safe, full of expats and probabily the best location in the area for fun and friends. I would be reluctant to return to any country where I could'nt buy bacon in the supermarket and needed a liquor licence to drink at home!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. .Cheers,. .. .Mrs. FloatJockey. .---------------------------------------------. .Liquor licence allowance: 2 l. spirits/wine per month and 30 cans of beer <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> . .Pork licence allowance: 40 kgs per month <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />. . . . <small>[ 13 March 2002, 00:54: Message edited by: FloatJockey ]</small>