Over the days and weeks that followed, it was difficult to keep up with changes as new roads and buildings sprouted up at an alarming rate; I have to say that most were positive changes, with oil revenues allocated to the various Five-Year plans. Ports would be expanded, hospitals and schools created, airports completely built from scratch, and then a plethora of new shopping centres to prevent us going short of anything! Sid Deeky was my Friend is a memoir recalling the days of expat life in Saudi Arabia between 1978-1985. From the daily rigour of port life to the sweeping deserts and hectic roads, Hunt's convivial recounting of his time at the Port of Jeddah covers a broad range of experiences, landscapes and interactions. Whether caught up in the daily drama of the port or cruising down Jeddah's Corniche Road in a signature Datsun, Hunt's account of expat life provides that sense of adventure which enticed so many members of Saudi Arabia's immigrant communities in the first place. Bright, poignant and occasionally tragic, this tale offers a window into expat life during an economic boom which utterly transformed the country - a transformation which would never have been possible without the immense effort of thousands of expats who migrated from Europe, Africa, the Americas and elsewhere in Asia in search of greater opportunities.

About the Author
Ian Davidson Hunt was born in March 1946 in Sunderland, which makes him a 'Mackem', which is appropriate as much of his mother's side were shipbuilders on the Tyne. His father was a Scot who spent much of his working life in the USA and in what used to be called Persia as a draughtsman. They lived at a place called Hooton in the Wirral and he attended Childer Thornton Primary school, attended a private school Wellington in Bebbington, where he not proved to be a great academic, but enjoyed the sport of rowing with Grosvenor Rowing Club on the Dee at Chester. He managed to get a job with Mersey Docks & Harbour Board in the early 1960's as a Management Trainee. This proved to be a good choice as the time spent there opened up employment opportunities overseas in ports in Saudi Arabia, Kenya and Mozambique. He married Christine in 1970 and had a son Oliver, who is now a father himself. After much house renovation in Upton in the Wirral they finally moved to an ex-working farm near Bodfari, North Wales where they run a small holiday let business from a converted outbuilding. He is an avid collector of signed aviation art, books and has a collection of WW2 model aircraft!


Book Information
ISBN 9781914933578
Author Ian Hunt
Format Paperback
Page Count 207
Imprint i2i Publishing
Publisher i2i Publishing