Runways In the Desert

The Challenge and Adventure of

Building Airports in Saudi Arabia

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Navigating the Culture and Shifting Sands

in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran

By George & Lou  Hext

AKA Deward & Louella Hext

“I didn’t see that coming” became a common phrase for George and me. We had left behind a fairly predictable life in Phoenix and moved to Saudi Arabia to an unpredictable life of constant change.  It started with a phone call and a job offer to help design and build a new airport in Riyadh.

During the 1970s oil boom, Saudi Arabia was modernizing their country, building airports, hospitals, universities, and roads. George had years of experience managing and expanding airports (Atlanta, Oakland, Portland, and Phoenix). He was also a pilot and a former control tower operator.

Over a period of five years, George helped design and build three airports (Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam), each of which was on several square miles of desert land that lacked infrastructure, water, adequate equipment, and supplies. He faced many challenges: communication issues, working with diverse nationalities, and adhering to strict Muslim culture (daily prayers, Ramadan, etc.), and the lack of Western workplace practices, such as planning, punctuality, and follow-through.

As Christians (Southern Baptists), we gave up our freedom to worship publicly or to share our faith – the penalty for proselytizing in Saudi Arabia was severe if caught and convicted. Adjusting to Friday as the     Sabbath and Sunday through Thursday as the regular workweek was a challenge.

I (Lou) am a Yankee and grew up on a farm with four brothers, where I developed my spirited and friendly personality. Living in the Saudi Muslim culture required me, a woman, to be distant, docile, and submissive – which was new for me. I quickly learned (sometimes the hard way) to be submissive when prudent or necessary.

I followed the rules and restrictions specific to women, which complicated our lives. I wasn’t allowed to drive a car or be alone in public, and had to follow the strict dress code. The Bechtel advisor said, “Don’t do anything that draws attention to yourself,”  which made me uneasy about the religious police. I had many “oops” incidents – most were accidental, beginning with my arrival at the Jeddah airport.

My name, Lou, was often a conversation starter; it sounded like loo. It was usually the British who made the witty comments. One kid scowled and said, “Yuck, your name means toilet!”

While George was busy building airports, I participated in music activities. I played my accordion with a 26-piece orchestra in the musical Cabaret, gave many piano performances, taught piano lessons to international students, and participated in kids’ summer camps.

Note:  To be continued.