Caution when vaping in Saudi Arabia!

**RIAFlight25** · 07-15-2009, 10:10 AM

Well, so it turns out I had my first REALLY freaky run in while vaping overseas.

I was walking through an open air market in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and was getting some very odd looks, being used to this, I continued to vape while I looked around.

I was just gettting ready to leave and was stopped by 3 Saudi police and got the infamous "Could you please come with me?" Knowing better than to argue with Saudi police, I obliged. I was shown the way to their SUV and asked to empty my pockets... they told me that people had seen me using DRUGS!!!

I thought "This is bad....really bad" I got the run around for almost an hour, all the time I tried with all I had to explain the ins and outs of electronic cigarettes. Needless to say, they werent buying it at all.

After smelling my liquid, and trying my janty stick, they stil werent convinced and called in two more officers. Luckily one of my friends who was a local saw this going down and came to my assistance.

Long story short, all my liquids were confiscated, and they demanded to know my full name and what hotel I was staying at. Luckily I dont fly there often (first time back in over a year) and I was flying back to Europe that night.

Just a caution, please be careful in questionable areas and countries... some countries make up the laws as they go along and have detrimental penalties for arguing with the law. Just do as they ask, and dont trry to talk you way out of it.

Just thought some might like to be informed of this!

Happy vaping and SAFE safe travels!

**Cori** · 07-15-2009, 01:07 PM

Woah that's pretty scary. I'm glad that it all turned out well for you. Great advice.

**wv2win** · 07-15-2009, 01:55 PM

That is scary. We take so much for granted here in the US. Glad you got out OK!

**OutWest** · 07-15-2009, 04:55 PM

Yikes! Sorry to hear. That had to have been very nerve wracking and frightening, Glad to hear that you (and your friend) managed to get yourself safely out of the situation.

You'd think they'd realize you would have enough sense to not use illegal drugs in the open at the marketplace *shaking head*

**PTJD** · 07-15-2009, 11:32 PM

Hey there RIA, close call there! I don't go to Jakarta anymore but I would not be vaping in public there also! Good to see you back safely!

**JustJulie** · 07-15-2009, 11:43 PM

So how bad is it that my first thought was, "I sure hope he has more liquids at the hotel"?

Seriously, I appreciate your sharing this information. We do, indeed, take a great deal for granted. I'm very, very grateful indeed that they didn't decide to pursue things further.

**RIAFlight25** · 07-16-2009, 11:27 PM

Thanks for all the concern guys! I am safely back in Germany now back in vaping bliss!

Julie.... thats funny u say that, cause my first thought was "Thank god I only had some eastmall menthol in my pocket and all my AWESOME vapes back in my room!" Talk about bad prioritizing! ;-P

One adventure down, where will the next be???

Safe travels!

**Mary Kay** · 07-16-2009, 11:34 PM

And here I was worried about vaping in a courthouse! RIA, I am so happy you are all right! Maybe we should start a fund for you in case you need bail money next time..or a rescue!!!