SkyWatch: Jeddah Sculpture, The Bicycle

The famous Jeddah sculpture, The Bicycle, was relocated in 2015 to a new spot in the same intersection where it had stood since 1982.  Its old home used to be in the center of a huge traffic roundabout.  Many of the roundabouts in Jeddah have been dismantled in the past few years in an attempt to resolve horrible traffic issues.  The roundabouts have been replaced with bridge overpasses, tunnels, or regular intersections.

The Bicycle stands 15 meters tall and is made of scrap iron.  It was the creation of Spanish sculptor and architect Julio Lafuente.  It is believed to be the largest bicycle in the world.


To  visit MORE friendly skies around the world, fly on over to SKYWATCH  where you’ll find beautiful skies posted by bloggers all over the world.

Saudi Arabia Under Armour in Arabic

In Arabic - Here is another well known brand, Under Armour, with a store in a local Jeddah mall.  

Jeddah Funky Style

This sign is for a restaurant that serves gyros and other tasty food - but what in the heck is that stalactite looking decor for up above the sign?  I've seen other businesses in Jeddah with similar cave decor - I'm not sure I get the connection to this restaurant.

Our World - Jeddah Religious Pilgrim

Seeing religious pilgrims around Jeddah is a fairly common sight.  Because Jeddah is the main gateway to two of Islam's holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. Religious pilgrims travel to Mecca to perform Hajj or Omra, and many of them desire to travel to Medina as well.  Jeddah lies between those two cities.

On every flight going to Jeddah, it is not unusual to notice at a certain point in the flight that several passengers have changed into the clothing worn by male pilgrims.  They wear nothing but two large pieces of plain heavy white cloth. The fabric has no shape, no buttons, snaps, or zippers to hold anything in place. One piece of cloth is wrapped around their lower half and the other is draped across their top half. All the male pilgrims are dressed the same.




Be sure to visit OUR WORLD TUESDAY, where family-friendly bloggers share a unique glimpse into what life is like all around our ever-amazing planet.

Saudi Arabia "VIP" Businesses

Many businesses in Jeddah make use of the term "VIP" on their signs and windows.  The first picture shows the sign for a men's barber shop.  Practically every barber shop in Jeddah has "VIP" written somewhere on their shop. 

Here are some more examples of "VIP" businesses in Jeddah - above is a hookah shop that has a big "VIP" right on the door.   Like barber shops, most hookah shops also display "VIP" somewhere on their shops.

The coffee shop above has capitalizd on the VIP phenomenon too.  The problem is that the term "VIP" has lost its meaning here in Saudi Arabia, as so many businesses use it in their advertising and signs.

I have no idea what type of VIP business is in the above photo, however below is yet another hookah shop (red sign) that has turned the "P" in "VIP" into a hookah.  Clever.

Saudi Traditional Architectural Style

Traditional Saudi architecture varies from region to region. This is a newer restaurant in Jeddah that has architectural details like I have seen down south in the Najran region, bordering Yemen.  The influence of Yemen's architectural style is evident in this part of Saudi Arabia. 

Closed Sign in Arabic

Thank goodness most signs here in Saudi Arabia are written in both Arabic and English.