Colorful Mosaic

I'm not exactly sure of what this mosaic is supposed to represent.  It's an abstract design with people in it and maybe fire and water.  What are your thoughts?

Tsunami Mosaic

This is another interesting mosaic done by female students at King Abdulaziz University, Girls College.  The big walls surrounding the campus are adorned with mosaic artwork like this, all created by the students.  I'm calling this one "Tsunami."  It looks like a city being flooded by huge waves.  I also see a couple of fish too.  I love the colors.

SkyWatch: New Double Dome Building

When I first moved to Saudi Arabia, I was amazed at the incredible amount of new construction going on everywhere.  Now more than five years later, the pace of new construction has only seemed to increase.

This new building has beautiful detailing and design elements.  While many of Jeddah's office buildings and other business buildings are architecturally innovative and interesting, many apartment buildings here in Jeddah (and there are many) lack imagination.  These apartment buildings are constructed following the same basic boring formula, which seems to be that of maybe 6 railroad cars lined up side by side and then that pattern is repeated and they are stacked on top for several stories.  Nearly all apartment buildings are designed in this manner, one after the other.  



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.

Fancy Girl Mosaic

I think this might be a mosaic of a bride.  Many brides here in KSA do not wear the traditional white that most brides in the USA wear.  This mosaic adorns the wall around King Abdulaziz University, Girls College, and I have featured two other mosaics from this group on my two previous posts. 

Dance Mosaic

Yesterday's post featured a 3-D octopus mosaic which hangs on the huge wall surrounding King Abdulaziz Univerity, Girls College.  Today's post is another of those mosaics, created by students years ago.  I like the colors and movement of this mosaic.  I was also intrigued and surprised by the thought that dancing in Saudi Arabia isn't exactly considered proper, yet a young student chose it as her theme for her project.    

Our World: Red Sea Octopus Mosaic

This outdoor mosaic - one of dozens - graces the outer wall of King Abdulaziz University, Girls College, here in Jeddah.  The mosaics were made by students years ago.  Some have fallen into disrepair but many have withstood the test of time.  This one I found particularly interesting because of the 3-D octopus design.  Many of the mosaics follow a nautical theme, while others chose other themes like geometric, religious, floral, or people.  I'll be posting a few more of my favorites in upcoming posts, so stay tuned!




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.

Green Lit Hookah Shop

Smoking in public places is another issue where I have seen progress in Saudi Arabia in the five years I have lived here.  Moving to KSA from a smoke-free environment, I was not happy to discover smoking was allowed here.  Smoking was finally banned at the kingdom's airports in 2011.  Late last year a ban was enforced on smoking in public places, outlawing it in places like restaurants, malls, etc.  Although some people continue to smoke in malls, etc., defying the ban, I have to admit that there has been a great improvement.  Hookah lounges are allowed to offer smoking in open outdoor spaces.

Jeddah's Quilting Arts Studio

Quilting here in Jeddah is quite a popular pastime for women.  The Quilting Arts Studio offers classes as well as all the materials you might need for quilting projects.  The studio also hosts quilt shows at the facility featuring the works of many local quilters.  To find out more information, CLICK HERE to go to The Quilting Arts Studio Facebook page. 

Baby in the Window

I love taking photos of doors here in Jeddah, so oftentimes as we are zooming by in the car I just point my camera out the car window and click away.  It's not until I get home and put the photos up on the computer screen that I discover what surprising images I may have captured.  This was one of them.  The diapered baby standing in the window of this apartment building was a total surprise. 

SkyWatch: Red Sea Resort Sunset

Some of my happiest times here in Saudi Arabia have involved the beauty and wonder of the Red Sea.



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.

Riding Helmets

These are the riding helmets used by special needs children who participate in a therapeutic horse riding program called "Open Skies."  For more information, CLICK HERE.

Int'l Diabetes Care Center

 

 

Diabetes is a terrible disease that affects millions worldwide.  More than 25% of Saudi Arabia's adult population is afflicted with diabetes, and that number is expected to top 50% by the year 2030.  According to statistics from the World Health Organization, Saudi Arabia ranks #7 in the world for the incidence of diabetes, and 2nd among the Middle East countries.  Exercise is one of the key factors in fighting diabetes, but here in Saudi Arabia, women are discouraged from exercising.  For example, women are forbidden from riding a bicycle in public and most women are not taught to swim.  As ludicrous as it sounds, girls sports in Saudi Arabia are discouraged because, among other things, holy men consider female sports "unladylike" and have even gone so far as to state that women participating in sports can lead to homosexuality. 

I await the day when the welfare of women is put ahead of these ridiculous notions dreamed up by the holy men of this country.   For more reading:

Close to 5.5 million will have diabetes in Saudi Arabia by 2030

Diabetes among Saudis a major issue

Diabetes:  Living with it, not for it

Jeddah Sculpture: The Atom

This sculpture, a tribute to science, is called "The Structure of the Atom."  This particular sculpture was presented as a gift to the city by the Italian auto maker FIAT.  I have read that this piece of art is motorized, with the rings orbiting around the center atom.  However I have never seen the rings in motion.  The sculpture is made of aluminum and currently rests in the middle of one of Jeddah's large traffic roundabouts.  Due to severe traffic congestion, many of these roundabouts are being dismantled and replaced with regular intersections or, in many cases, with intersecting overpasses and underpasses.  The artwork which graces many of the roundabouts is being refurbished, repaired and replaced in new locations around the city in an effort called The Jeddah Restoration Project. 

I'd like to direct you to a couple of other blog posts about the sculptures of Jeddah.  "Sculpture Mysteries Solved" is about how my blogs were responsible for awarding credit to a sculptor with some of the artwork in Jeddah, which had previously been listed to an "unknown artist."  The other post leads you to a piece I wrote for Ethiopian Airlines in-flight magazine about Jeddah's sculptures and the ongoing restoration project.

Jeddah Sculpture: The Sword

The sculpture is known as "The Sword."  I'm sorry I don't have any information about the artist.  The sword plays a significant part in the religion of Islam. 

Jeddah Sculpture: The Supplication

"The Supplication" is one of Jeddah's most well-known sculptures and symbolizes praying to God with open hands.  Crafted of marble by Mahmoud Banar, this sculpture is one of many that come under the theme of religion.  The base has an inscription from the Q'uran written in Arabic that says:  

"O my Lord!  Expand me my breast; Ease my task for me."

SkyWatch: Segala Restaurant at Sunset

The sun was setting on this day as a friend and I enjoyed a leisurely meal at the Segala Restaurant located in north Jeddah's Obhur beach resort area.  The restaurant has been around for quite a while, sits right on the water, and has gorgeous views as well as outside deck seating. 

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.

Jeddah Sculpture: Desalination Pipes I

This piece of art was one of three similar sculptures fashioned out of desalination pipes by Egyptian artist Mustafa Senbel.  The huge plastic pipes are reinforced with cement and glass.  They were used in the ground for the city's water mains.  The materials for these sculptures were manufactured and donated by the Amiantit Corporation. 

Jeddah Sculpture: Cross-Section of the Heart

Jeddah's mayor during the 1970s and 1980s was Mohamed Said Farsi.  It was his vision to adorn the city with public art on an unprecedented scale for this region of the world in an effort known as the Jeddah Beautification Project.  Famous world-renowned artists were commissioned to create sculptures for the municipality, paid for not with government funds but with generous private donations and corporate sponsorships.  During his reign as Jeddah's mayor, Farsi underwent heart surgery.  As a result he commissioned several heart-related pieces.  "Cross-Section of the Heart" was one of those pieces.

Until this past year, this particular work was credited to  Aref el Rayess and an unknown Belgian artist.  Thanks to one of my previous postings, I was contacted by the family of the unknown Belgian artist.  He is now being credited with creating this sculpture and several other of Jeddah's sculptures.  For the detailed scoop about this solved mystery, please click HERE. 

SAGA Bags in Jeddah

Our World: Dancing Dolphin in the Red Sea

This past year I've been fortunate to have spent a lot of time out on the Red Sea.  On several outings we have been entertained and followed by playful dolphins.  Most times I have gone snorkeling and seen some really amazing things. The coral reefs, shipwrecks, fish and other marine life are simply spectacular.  If you'd like to see more photos from a recent outing, please click HERE. 

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.

Also check out WORDLESS WEDNESDAY for some awe inspiring photos from around the world!

Arabic Sign: No Barbecuing on the Beach

This sign caught my eye as I walked along the beach on the Corniche in Jeddah.  

I don't know exactly what it says in Arabic, but the graphic makes it clear. 

Jeddah Sculpture: Abstract II

 

Featured in this post are two photos taken of the same sculpture from different angles.  It is called "Abstract II" and is the work of a group of unknown Belgian artists who were commissioned to do several works for the city of Jeddah.  All of the pieces done by these artists were done in marble and all are in modern abstract.  

In 1984 an exhibition took place in Brussels called "Jeddah, Yesterday and Today," featuring Islamic art, handicrafts, textiles, traditional dress, jewelry and other metal works, as well as photos and even an example of the traditional Jeddah window covering called Roshan.  This successful exhibition was a direct result of cooperation between Belgian and Saudi officials emphasizing the arts.

Movenpick Resort on the Red Sea

I don't think I've ever seen another building quite like the Movenpick Resort Hotel of Jeddah.  It is a favorite of photographers in the area for its unusual architectural shape resembling a conch shell.  The resort is quite striking in its location on an island in the Red Sea right off of Jeddah's coastline.  

SkyWatch: Orange Sunset

An orange sunset shot taken from my rooftop which also shows the blue neon Danube supermarket sign in both English and Arabic.



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.

Jeddah Sculpture: Inkwell, Pen, Scroll

This is one of the well known sculptures of Jeddah.  This particular sculpture had suffered some damage from the elements and vandalism over the years.  It has recently been refurbished, restored, and replaced as part of the Jeddah Restoration Project.  This sculpture has now been repositioned in a newly finished location along Jeddah's Corniche which runs along the Red Sea.  Many of Jeddah's 350 sculptures grace this area with the Red Sea as its backdrop.  Below is the same sculpture taken from a different angle.  I love the shadow of the feather pen on the inkwell. 

For information about the artist, Abdulhalim Radwi, and a view of the sculpture before it was restored, please see this previous post I wrote.

New Jeddah Corniche

A peaceful shot of three men in the traditional white Saudi garb enjoying a recently renovated area of the Corniche along the Red Sea in Jeddah. 

Our World: Birdman of Jeddah

Somedays when I look out my 6th floor window I can see hundreds of birds flying in the air in anticipation of The Birdman throwing out seed for them on his rooftop.  It's quite a sight. 




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.

Aseil Restaurant

An interior shot of a new restaurant in town called Aseil, serving traditional Saudi food.  I went with a large culinary group shortly after it opened, and I guess they hadn't worked all the kinks out yet.  Unfortunately I was more impressed with the decor than the food and service. 

Jeddah Shipwreck

At the inlet north of Jeddah called Obhur, a crippled and abandoned big party boat sits in the waters near shore. 

SkyWatch: Pretty Clouds

A rare day with visibility and pretty clouds over Jeddah, shot from my rooftop perch. 

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.

CDP Theme Day: "Cafe Chairs" Amara Restaurant

 Amara Restaurant has a real 60s retro feel to it.  I've been there twice now - once for breakfast and once for lunch.  The service is outstanding and the menu selections are quite varied.  I had a yummy frittata for breakfast and a thick burger for lunch.  It is located on Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Street, which has all those funky sculptures I've been featuring on this blog lately.  Amara is housed in a large building complex with 3 other lovely restaurants - The Connoisseur Bakery, Ajji Asian Restaurant, and the soon to be open Lumiere Restaurant for fine dining.  For more information, call  055-535-4139. 

City Daily Photo is an online community of photo bloggers from around the world, sharing the wonders of their area of the world pictorially with others.  Each month there are different themes that CDP members can participate in.  This month's theme is "Cafe Chairs."  

Please visit the City Daily Photo portal to view other participants' entries for today's theme day of "Cafe Chairs."