SkyWatch: Jeddah Compound Grounds

Gated communites, or compounds as they are called here in Jeddah, are very popular living choices for expat workers. Women can drive within larger compounds and they don't have to wear the abaya (black cloak) when they are within the compound grounds. Life can feel more "normal" for the compound's foreign residents because of these capabilities.





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Saudi Arabia: Decorative Teapots

I'd love to start a collection of these charming teapots I saw at the local Turkish-Afghani souk.  I love the shapes, colors and pattern designs of the teapots.  CLICK HERE FOR A MAP to this souk where you can find baskets, carpets, furniture, clothing, handicrafts, jewelry, and many other traditional handicrafts.

Old Jeddah: Street Sign

Our World: Carpets

All homes in Jeddah that I have visited have flooring that is completely tiled throughout.  Most bathroomsm and sometimes even the kitchens, also are completely tiled not only on the floor but up the walls as well.  Therefore area carpets are a very popular commodity in this country.  These carpets are from the Turkish-Afghani Souk in the old part of Jeddah.  CLICK HERE FOR A MAP to this souk where you can find baskets, carpets, furniture, clothing, handicrafts,jewelry, and many other traditional handicrafts.




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Jeddah: Inside a Textile Souk

Clothing, carpets, and handicrafts are available in textile shops like this one in Jeddah.  I got a kick out of seeing the handwoven piece of the US flag in the lower left corner - I certainly didn't expect to see something like that here.  The other one in the lower middle also made me chuckle because Lebanon is misspelled, something that I found on many carpets and other items in the Turkish-Afghani souk.  CLICK HERE FOR A MAP to this Jeddah souk where you can find baskets, carpets, furniture, clothing, handicrafts,jewelry, and many other traditional handicrafts.

Saudi Arabia: Hookah Smoke Shop

Aromatic flavored tobaccos, colorful hoses, pretty water pipes - and anything else you need to smoke "Hubbly Bubbly" at home are all available at the countless hookah shops in Jeddah.  In the past year as smoking in public has been banned in Jeddah, many restaurants and hookah lounges have had to change their game plans.  Smoking is still permitted in outdoor spaces, so many restaurants and lounges have adapted to set up their customers with hookahs on rooftop or patio spaces.  Smoking sheesha continues to be a thriving business here in Jeddah despite the ban and despite reports linking it to a variety of health issues. 

Old Jeddah Souk

Baskets colorful, every size, every color, every shape!  Available at the Turkish-Afghani souk in Old Jeddah.  CLICK HERE FOR A MAP to this souk where you can find baskets, carpets, furniture, clothing, handicrafts,jewelry, and many other traditional handicrafts.

SkyWatch: 28 Winding Steps Sculpture

Works by German artist Ottmar Hollmann are among my favorites of the sculptures that grace the landscape of the city of Jeddah.  Hollman made several out of cast alloy with elegant etched detailing adorning them.  This piece is called "28 Winding Steps" and is supposed to denote the various phases of human life.  Topping this sculpture are a crescent moon as well as an astrolabe, a nod to Arab achievements in the field of science.  In fact, this artwork was inspired by The Book of Healing, the standard of medical texts used at medieval institutes of higher learning.  This book was penned by Avicenna, a Persian Renaissance man.  Leonardo da Vinci was perhaps the most famous Renaissance man, which is a person who possesses vast knowledge on a variety of subjects.   

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Old Jeddah: Yemeni Handi-Crafts

These are popular knickknacks sold here.  They are modeled after the Yemeni style houses and come in a variety of sizes.  CLICK HERE FOR A MAP to the Turkish-Afghani souk of Old Jeddah where this photo was taken.

Jeddah: Gold Souk Window

Gold is a popular commodity here in Jeddah, and there are many areas which offer gold souks.  Shop after shop, one right after the other, sell gold by weight.  Gold is often given to a bride as a wedding gift and is also given as part of her dowry.  This particular shop is in the Turkish-Afghani souk in Old Jeddah.  CLICK HERE FOR A MAP to this souk. 

Our World: Cool Lighting

Is there anything cooler than Moroccan style lighting?

CLICK HERE for the link to a map of the location of Old Jeddah's Turkish and Afghani souk.

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Jeddah: Sidewalk Bulk Spices

Chilis, seeds, spices, beans - all available in bulk on the streets of Jeddah.  This photo was taken in the Turkish-Afghani souk area of Old Jeddah.  CLICK HERE FOR A MAP to this colorful and fascinating shopping area of the city.

Saudi Arabia: Guy Fawkes Mask

I am surprised daily by surreal visions that I don't necessarily expect to see here in strict and staunchly religious Saudi Arabia.  This street vendor was offering Guy Fawkes masks for sale. 

Jeddah: Beautiful Door Binzagr Gallery

Carved of wood with intricate detailing, this is another beautiful doorway of the Darat Safeya Binzagr Museum and Art Gallery of Jeddah. The building itself which houses the museum is a wonderful example of Middle Eastern architectural details.  On display at the museum are the Saudi female artist's paintings and her amazing collection of traditional clothing and accessories.

This gem of a private museum is tucked away in Jeddah off the beaten path, near Tahiliya and Madinah Roads.  For more information, visit their website by CLICKING HERE.  

SkyWatch: Jeddah Compound Living

Many expats who come to Saudi Arabia to work prefer to live in gated and guarded communities called compounds.  Many compounds offer recreational facilities and activities, shops, and restaurants within their walls.  In Jeddah, there is a shortage for this type of housing and most compounds have very long waiting lists to get in. Because of all the extra amenities they offer, this housing comes at a premium cost.  Many expats negotiate to have housing included in their work contracts. 

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Old Jeddah: Dried Fish

The Turkish-Afghani souk area of Jeddah is loaded with interesting shops which sell everything from furniture and carpets to traditional clothing and jewelry, and everything in between.  Lighting, baskets, and other handicrafts are abundant, making this a colorful place that is a shopper's delight. 

CLICK HERE FOR A MAP to the Turkish-Afghani souk of Old Jeddah.

Jeddah: Entrance Doorway Binzagr Gallery

This is the lovely entrance to the Binzagr Art Gallery of Jeddah.  The door is flanked by two large scenic tile murals which I have featured on previous posts: 

Our World: Blind Old Man

While visiting the Turkish and Afghani souk area down in Old Jeddah, I captured this quiet old man resting, sitting on a rock.  Although weather worn, his clothes are clean and he seems well cared for.  In his hand he is holding a few riyals, given to him by passersby.

CLICK HERE for the link to a map of the location of Old Jeddah's Turkish and Afghani souk.

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.

Jeddah Barber: Saloon Turkey

Old Jeddah Handicrafts Souk

The Turkish and Afghani souk area of Old Jeddah is a colorful and fascinating place with wares such as textiles, furniture, baskets and other home accessories, and jewelry.

CLICK HERE FOR A MAP to Old Jeddah's Turkish and Afghani souk.

Jeddah: Shade or Not

I don't know how comfortable I'd feel purchasing the warmed produce sitting out in the sun from these street vendors.  Yet they are a thriving business and are located everywhere here in Jeddah...

Jeddah: Shopping at Open Air Market

One can't help but be amazed at the amount of fresh produce at the big outdoor fruit and vegetable market.  My husband loves to bargain with the vendors to get the lowest price he can.  The fresh produce is sold in bulk quantities and is considerably cheaper than food prices in the US.

CLICK HERE for a map showing the location of the big Jeddah fresh produce market: located in east Jeddah in the Al Safa District between Briman and Tahliyah.

Saudi Arabia: Corner Villa Gates

I don't think I've ever seen a private villa here in Jeddah that isn't surrounded by high walls with big gates.  This is done for privacy so that the women of the house can go out into the narrow outside area without having to put on their abayas (long black cloaks) and scarves.  Despite this, many Saudi women never spend any time outdoors and as a result suffer from a variety of maladies, ranging from depression to various cancers to diabetes. 

Saudi Arabia: Artisan Jeweler

A silversmith is on hand to demonstrate his talents at the annual festival of culture and heritage in Riyadh called Janadriyah.  Many artisans displayed their skills in such dying arts as basket weaving and woodworking. I published a post on my other blog with a slideshow of photos from this year's event, which was held in April.  CLICK HERE to see it.

Janadriyah: Saudi Artisan Basket Weaver

This is another basket weaver artisan at work, demonstrating his skills at the Janadriyah Festival, which is a celebration of culture and heritage held every year in Riyadh.  I published a post on my other blog with a slideshow of photos from this year's event, which was held in April.  CLICK HERE to see it.

Jeddah: Fresh Bulk Garlic

The big open air fruit and vegetable market in Jeddah is such an interesting place.  It supplies all the local restaurants and groceries with fresh produce from around the region.  Prices are very reasonable and if you like to bargain, this is the place.

Click HERE for a map showing the location of the big Jeddah fresh produce market: located in east Jeddah in the Al Safa District between Briman and Tahliyah.

Janadriyah: Basket Maker

Artisans of the old arts and trades are featured at Janadriyah, the yearly celebration of culture and heritage held in Riyadh.  These arts are dying here in Saudi Arabia.  I published a post on my other blog with a slideshow of photos from this year's event, which was held in April.  CLICK HERE to see it.

Janadriyah Flower Power

This is a handmade flower headband sold at the annual Janadriyah Festival in Riyadh.  I just published a post on my other blog that has a slideshow of photos from this year's event, which was held in April.  CLICK HERE to see it.

SkyWatch: Pretty Minaret

Another pretty mosque minaret for this Friday, which is also the holy day of the week when Muslims all try to make it the mosque for noontime prayers.




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Shootin' the Breeze

I love taking these candid shots at Jeddah's biggest fresh produce market.  It is a huge shaded market offering fresh fruits and vegetables from the surrounding region.  This market supplies the fresh produce to most local restaurants and grocery stores.

CLICK HERE for a map showing the location of the big Jeddah fresh produce market: located in east Jeddah in the Al Safa District between Briman and Tahliyah.

Saudi Artisan: Wood Bowl Carver

The Janadriyah Festival is a cultural heritage festival held every year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  This year the festival attracted a record high six million visitors during the month of April - and I was one of them!  I was fortunate that I happened to be in Riyadh and attended with my fellow blogger and friend, Layla who, like me, writes two blogs about living in Saudi Arabia:  Blue Abaya and her photo blog, Images of Saudi. 

Traditional handicrafts are a fading art in Saudi Arabia, however there are still some artisans who try to keep the trades alive. The man in this post is a wood carver and his specialty is bowls.  Here are some other articles about the Janadriyah Festival.

Arab News: A Record 6 Million Visit Janadriyah Festival


Splendid Arabia: Janadriyah and the Festival of Heritage

Arab News:  Traditional handmade headbands set trend at Janadriyah Festival

Blue Abaya: Expats Guide to Janadriyah

Blue Abaya: Why I love Janadriyah

Blue Abaya: Top Ten Things to do at Janadriyah 

Today is the first of the month, which means it's theme day for City Daily Photo bloggers.  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 "The Creative Artisan"  

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