SkyWatch: Green Rawasheen

The wooden lattice window coverings called rawasheen are a unique feature of Jeddah's architecture. The rawasheen allows for privacy and air flow.  They are painted a variety of colors, mostly in blues and greens.

 


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Abu Zaid Restaurant

Men in Saudi Arabia are generally not called by their given names, but as the father of their oldest son.  The same goes for women.  So if a couple's oldest son is named Sultan, the father would be called Abu Sultan, and the mother would be called Umm Sultan.  If the children are only daughters, then the oldest daughter's name is used, but only until a male child is born, at which time the parents would be known as the father or mother of the male child.  To those not familiar with this custom or cultural tradition, it may not seem fair and might appear to slight the female children of the family.  Many businesses in Saudi Arabia are also named in this manner. 

Crooked Orange Door

Jeddah's humble beginnings as a small fishing village on the Red Sea more than 1400 years ago are sometimes forgotten with all the frenetically paced construction and changing dynamics of the city. Many of the buildings of Al Balad are cracked and crumbling but are still home to many of the city's poor.  Part of the charm and enchantment of Al Balad are its flaws, like this crooked doorway.

Our World Jeddah: Welcome to the Mosque

As my friends and I were walking the narrow streets of Al Balad, a door to a mosque opened and a man invited us to have look inside.  Mosques usually have a patterned colored carpet with markings for praying individuals to form neat lines to accommodate all worshipers for the five daily prayers. There is also an indicator inside the mosque which points toward Mecca, the direction Muslims must face when prayers are made.
  

 


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Walking in Al Balad

A worker pushes a cart in Al Balad, Jeddah's old part of the city which is home to the old souks where real deals can be found.  I love the traditional green wooden lattice window coverings on this building as well as the brown ones on the building on the left.  They are called rawasheen.

The Real Reason Why I Cannot Drive in Saudi Arabia

This is the video I made for the Women's Driving Campaign movement.  Some people might be shocked at my use - twice - of the "P" word.  But basically it is the real reason why I am denied the right to drive here in this country.

Jeddah: Seating in Al Balad

Outside buildings here in Jeddah, it is not unusual to see furniture strategically placed for seating. Generally men will sit here in the evenings, drinking tea and visiting.  

Jeddah: High Arch Door

I love the dusty blue metal door here.  The decorative high arch above the door seems heavy and too elongated for it.  I still like it though.

SkyWatch: Mountains of Najran

Taken on a recent trip down to Najran, in southern Saudi Arabia just north of the Yemen border, I was taken by the repetition in the shapes of the clouds and the mountain rocks.

 


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Jeddah: Red Rawasheen

The beautiful wooden rawasheen window coverings painted in red are the main attraction of this residential building in Jeddah's Al Balad.

Jeddah: Mosque in Al Balad

I love the palm tress and the mosque minaret in this scene from Al Balad, the oldest district in Jeddah.  

Our World Jeddah: Cat and Door

I love the character of the old buildings in Al Balad, the oldest part of Jeddah, which is more than 1400 years old.  Many of the door frames are crooked - this one actually is not too bad, but still visibly not aligned straight.  Since many of these buildings were built prior to electricity, most have been unsafely wired for electricity.  It is common to hear of buildings in Al Balad destroyed by electrical fires.  Feral cats are plentiful all over Jeddah.  They depend on the kindest of people for food and they are often seen hanging around garbage dumpsters.

 


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Jeddah: Typical Scene

The man wears the typical long white Saudi dress called thobe, and on his head the red and white scarf men wear called shemagh. 

Old Jeddah Door

More special than the wooden door is the detail on the building above the door.  In its heyday, it must have been quite beautiful.  It's too bad that the unsightly tubing and electrical wires detract from its impact.  

Jeddah Street Sign

The beautiful ceramic tile street markers are attached to the corner walls of buildings in the Al Balad section of old Jeddah.  They indicate the street name and district of the city.

SkyWatch: Satellite Dish

It appears as though this entire building may have been painted green at one point.  Despite the crumbling condition of this residence in old Jeddah's Al Balad district, apparently the inhabitants like having their satellite TV.

 


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Carved Door Details

Many of the doors in Jeddah's Al Balad area are carved out of wood.  Some are painted, some are in need of paint, and others are left in a bare wood finish.  Many of the simple latches are also made of wood.  

Building Details

Detail of an older building in Al Balad, the original city center of Jeddah.  I'm not sure if this building is a school or something else. 

Our World: Home Sweet Home

Someone lives here.  The walls are decayed beyond the need for fresh paint any more.  Above the door, the decorative arch is totally open to the hot outside air and never-ending dust.  Crumbling cement  balances precariously above the main entrance to this residence.  Electrical wiring and pipes are visible before the inhabitants even step inside.  Not far from here are the residences of more fortunate people, living in extravagant palaces and expensive villas.  Yet this is home to someone here in Jeddah.  Home sweet home.

 


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Jeddah: Walking in Al Balad

A man in traditional Saudi garb walks along a street of Al Balad, the oldest are of the city of Jeddah.  

Jeddah: Tomato Vendor

I don't know how many thousands of these fresh produce carts I have seen around Jeddah.  They peddle their wares in the hot sun at cheaper prices than one must pay in the air conditioned supermarkets here.  All of these vendors are from other poorer countries in the region.  They come to Saudi Arabia to try to work, wiring much of what they earn back to their families back home.  Most of these foreign laborers live in deplorable conditions, yet they always have a pleasant smile ready.

Old Jeddah

Al Balad, the old historic area of Jeddah.

SkyWatch: Unusual Building Design

Jeddah is a treasure trove of unusual and eclectic architecture.

 


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Care Center for Man

I'm always on the lookout for misspelled signs, grammatical errors, or the written word that is just lost in translation somehow.

Jeddah: Al Balad Building

Jeddah's beginnings can be traced back to 522 BC when it was a small fishing village on the Red Sea.  Soon it flourished as a main stop along the trade routes.  Once Islam took hold in the area, it became even more important because of its location as the gateway to two of Islam's most holiest sites, Mecca and Medina.

Many of the older buildings in Al Balad, the oldest section of Jeddah, were built of local materials which included crushed coral from the Red Sea.  Crushed coral is not exactly the sturdiest of building materials and as a result, many of Jeddah's old buildings are crumbling. 

Our World: Jeddah's Abandoned Cars

One of my biggest pet peeves here in Jeddah are the unsightly abandoned and disabled vehicles that are parked all over the city.  They are covered in a thick layer of dust and many have flat tires or show evidence of accidents. 

It's depressing seeing these unattractive pieces of junk sitting on the streets of Jeddah.

These abandoned cars take up valuable parking spaces.  They need to be dealt with and removed!

I have tons more photos of abandoned vehicles around this city.  Why can't something be done about this problem?

 

Some empty lots are filled with dozens of abandoned cars that have been sitting there for years.  There are also dozens of abandoned cars taking up valuable parking spaces at the Jeddah airport too.

The rubble, the garbage, and the abandoned vehicles - such a lovely sight!  NOT!

 


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Domino's Pizza in Arabic

Jeddah is home to many worldwide business chains.  Domino's Pizza offerings are not exactly the same as one might be able to get in the USA because pork products are strictly prohibited. 

Jeddah: Al Balad Street Scene

This is a typical street scene of the oldest part of Jeddah is called Al Balad. 

Jeddah: Al Balad Door

I have a thing for doors, always have.  I love going down to the old part of Jeddah, called Al Balad, to take photos of the crumbling buildings and the old doors.  This area of the city has so much character, history, and mystery about it. 

SkyWatch: Jeddah Mosque

Jeddah Street Scene with blue skies and puffy clouds. 

 


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Saudi Arabia: Spelling Blooper

I am constantly attracted by the written word, and I get a kick out of seeing spelling and grammar bloopers on signs, menus, and other items.  This sign says "Please keep your pelongings under your observation."

CDP Theme Day: Movement

Many of the narrow streets in Al Balad - the oldest section of Jeddah - are so narrow that they cannot accommodate vehicles.  This scene is from the textile souk, where there is constant activity moving bolts of fabric on man-powered flatbeds from one shop to another.

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 is a different theme that CDP members can participate in.  This month's theme is "Movement."  

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