Riyadh: Stained Glass

A beautiful and huge stained glass wall of windows dominates the ambiance in a cultural heritage building in Riyadh.  It features the Saudi flag and Saudi landscape.  This picture doesn't do it justice nor does it give an idea of its size, but it is really spectacular in person.  Happy New Year from Saudi Arabia, everyone!

Jeddah: Red Sea Mall Interior

Saudi Arabia is known for its malls and high end shopping.  This is an interior shot of the beautiful Red Sea Mall in Jeddah.

Calligraphy Design Top

Arabic calligraphy enhances this two tone ladies top from Kalimah Brand shop, located on the lower level of the Red Sea Mall.  They offer a wide variety of Arabic themed clothing.  My friend bought this top and it looks amazing on her!

Lion on the Menu

This photo was taken of a restaurant menu in Jeddah.  I'll have the Striplion Steak, please!

Red Lobster and Friday's Logos in Arabic

Red Lobster and Friday are two worldwide chain that have locations in Saudi Arabia.  Here you can see how their logos appear in Arabic. 

Halla Bint Khalid's Book Characters

These are life sized characters I saw at a display for Halla bint Khalid Children's Books.  While trying to figure out what she wanted to do when she grew up, Halla discovered that she had artistic abilities - and she never looked back.  Her career as an author really took off when she began writing and illustrating the stories she used to tell her own children.  Most of her books are available in both Arabic and English and many of her stories were inspired by her kids.  Her whimsical and colorful characters are very appealing to children and adults alike.

You can Like Halla bint Khalid on Facebook, or check out her website by clicking here. 

Typical Saudi Welcome Display

When one enters the home of a Saudi family, most often there is a table which bears various items to welcome the guest - decorative items as well as functional, like a tissue box, a hairbrush, a mirror, and sometimes even perfume. 

Jeddah: Red Sea Mall Fountain

This is the fountain that greets customers at the main entrance of the Red Sea Mall, one of Jeddah's most popular shopping centers. 

Jeddah: Obstacles to Traffic Flow

I've written many times complaining about the traffic congestion in Jeddah. This city is very long and narrow, running for miles and miles along the Red Sea Coast, yet not stretching very wide across.  Many of the streets are blocked off with pylons like this, making right turns, left turns, or U-turns impossible.  Roads are blocked everywhere all over Jeddah.  Traffic flows fairly well north to south, but the problems arise when you need to turn left or turn around.  Vehicles are forced to go miles and miles beyond where they need to go in order to make a left turn or a U-turn.  This means that cars are on the roads creating more traffic congestion than is necessary.  It wastes everyone's time and gas.

Traffic flow continues to be a major problem for the residents of Jeddah.  I have never seen such flawed thought and poor planning of roadways in any city I have ever seen. 

Jeddah: Lovely Lamp

I would fill my home with lamps like these if I could.  I saw this one at the Afghani Souk in Jeddah. I love the images it makes on the wall too.

Arab Style Bobble Heads

In recent years, there are many more souvenirs products available than there were previously.  Pictured here are some Arab style bobble heads.  They also come in salt and pepper shakers and piggy banks.

Khanjar Shirt

Kalimah Brand offers really unique and lovely Middle Eastern themed items in their shop located on the lower level of the Red Sea Mall.   This top features the traditional curved dagger called khanjar which is well known in Saudi Arabia but actually originated in Oman.  I saw many men openly wearing these daggers hanging from their belts when I traveled down to Najran in southern Saudi Arabia. In other areas the khanjar would be worn for special ceremonies, like maybe weddings. 

Not Just Black Any More

Abayas are not just black any more!  It's refreshing to see colorful abayas here in Saudi Arabia now. I loved seeing this one in a pale pink. 

Jeddah: Colorful Street Scene

Colorful street scene in Jeddah.

Jeddah Street Scene

Just a typical street scene here in Jeddah.

Saudi Home Interior

True Saudi homes have at least two separate entrances and two separate living rooms for entertaining guests - one for men and the other for women.  Saudi taste in furnishings for the entertaining areas leans toward more  formal and classic  Persian carpets and elegant chandeliers are also favorites in Saudi homes. 

Many homes also have another family living room in another area of the home where the family gathers together at their leisure. It is not uncommon to also have two separate kitchens as well.  I have been in Saudi homes with 4-5 living rooms. 

CDP Theme Day: Shop Window

Abayas - the long black cloaks that women in Saudi Arabia must wear - don't have to be just black any more!

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 "Shop Window."  

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