Our World - Jeddah Supermarket

A Saudi man shops with his young son in a modern supermarket in Jeddah. 




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Saudi Arabia - Roshan Window Coverings

An old architectural detail of buildings in Jeddah are the distinctive wooden window coverings, called Roshan (singular) or Rawasheen (plural).  They provide privacy but are also functional as they are vented to allow for air flow.  Many newer buildings in Jeddah feature the Roshan as a purely decorative feature.

Jeddah - Blue Gate

Big iron gates like this one are a common sight in Saudi Arabia.  Private residences are all surrounded by soaring walls for privacy. 

Jeddah Businesses

In Saudi Arabia it is common to find similar competing businesses in the same areas.  I guess it's easier to comparison shop that way, but it also might be inconvenient if those types of businesses are not located near you.  Of the 4 businesses shown here, two are oud shops (incense and perfumes) and the other two sell beds. 

SkyWatch: Jeddah's International Medical Center

This is Jeddah's beautiful International Medical Center.  It opened for business in 2006 and has 300 beds that accommodate patients in over 30 specialties.  The beautiful architecture was the design of a famed architect of the region, Dr. Sami Angawi.


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Saudi Arabia - Bare Chested Men

In a country where women must appear in public covering everything except their hands and face, and where even women's faces on advertising or in magazines are often censored with black markers, men are held to different standards.

Gyms for men in Saudi Arabia often feature large photos of bare chested men to attract customers.  It's a difficult to understand cultural contradiction.

Jeddah - Hi-Rises

Our World: Saudi Arabia - Unexpected

Although I've lived in Saudi Arabia for 9 years now, there are still many things that seem contrary to the culture or the religion, or certainly to the reputation of this ultra religious country.  I think I would probably be miffed if I saw this display in a mall shop's window in the USA, but to see it in Saudi Arabia was, well,  jaw-dropping.

 

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Jeddah - Modern Architecture

Jeddah - Architecture

Jeddah - Blue Glass Hi-Rise

Jeddah - Mall Window Displays

These Jeddah mall shop window displays were decorated in a winter holiday theme, something that is rare for this country.

There are only 2 recognized holidays in Saudi Arabia, and both are related to Islam. 

One holiday is celebrated after Hajj, the annual religious pilgrimage to Mecca, and the other follows Ramadan, the month when Muslims fast during the daytime.

SkyWatch - Swords of God Sculpture

Jeddah is well known for its many public sculptures that grace the city's streets for all to enjoy.  This sculpture is called the Swords of God.


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Jeddah - Hookah Shop

This shop in Jeddah sells hookahs and everything that goes with them, including "Tabacoo."

Saudi Arabia - Deli Dishes

These are very typical prepared vegetable dishes sold by the kilo that are available in the deli sections of most supermarkets in Saudi Arabia.  Many of these dishes are pickled.

Our World - Saudi Toilet Signs

I love taking photos of the signs for men's and women's toilets here in Saudi Arabia.  I like the graphics.

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Jeddah - Lighting Shops

Frequently shops in Saudi Arabia that offer the same services or sell the same products are located in the same area , one after the other, right next door to each other.

Saudi Arabia - Modern Supermarket

Supermarkets in Saudi Arabia are very similar to supermarkets in the west, however one cannot find any pork products or alcoholic beverages, as these items are strictly forbidden within the country.

Arabic - More Fun Fonts

Here are a few more fun Arabic fonts for you ...

Arabic script has similar qualities to English lettering in cursive, such as having a baseline and letters that join up or attach to one another.

It seems as though Arabic actually has two different forms of writing like we do in English with cursive and print.  I

SkyWatch - Saudi Wedding Hall

Weddings are a huge business in Saudi Arabia, as in many places around the world.  Fancy wedding halls abound, with elegant decor, lighting, and dramatic staircases.  The weddings I have attended usually are segregated by gender and generally there are no men in sight, except when the groom and maybe his father make an appearance in the wee hours of the morning.  When that happens, the women in attendance rush to slip into their abayas and veils so they are covered up properly.

 
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Jeddah - Typical Street Scene

A typical busy street scene in Jeddah...

Arabic - More Font Styles

Here are some more font styles for your enjoyment.  I especially like the style of the one on the above right with the double lines in it.

Arabic script reads from the right to the left.  The blue sign above has a font that leans slightly toward the left ...

... while the font in the blue sign in this photo leans slightly toward the right.

Our World: Arabic Font Styles

Today I thought I would show you a variety of Arabic font styles shown through business signs in Jeddah.

I don't know why the blue sign has such extended lines in its font, while the other signs in this photo don't.

I love the fiery font on this black sign for a shawarma restaurant!




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Laborers in Saudi

These men are likely laborers who are waiting for a job to come along.  Most days certain streets are lined with workers looking for jobs.

Jeddah - Construction Site

This is a typical apartment building construction site in Saudi Arabia.

Jeddah - New Construction

New construction is booming in north Jeddah. 

SkyWatch: Riyadh Architecture

Another cool building in the capital city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.


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Riyadh: Cool Architecture

This is a cool looking building in Riyadh. Modern architectural structures like this are located all over the country.

Saudi Arabia: Graceful Minaret

Mosques minarets in Saudi Arabia are varied in design.  This one is very graceful and has an Asian feel to it.