Saturday, April 29, 2017

Saudi Faceless Women


I still don't understand the inconsistency with which this type of censorship is applied here in Saudi Arabia. It's so random that I feel it must be attributed to each individual company's policies and not necessarily a government agency.  The faceless women in advertisements sometimes even includes children's faces and men's faces as well, but most often it's only applied to women. The mannequins here in Saudi Arabia, however, are all consistently headless. There are no statues of entire people or living things (body parts are allowed though) and I believe the reason for this is religious, regarding worship of idols being prohibited.  

Friday, April 28, 2017

SkyWatch: Jeddah Corniche Highrises


Modern architectural styles in Saudi Arabia often feature curves, cut outs, and blue glass. These two residential buildings along Jeddah's Corniche offer gorgeous views 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.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Saudi Arabia - Steve Madden in Arabic


Saudi malls are filled with the same types of stores like everywhere else in the world.  Here is a Steve Madden shop in a mall in Jeddah.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Saudi Phone Covers



Many Saudi Arabia shops are stocked with items made in China, like these phone cases.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Our World: Jeddah Night Scenes


Typical night scenes in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.


Not one woman in sight - actually I was the only one, out walking with my husband.


Saudi Arabia is definitely a man's world.




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Sunday, April 23, 2017

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Jeddah Unfinished Building's Gate


A pretty wrought iron entry gate contrasts with the building's unfinished exterior in Jeddah.  

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Jeddah: Kalimah Brand


I always look for Saudi gifts with Arabic calligraphic script on them, like this scarf from Kalimah Brand.  

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Our World: Tommy Hilfiger in Arabic


I like showing well known logos translated into Arabic. This one is for Tommy Hilfiger, one of many world renowned designers who sell their wares in Saudi Arabia.



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.

Monday, April 17, 2017

Jeddah: Busy Mosque at Night


A neighborhood mosque's minaret is lit up in green at dusk.  Many minarets are illuminated with green lighting.  

Sunday, April 16, 2017

Saudi Arabia: Shop Window Worthy?


I'm often surprised at the women's fashions I see in the shop windows here in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.


The black and white number above has way too much going on - a hi-lo hemline, black open netting weaved fabric, with a busy lace trim topped off with a totally unflattering black and white polka ruffle extending down each side. I just have to wonder what was the designer thinking - and who on earth would buy this?


And sometimes I have to find fault with the window dressers themselves.  Here in Saudi Arabia, most of the ones I've seen are expat men, many of whom seem to have questionable fashion taste.

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Jeddah: Chic Home Decor


It's fascinating to me to see items like this for sale in Saudi Arabia, especially when there seems to be a problem with displaying living creatures as a whole. There are no statues of people to be found and sculptures that feature animals, like camels or horses, are never shown in their entirety. I've been told that it has something to do with preventing idolatry...

Friday, April 14, 2017

SkyWatch: Jeddah Pink Building at Dusk


Even though it could use a paint job, I like the color of this building against the lit up early evening sky.


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.

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Jeddah: Mikyajy Cosmetics Shop


Laws in Saudi Arabia were changed several years ago to allow for female employees to staff women oriented stores, such as lingerie and cosmetics shops.  Until then, women in this conservative country were forced to purchase intimate apparel from male salesclerks.  

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Saudi Arabia: Applebee's in Arabic


Applebee's is a well known chain restaurant with outlets in Saudi Arabia.  I love comparing the English language logo with the Arabic one.  

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Our World: Jeddah, Jewel of the Red Sea


Jeddah is the largest seaport on the Red Sea. It is the gateway to the holiest cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina, which are located in the Hejaz Province in western Saudi Arabia.  Because of its location on the Red Sea, Jeddah is also a very popular tourist and resort destination for Saudis.  It is also billed as the most open city in the Kingdom, likely because of the millions of religious pilgrims who enter the country by way of Jeddah and is also referred to as the Jewel of the Red Sea.



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.

Monday, April 10, 2017

Jeddah: Henna Beard


It is not uncommon to see Muslim men with bright red hennaed beards or hair here in Saudi Arabia. Henna is also used by women to color their hair or as a temporary dye on the skin of the hands and arms in intricate designs to celebrate marriage.  Since henna is not permanent, it is approved for use according to Islam.   

Sunday, April 9, 2017

Jeddah: Red Door and White Cat


A red metal door with a lock hanging on it and a white cat waiting for its owner to come home - in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  

Saturday, April 8, 2017

Jeddah: Metal Door


Metal doors like this one are a very common sight in Saudi Arabia.  They are painted in different colors, and are often rusted with age and time.  I have to admit, I have a thing for them and find a certain beauty in them.

Friday, April 7, 2017

SkyWatch: Jeddah Chuck E Cheese in Arabic


Chuck E. Cheese is a popular family pizza restaurant and arcade entertainment center known for hosting birthday parties for kids.  There are several locations in Jeddah.


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.


Thursday, April 6, 2017

Jeddah: Holiday Decorations


These holiday decorations graced a mall in Jeddah to celebrate one of the two recognized holidays in Saudi Arabia - one to mark the end of Ramadan and the other which marks the end of Hajj.

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Our World: Prayer Time


Muslims are required to pray five times per day. Many times it is not always possible to pray at home or at a mosque, so many facilities, like malls or workplaces, provide prayer areas. Before prayer, Muslims must wash up in the way prescribed by Islam. The men in the photo above are performing this cleansing ritual before prayer which is called "Wudu."


This is a carpeted outdoor prayer area at the Yanbu Flower Festival.  Prayer carpets are patterned with rows or individual spaces for worshippers and are laid out facing the direction of Mecca, the holiest city of Islam that Muslims face during prayer.




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.

Monday, April 3, 2017

Saudi Arabia: Guess that Logo


Can you guess this well known logo of a purse designer business translated into Arabic?  Look below for the answer.



Sunday, April 2, 2017

Jeddah: Fast Food Restaurant


A woman in a patterned abaya places her order at the counter of a local fast food restaurant located in a gas station plaza in north Jeddah.  

Saturday, April 1, 2017

CDP Theme Day: Wet


This is one of the floral islands of the new pool and fountain addition at the 11th annual Yanbu Flowers and Gardens Festival going on now through April 7th.  The family event attracts thousands of visitors each year and has grown in popularity since its inception.

City Daily Photo is an online community of photo bloggers that share images of life in their cities around the world.  The first of every month is Theme Day for City Daily Photo bloggers.  This month's theme is "Wet."

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