Jeddah Ashley Furniture in Arabic

It's always surprising to see how many large chain stores are here in Saudi Arabia.  I didn't expect to see Ashley Furniture here in Jeddah, but it is!

Saudi National Day Decorations

Saudi National Day is a newer holiday celebrated on September 23.  For many years, the only two holiday celebrations that were allowed in Saudi Arabia were religious holidays - one to mark the end of the annual religious pilgrimmage called Hajj and the other to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the religious observance when Muslims fast during the daylight hours.  

It's nice to see festive decorations around the city to mark these holidays, which now include Saudi National Day.  Green tends to be the prominent color for this holiday, since it's the color of the Saudi flag. 

Our World: Unlicensed Use of Graphics

The unauthorized use of graphics is a rampant issue here in Saudi Arabia.  I see images on business signs like the one above everywhere.  As a blogger, I have this problem with my photos being used by businesses and magazines without my permission.  I think this is probably a worldwide problem at this point, but it sure is discouraging to find my photos being used to promote businesses without my authorization or any compensation.




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Saudi Arabia - Art in Abha

The city of Abha is rich in cultural heritage and is located in the southwestern corner of Saudi Arabia.  Even though it is located close to the Red Sea, its elevation is more than a mile high in a mountainous region of the country.  The city is abundant with art everywhere one turns.

To learn more about Abha and to see more photos of its architecture and art, PLEASE CLICK HERE to read a recent post I wrote about it on my other blog, Susie of Arabia. 

Thanks to my friend Vicki Callagan for the use of her photos from her recent trip to Abha for this post.

Jeddah Stationary Business

Many businesses here in Saudi Arabia go overboard with TMI and too much visual...I guess my preference would be for neat and uncluttered.

Jeddah Interesting Architecture

There is a lot going on with this complicated linear architectural design of this modern building in Jeddah.  I tend to think of modern design as simple and clean but this one seems rather busy for modern design.

SkyWatch - Jeddah Tented Mall

This building is a mall with a tented rooftop.  These special roofs are made of a fiberglass fabric with a teflon coating of fluorocarbon resin, originally invented by NASA to withstand extreme hot temperatures.

There are many structures in Saudi Arabia that have these tented roofs, including the current Jeddah airport's open air Hajj Terminal, which provide much needed shade as well as reflecting 75% of the solar radiation. The special design of the terminal, which has open sides (no walls) and openings at the top of each tent point, also promotes cirulation of air flow which cools the air.  In Mecca there are similar large structures covered with tented roofs to accommodate thousands of religious pilgrims.


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Mislabeled Product Packaging

I always get a kick out of misspellings here in Saudi Arabia on signs, menus, or products and have featured posts about that many times on my blog. This one is not misspelled but it caught my eye because the actual product is a set of lid handles - but it is clearly marked at the top of the package as "Spatula Set." This was in a 5 Riyal store, where most of the products come from China.  

Saudi Arabia - Female Driver!

This past summer, women finally were given the right to drive legally in Saudi Arabia.  It was a huge step for progress and a momentous occasion.  Saudi Arabia was the last country in the world to allow females to drive.  Many of my friends have gotten their drivers licenses, although I haven't gotten mine yet.  Word from the king was there would be no harassment of women drivers, and for the most part, the transition has gone smoothly.  

Our World - Traveling in Style

Traditional Saudi dress is often worn by businessmen when working or traveling and by some men all the time.  The red and white checkered scarf worn by Saudi men is called "shemagh" and the black ring worn to hold it in place on the head is called "egal."  The white headscarf is known as "ghotra," while the name for the white dress worn is "thobe."

Thank you to my friend Jessica O'Kelly for allowing me to use this terrific photo she took while she was boarding a flight recently in Abha.




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 Toy Store

This Jeddah toy store recently got a new look, with eye catching bright colored blocks across the front exterior of the building.  It's logo above the door mimics the well known Toys R Us logo.

Jeddah Architectural Details

I'm not sure I like the mix of the stone look with the geometric detailing of this building in Jeddah.  Actually I've seen much worse combinations than this -  What do you think? 

Saudi Arabia - The Unexpected

Saudi Arabia is a dry country - and by that I mean alchohol is strictly forbidden by law.  That's why it's always surprising to come across products such as this - a set of glass beer mugs, with graphics on the packaging clearly showing bubbly golden colored beer with a foam head.  The set of two mugs can be yours for the low low price of only 5 riyals, which is about $1.25 US. 

I thought this would be a good post for today since it is my birthday.  Cheers! 

SkyWatch: Jeddah Sculpture, The Bicycle

The famous Jeddah sculpture, The Bicycle, was relocated in 2015 to a new spot in the same intersection where it had stood since 1982.  Its old home used to be in the center of a huge traffic roundabout.  Many of the roundabouts in Jeddah have been dismantled in the past few years in an attempt to resolve horrible traffic issues.  The roundabouts have been replaced with bridge overpasses, tunnels, or regular intersections.

The Bicycle stands 15 meters tall and is made of scrap iron.  It was the creation of Spanish sculptor and architect Julio Lafuente.  It is believed to be the largest bicycle in the world.


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Saudi Arabia Under Armour in Arabic

In Arabic - Here is another well known brand, Under Armour, with a store in a local Jeddah mall.  

Jeddah Funky Style

This sign is for a restaurant that serves gyros and other tasty food - but what in the heck is that stalactite looking decor for up above the sign?  I've seen other businesses in Jeddah with similar cave decor - I'm not sure I get the connection to this restaurant.

Our World - Jeddah Religious Pilgrim

Seeing religious pilgrims around Jeddah is a fairly common sight.  Because Jeddah is the main gateway to two of Islam's holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. Religious pilgrims travel to Mecca to perform Hajj or Omra, and many of them desire to travel to Medina as well.  Jeddah lies between those two cities.

On every flight going to Jeddah, it is not unusual to notice at a certain point in the flight that several passengers have changed into the clothing worn by male pilgrims.  They wear nothing but two large pieces of plain heavy white cloth. The fabric has no shape, no buttons, snaps, or zippers to hold anything in place. One piece of cloth is wrapped around their lower half and the other is draped across their top half. All the male pilgrims are dressed the same.




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.

Saudi Arabia "VIP" Businesses

Many businesses in Jeddah make use of the term "VIP" on their signs and windows.  The first picture shows the sign for a men's barber shop.  Practically every barber shop in Jeddah has "VIP" written somewhere on their shop. 

Here are some more examples of "VIP" businesses in Jeddah - above is a hookah shop that has a big "VIP" right on the door.   Like barber shops, most hookah shops also display "VIP" somewhere on their shops.

The coffee shop above has capitalizd on the VIP phenomenon too.  The problem is that the term "VIP" has lost its meaning here in Saudi Arabia, as so many businesses use it in their advertising and signs.

I have no idea what type of VIP business is in the above photo, however below is yet another hookah shop (red sign) that has turned the "P" in "VIP" into a hookah.  Clever.

Saudi Traditional Architectural Style

Traditional Saudi architecture varies from region to region. This is a newer restaurant in Jeddah that has architectural details like I have seen down south in the Najran region, bordering Yemen.  The influence of Yemen's architectural style is evident in this part of Saudi Arabia. 

Closed Sign in Arabic

Thank goodness most signs here in Saudi Arabia are written in both Arabic and English. 

SkyWatch: Saudi National Day Celebration Fireworks

September 23rd was Saudi National Day, in commemoration of the 1932 unification of the kingdoms of Nejd and Hijaz under the same umbrella of Saudi Arabia.  This year the celebration was extended to 4 days by order of the king.  Celebrating National Day is a relatively new thing for the citizens of Saudi Arabia.  For many years, the only allowed celebrations were two religious holidays - one at the end of Ramadan and the other at the end of Hajj.

We have become old fuddy duddies, so we try to avoid large crowds like those on holidays or weekends.  So today's photo was taken from the comfort of our building's rooftop.


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Jeddah Grocery Store Scene

This is just a very typical scene in a Saudi supermarket. It's not unusual to see men wearing a variety of clothing - from the traditional Saudi dress, to western clothing, to uniforms, to native dress typical in other countries.  While women all wear abayas, abayas have gotten much more colorful and diverse than ten short years ago.  

Jeddah Street Vendor

I'm drawn to these street vendors in Jeddah who sell a wide variety of fresh produce. I love how many of them set up a colorful umbrella for protection from the hot sun and spread out a carpet where they can sit and wait for customers.  

Our World - Saudi Style Serving

Hi Y'all!  I can't believe I have taken such a long break this year.  I recently returned to Saudi Arabia after spending a very busy summer in the USA.  Did you miss me?

This photo is of a gift I received from my husband's lovely sister.  It is a large platter shaped basket (about 2 feet across), covered with the red and white checkered scarf that Saudi men wear.  The smaller accompanying cups are made to be little Saudi characters holding baskets.  Handicrafts such as this are becoming very popular and more commonly found. I love finding things like this to take back to my family and friends as souvenirs.

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.