Jeddah: Abandoned Taxi

There continues to be a huge problem with the streets of Jeddah being occupied with abandoned vehicles that are wrecked or disabled.  Every time it rains in the city of Jeddah, there is severe flooding of the streets and tunnels, which causes another increase in the number of automobiles abandoned in the streets.  This has been a noticeable problem for as long as I have live in Jeddah since 2007. The municipality has attempted to alleviate the problem, without success, because the next time it rains, the problem multiplies yet again.  

Popular Saudi King

King Abdullah has been a very popular, respected, fair and beloved king of Saudi Arabia.   He is 88 years old now and became the 6th king of Saudi Arabia in 2005.  For the ten years prior to that, he was in fact the de facto ruler of the kingdom when he assumed the position after ruling King Fahd (his half brother) suffered a debilitating stroke.  He has served his country all his life and his first official public appointment was as Mayor of Makkah in 1961.  An official title of the king is "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques."

While the rest of the world may view social progress in the kingdom as extraordinarily slow, King Abdullah is known as a champion of women's rights.  I have been quite amazed at the progress just in the short time I have lived here since 2007.  Despite health concerns and amid false reports of his death, the king persists in his goal to give women the opportunities they have long been denied in this society. 

King Abdullah's photo can be seen in this country everywhere - on buildings, businesses, billboards, and vehicles. 

SkyWatch: Lilac Chevy Tahoe

I like showing things from Saudi Arabia that might not be expected. I think a bright lilac colored Chevy Tahoe with matching colored wheel rims qualifies. The only thing is, the woman who likely owns this vehicle is not allowed to drive it, as women are forbidden to drive here.

UPDATE JUNE 2018 - I'd love to see the woman who owns this vehicle driving it herself around Jeddah now, as women have finally been given the green light to drive in Saudi Arabia - the last country in the world to grant women the right to drive. 


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