REMNANTS OF RAMADAN

 

Johnson in Arabic

My maiden name is Johnson, so I always get a kick out of businesses I see around Jeddah with the name Johnson.  It's cool to see it spelled out in Arabic.

TRANSLATING TO ENGLISH

A Jeddah pasta restaurant calls itself "Macroni" in English

Paper floormat from the dealership got the word "appreciate" wrong, omitting both the R & T

On the right, "Enterance" seems ok and makes sense

No misspelling here, just a pretty exterior mall pic

 

END OF RAMADAN

Another Ramadan ends today. Eid Mubarak to all my Muslim friends!

Dates are often eaten to break the fast at the end of the day during Ramadan.

During Ramadan many shops are closed during the day, they but do a thriving business at night.

 

VARIOUS ARCHITECTURE IN JEDDAH

I call this "Royalty Loyalty" - many businesses declare their loyalty to the kingdom in this manner

Rather plain architecturally, but the blue design packs a punch

Common business architectural design in Jeddah for buildings

 

AT A JEDDAH MALL

I like the festive banners in this shop.

Can you spot the employee in the photo above? She's rather hard to see, but she's right in the middle of the pic.  

Whimsical Ramadan decor at a local mall

 

WHAT HAPPENS DURING PRAYER TIME

When smaller kiosks close for prayer times or non-business hours, many of them simply cover up and drape their merchandise with large cloths. 

It's common to see workers pray outside shops in malls. Often prayer rugs are available for whoever wants to use them. 

Thievery is rare in Saudi Arabia, where penalties can be very stiff. Most people in this country are honest and respectful of others' property.

Another worker praying in public

 

NIGHT LIGHTS OF JEDDAH

 

DECKED OUT FOR RAMADAN

 The familiar red Ramadan banners hang in front of many businesses during Ramadan.

GINORMOUS INCENSE BURNERS

Many malls and businesses have huge incense burners like these, measuring well over three feet tall and filling the air with delicious scents.

 

SIGNS AROUND JEDDAH

 

JEDDAH SCENES AROUND THE CITY

 

AROUND TOWN - COLORFUL JEDDAH

Toy store

Purple gas station

Tiny shop that has everything!

 

MINI MARTS SIGNS

New signage rules in Jeddah have made signs around the city more uniform. Many smaller grocery stores now sport a shamrock green background, yellow shopping cart, and white lettering. It does make it easier to spot shops like these when one is looking for them. 

 

LEGO IN ARABIC

 

New Styles for Business Signage

Jeddah looks a little different since I returned. Many businesses along main roads have been required to replace their signage by the municipality.  Actually the new requirements for business signs look better and are more uniform.  The signs look more uniform and cleaner than the old style panel signs that are backlit by white fluorescent lights, like the one below on the right.

AMAZON IN ARABIA

 Besides the familiar Amazon of online shopping fame, Saudi Arabia is also home to other businesses called Amazon. There is a pet shop chain called Amazon and now there is a 5 riyal store chain called Amazon too.  Well, it's actually 5.75 riyals. Loaded with all kinds of products from food to housewares to cleaning supplies, there are great deals to be made.

SIGNS AROUND JEDDAH

ROYALTY LOYALTY

A SAUDI COUPLE SHOPS FOR PHONE ACCESSORIES

GRAPHICS HELP TO DISCERN THE TYPE OF BUSINESS

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