BEDOUIN STYLE ENTERTAINING

Many Saudi homes have a Bedouin room, used for entertaining and special occasions. This one was decorated for the Eid celebration marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.  

Sweet treats, tea and coffee are generally served to guests 

 

COMFORT FOOD, Away from Home & Family

My favorite meal of the whole year has always been Thanksgiving dinner.  I love turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and all the other foods that accopany this traditional American annual feast.  I love the leftovers too.  Being so far away from my family on this holiday over the years has been difficult. The traditional Thanksgiving feast is the epitome of comfort food for me.  Comfort food is the theme for this month's City Daily Photo first of the month post.  

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Saudi Arabia - We Three Kings

This was a display at a recent celebratory art event for Saudi Arabian National Day which was last week. Many works of art were on display.  Featured here are elegantly framed photos fit for a king - make that three kings.  In the center is the very first king of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz, known as Ibn Saud, who united the tribes of the territories to form the nation.  Ibn. Saudi ruled from 1932 until 1953. All rulers since then have been Ibn Saud's sons.  His photo is displayed here along with two of his descendants.  

This is the current king of Saudi Arabia, King Salman.  He is the 7th king and is the last immediate son of Ibn Saud who will hold that position.  He is now 84 years old.  

The Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is King Salman's son and is the heir apparent.  He is only 35 years old.  He would be the first grandson of Ibn Saud to become king, if that is how it all plays out.  

Many thanks to my friend Abid Gary Jan for allowing me to share these photos from this event with you.  Abid shares his love for Jeddah and Saudi Arabia on his Facebook pages - Jeddah Awaits You and Saudi Heritage & Tourism.

THIS POST LINKS TO - TUESDAY'S TREASURES

Saudi Arabian National Day 90th Birthday

Another enormous chocolate chip cookie decorated for National Day.  Shops offered big sales and discounts.  

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OUR WORLD TUESDAY 

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Saudi National Day Balloons

A few days ago was the 90th birthday celebration here in Saudi Arabia.  Green and white are the colors of the Saudi flag, so there were green and white decorations everywhere.  

 

Happy Saudi National Day!

A gigantic sized chocolatel chip cookie decorated in the green and white colors of the Saudi flag will be a nice addition for a Saudi Arabian National Day celebration,  Today Saudi Arabia is 90 years old.

Balloons and video graphics adorn a local mall in Jeddah for Saudi National Day

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Saudi Arabia Graphics

Saudi Arabian National Day is tomorrow, and this first sign in a shop window is in reference to the holiday.  Many shops are having big sales to celebrate. 

This photo is at an open air mall here in Jeddah and is signage indicating a female changing room.

On a pole on a road divider are celebratory signs for Saudi National Day

This last photo display also references Saudi Arabian National Day. Saudi Arabia celebrates its 90th birthday on September 23rd.  

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OUR WORLD TUESDAY 

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September 23rd is Saudi National Day!

On September 23, 2020, Saudi Arabia celebrates its 90th birthday!  For many years there were only two official holidays here in Saudi Arabia - and both of them were religion based.  It was only a few short years ago when September 23rd was officially recognized in the Kingdom as Saudi Arabian National Day, as it was on this day in 1932 when the country was unified by King Abdulaziz.  Think of it as the 4th of July of Saudi Arabia.  

The unification means that all the nomadic tribes  and regions finally stopped fighting with each other and came together under one umbrella - the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  With each passing year that I have spent here, National Day has of course become more commercialized and with more and more festivities.  

Since the Saudi flag is green and white, these colors are seen everywhere in decorations, clothing, accessories, and foods. There are usually big fireworks displays in cities across the country, but I'm not sure if that will the case this year because of the virus.  Shops are decorated with balloons, flags, and streamers - and many businesses offer big sales.   

 

Jeddah Wedding Venues

Wedding halls can be found all over Jeddah in every neighborhood. Many are quite elegant - fancy schmancy.  Because of strict gender segregation customs in the past, weddings are usually separate events for men and women.  Slowly some families are opting for mixed weddings, but it's still not the norm.

Many times the bride's event is held on a different date and different venue than the groom's event.  On occasion, they might be held on the same night at the same location at a wedding hall that offers separated entrances and separated ballrooms, as seen in the photo below.

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.  

This post is linked to My Corner of the World. Do check out the other posts from bloggers from all over the world. 

Ali Had a Little Lamb

A lamb in the back of a pickup truck is a common sight here in Saudi Arabia, especially around the holidays. This past week was one of the two holidays here in the kingdom.  When the annual Hajj pilgrimage concludes, there is a celebration called Eid al-Adha, Feast of the Sacrifice.  Normally millions of Muslims come from all over the world to perform Hajj - but not this year, though, due to the virus. This year only Muslims within the kingdom were permitted to attend. International travel to and from the kingdom has been banned since March. 

About Eid al-Adha, according to Wikipedia - "It honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to God's command. But, before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, God provided a lamb to sacrifice instead. In commemoration of this intervention, an animal, usually a sheep, is sacrificed ritually. One third of its meat is consumed by the family offering the sacrifice, while the rest is distributed to the poor and needy. Sweets and gifts are given, and extended family are typically visited and welcomed."

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 City People

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 "City People."  I chose this photo from January 2016 which I took during the Jeddah Historic Festival that took place in the oldest part of the city called Al Balad.  It features a local Saudi woman who painted children's faces for the festival, much like festivals I have been to in other places around the world. I feel it shows that we are all human and that people here in Saudi Arabia are similar to people everywhere.

Be sure  to visit the City Daily Photo portal to view other participants' entries for today's theme day.  

Happy Eid - Long Eared Goats

My husband took me to the largest Bird and Animal Souk/Market in Jeddah.  It is far south (we live north), so it was a bit of a trek to get there.  But it was definitely worth the long drive.  The souk has areas designated for different types of animals - all kinds of birds, rabbits, goats and lambs, and cows and camels.  There was especially an abundance of thousands of goats and lambs because today is a religious holiday called Eid al Adha - marking the celebration of the end of the annual pilgrimmage Hajj.  Traditionally families celebrate by sharing food with others, and a favorite is lamb and goat. 

Wishing my Muslim friends around the world a Happy Eid!

Jeddah Wedding Hall at Night

Wedding Halls are a big business here in Saudi Arabia.  They are found in pretty much every neighborhood.  New ones are even more elegant than the ones built before.  Most Saudi weddings tend to be very elaborate and expensive.  I've only been to women's weddings here (only women are in attendance, except for an appearance by the groom and close male relatives), but mixed gender weddings are becoming more commonplace the past few years. 

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Eid Mubarak from Saudi Arabia

Wishing my Muslim friends and families around the world a wonderful Eid Mubarak!

CDP Theme Day - Jeddah Pre-School

Before this whole coronavirus pandemic affected the whole world, I was fortunate to attend the International Day event at Bear Hugs Preschool here in Jeddah.  Bear Hugs has been in operation in the Al Hamra District of Jeddah since 2003 and has a very diverse international staff as well as students.

The staff and students obviously put a lot of effort and thought into making this event the roaring success that it was.  Each class had adopted a country to learn about, and the students dressed up in costumes representing each country.

In the school's lovely outdoor courtyard area, each class had prepared a space showing facts, traditions, and clothing from each country represented.

The adorable students were rightfully proud of what they had learned.  Dozens of moms attended the standing room only event.  The festivities were kicked off with a parade of the preschoolers (ages 2-6) wearing their costumes and waving flags as they made their way through the packed courtyard.

The parade was followed by a show with the students singing and performing for the beaming moms in the audience.  I was very impressed with the upbeat and happy school, its administrators, teachers, and students.  It was a lovely morning and I'm very happy to have been invited to see the school and attend this fun colorful celebration.

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 "School."  Be sure  to visit the City Daily Photo portal to view other participants' entries for today's theme day.

Jeddah Character Cakes

Birthday celebrations have become more commonplace over the years since my arrival in the Land of Sand.  Jeddah even has several branches of  Chuck E Cheese restaurants that offer children's parties.  Sponge Bob Squarepants and Hello Kitty. Spiderman and Superman.  Take your pick of any theme! I just love seeing all the pretty cakes in the bakery department.

Merry Christmas from Saudi Arabia!

Happy Holidays from me to you!

Our World - Christmas in Jeddah

I went to another holiday party at a friend's home, the same friend who had the Halloween party I went to.  She really goes all out for the holidays, and it's all so beautifully decorated.

And OMG the spread she made was absolutely amazing!  It was spectacular.  I tried a little of everything and didn't even have room to have seconds of the dishes I especially loved.

It's nice having a little bit of home all the way over here over the holidays.

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.