DEALING WITH THE HEAT IN SAUDI ARABIA

 

NEW WATERPARK UNDER CONSTRUCTION NORTH OF JEDDAH

WORKERS GETTING OUT THE HOT SUN UNDER A FLATBED

CAMELS SEEKING REFUGE IN THE SHADE OF A PALM TREE

STREET CLEANER TAKES A BREAK ON THE CURB IN THE SHADE

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Jeddah Variety of Women's Wear

Saudi women generally pray at home. Usually they put on a prayer dress on top of what they are wearing. The prayer dress is a loose long simple dress that extends down to the floor, has long sleeves, a high neckline, and may have a hood attached to cover the hair.  These prayer outfits are usually made of a soft thin cotton fabric in a variety of colors and prints.  

This shop sells women's wear, including prayer dresses, abayas, and scarves.  The last photo of this post was taken in the same shopping plaza as the others.  I can't imagine ever wearing anything like it, even in my younger days, but maybe there are some women who might wear this in the privacy of their own homes.  

 

Jeddah Waterfront Park

Jeddah's Waterfront Park runs along the Red Sea coastline for 4.5 km. It opened in November 2017 and is one of Jeddah's most popular attractions. There is something for everyone there.

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

Jeddah Playground on the Red Sea

Two women in black abayas swinging at a playground while they enjoy the beauty of the Red Sea in front of them.

Our World: Leisure Life on the Red Sea

Usually by April in Jeddah, the sweltering oppressive heat has already taken hold, but this year the weather has been surprisingly pleasant.  I'm happy any time I am outside and not sweating!

It's nice seeing so many Jeddawis enjoying the pleasant weather too.  Personally I especially like seeing the young girls letting their hair blow in the breeze and doing things like bike riding or rollerblading that I used to pretty much only see boys doing here in public. Times have changed here 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.

SkyWatch: Jeddah's Beautiful Waterfront Park

Jeddah's Waterfront is one of the most popular areas of the city, attracting thousands on the weekends to enjoy being outdoors, the refreshing sea breezes, and the beauty of its natural surroundings.

The photography opportunities are endless, plus there is an ever growing abundance of restaurants to choose from if one is hungry.

At the Waterfront, there is a sense of serenity, calm and peace that washes over the soul with the gentle waves of the Red Sea.

A big "Thanks" to my friend and amazing photographer Abdullah Yahya for allowing me to share this beautiful photo for today's post.  Stay tuned for more fantastic pics from around Saudi Arabia taken by Abdullah.  Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @ayaa1977

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.

Jeddah - Let's Play Chess!

A big "Thanks" to my friend and amazing photographer Abdullah Yahya for allowing me to share this beautiful photo for today's post.  Stay tuned for more fantastic pics from around Saudi Arabia taken by Abdullah.  Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @ayaa1977

SkyWatch: Hollywood Nights on Jeddah's Waterfront

A big "Thanks" to my friend and amazing photographer Abdullah Yahya for allowing me to share this beautiful photo for today's post.  Stay tuned for more fantastic pics from around Saudi Arabia taken by Abdullah.  Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @ayaa1977

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.

Yanbu Flowers Festival 2019 Scheduled

As usual, the dates for the 2019 annual Yanbu Flowers Festival are still murky at this point, but the event should be coming up soon.  The General Authority for Entertainment has put out the festival dates as running from Tuesday, March 14th through Saturday, April 8th, however other sites have differing information, starting as early as February 28 and ending March 30.  If I am able to confirm either way, I will let you know. 

The festival is free for all attendees and there are many nice places to stay in Yanbu.  Event timings are 4-11pm daily.  If you love flowers, you won't want to miss this colorful spectacle.  You can see my posts for lots more photos from some of the recent years festivals at these links:  Yanbu FF 2018 and Yanbu FF 2016.

A big "Thanks" to my friend and amazing photographer Abdullah Yahya for allowing me to share this beautiful photo for today's post from last years Flower Festival.  Stay tuned for more fantastic pics from around Saudi Arabia taken by Abdullah.  Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @ayaa1977

Move Over, Fulla! Hayati Girl's in Town!

Back in 2003, a modestly dressed doll named Fulla hit the marketplace here in the Middle East.  Fulla was introduced as an alternative to the Barbie doll, being about the same size as Barbie.  Fulla had dark eyes and hair and was heralded as Barbie's more traditional, more moral, more religious cousin.  Fulla wore the hijab (scarf) on her head, and in Saudi Arabia, she wore an abaya (the black cloak women wear).  In other markets, Fulla dressed modestly.  Well, at first she did anyway. 

After a while I noticed Fulla dolls were available without the hijab, even wearing knee length skirts and short sleeve tops. This may have just been that the dolls for other markets outside KSA had made their way to the kingdom.  Interestingly enough, unlike Barbie, who is completely naked when her clothes are removed, Fulla has undergarments painted on to her plastic body.  I remember when I first moved to Saudi Arabia in 2007, there was actually a ban on the sales of Barbie dolls and her image here.  But over the years the ban was lifted and now Barbie is readily available.  Strangely enough, nowadays Fulla has become more and more difficult to find here.  

But there is a new kid in town ... Hayati Girl!

Hayati Girl seems to be fashioned after the American Girl dolls and are of a similar size.  Hayati Girl wears the hijab and also dresses modestly.  I think her face is very similar to the American Girl dolls.

Hayati Girl dolls are priced in the stores here at 200sr, which is about $53 US.  But I saw the Hayati Girl Prayer set (same one as above and below) selling online for 282sr, which converts to $75 US.  It looks like these prices are right in line with the cost of the American Girl dolls, which average $60 US.   

Our World - Life on Jeddah's Waterfront

The Jeddah Waterfront has become one of the most popular places for the city's residents to spend their leisure time.  And with schools in Saudi Arabia out last week, people flocked to Jeddah from cities all over the country because of the Red Sea and the beautiful weather.

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.

Viewing the Red Sea

This lookout point on a pier that juts out into the Red Sea provides a fantastic endless view of the blue waters to the west of Jeddah.

A big "Thanks" to my friend and amazing photographer Abdullah Yahya for allowing me to share this beautiful photo for today's post.  Stay tuned for more fantastic pics from around Saudi Arabia taken by Abdullah.  Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @ayaa1977

Jeddah Nite Scene on the Corniche

Many small shops like this one that sell snacks and drinks, ice cream, prayer rugs, blow up toys, and lots of items one might want to purchase while strolling on the Corniche are located along the Red Sea coastline of Jeddah.  They all seem to do quite a thriving business.  

Jeddah's Cool Waterfront

This is a newer pier overlooking the Red Sea Coastline of Jeddah.  Since the new waterfront opened up just over a year ago, the Corniche area has become a very popular place for people spendng their leisure time enjoying the breezes and beauty of this area. 

A big "Thanks" to my friend and amazing photographer Abdullah Yahya for allowing me to share this beautiful photo for today's post.  Stay tuned for more fantastic pics from around Saudi Arabia taken by Abdullah.  Follow him on Twitter @ayaa1977

Jeddah Horse Sculpture at Sunset

The recent transformation of Jeddah's Waterfront was a fantastic opportunity for many artists to create works of art for the city.  Rabia Al Akhras was already well known in Jeddah for his rendition of a herd of galloping horses which is located in the island dividing north and south running lanes of Medina Road just south of the Jeddah airport.  The Syrian sculptor, who has spent most of his life living in Jeddah, donated three of his horse sculptures to grace the coastal city's seaside area, which is more popular than ever due to significant upgrades and developments in recent years. 

A big "Thanks" to my friend and amazing photographer Abdullah Yahya for allowing me to share this beautiful sunset photo for today's post.  Stay tuned for more fantastic pics from around Saudi Arabia taken by Abdullah.  Follow him on Twitter @ayaa1977

Jeddah Waterfront Lookout Point

The Red Sea stretches for miles north and south along the city of Jeddah's coastline.  It is beautiful and peaceful and is a popular gathering place for families. There is usually a pleasant breeze and the weather is delightful this time of year. 

A big "Thanks" to my friend and amazing photographer Abdullah Yahya for allowing me to share this beautiful photo for today's post.  Stay tuned for more fantastic pics from around Saudi Arabia taken by Abdullah.  Follow him on Twitter @ayaa1977

Saudi Bench Seating

I've actually seen these exact seats in several places around this area. They are very popular Saudi style outdoor seating.  Other styles may have armrests and cushions to sit on, but the wooden frame and painted designs are very typical.

Picnic in the Park

Many families gathered in the park outside the recent Yanbu Flower Festival to relax or picnic and enjoy the weather.  Many people bring large carpets to sit on for outdoor enjoyment.  

Saudi Arabia Yanbu Flower Festival

Yanbu Flower Festival is going on now for another 10 days, ending on March 25th.  It's one of the best festivals in Saudi Arabia, well organized, well managed, and well run.  Open Daily from 4pm-11pm.  Lots of fun for everyone!  See more photos from this year's event by clicking HERE.  

Another Cute Waterfront Playground

Jeddah's new waterfront park area along the Corniche has several really cool playgrounds for kids.  They look so fun they kinda make me wish I were a kid again.  I love these butterfly sun shades in this area.