UNEXPECTED

There are still things that surprise me here in Saudi Arabia - things that are totally unexpected. One would think that nothing would surprise me any more at my age.

Many people would be surprised to learn that Saudi women 

like to wear bright colors and prints at home.

 Sorry I haven't been visiting blogs - I'm busy packing to leave by the end of this month. I'll no longer be living here in Saudi Arabia and will just return in the future for short visits. So I'll be discontinuing my regular blogging soon.  

I've really enjoyed making friends all over the world through blogging and would like to thank you for your interest and questions about the country I have called home for the past 15 years.  It's been quite an adventure!  Much love and best wishes to you all! 

RAMADAN IS ALMOST HERE

Mall window displays wishing a Happy Ramadan

Ramadan is just around the corner. It is the month when Muslims fast during the day. Each day from sun up until sundown, food and drink cannot be consumed.  The fast is broken when the sun goes down each evening.  This year Ramadan will take place during the whole month of April, beginning on April 1st and ending on the 30th.  

 

ARABIC SIGNS & FONTS

COLORFUL SHOP IN AL BALAD

BLUE NEON IN AL BALAD

TORY BURCH IN ARABIC

DEPARTMENT STORE SIGN

CUTE COLORFUL FONT

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THINGS YOU SEE IN SAUDI ARABIA

RELIGIOUS PILGRIMS WITH SHAVED HEADS

GREEN ROSHAN IN AL BALAD

MAGIC LAMP MADE OF PEWTER

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WEEKEND REFLECTIONS IN JEDDAH

SHINY DALLAH REFLECTION

REFLECTIONS AT THE MALL

REFLECTIONS ON SHOP WINDOW

BLUE GLASS REFLECTIONS

SKYSCRAPER REFLECTIONS

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WEEKEND ROUNDUP - LETTER "W"

"WATER" - SEAGULL FLIES OVER THE BLUE WATERS OF THE RED SEA

A FAVORITE - "WINDOW SHOPPING"

STARTS WITH "W" - "WOODEN WINDOW COVERINGS" CALLED ROSHAN

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FRIDAY BLISS

 

WEEKEND ROUNDUP - LETTER "R"

"RAINBOW" STARTS WITH "R" - PRISM "RAINBOW" ACROSS HIS THOBE

A FAVORITE - "ROSHAN" WINDOW COVERINGS OF THIS REGION

"REALLY" - TAIF'S FAMOUS PINK "ROSES" ARE REALLY FRAGRANT

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FRIDAY BLISS

 

BLUE GLASS UNDER BLUE SKIES

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TIMELESS THURSDAYS

THANKFUL THURSDAY

 

SCENES FROM AL BALAD

TRADITIONAL SAUDI DRESS & MAN WITH HENNAED BEARD

SHOPKEEPER SELLING INCENSE & PERFUMES, WAITING FOR CUSTOMERS

BULK OUD & FRANKINCENSE, PERFUMES & CREAMS

MOSQUE IN THE DISTANCE

SHOP WINDOW DISPLAY OF MIDDLE EASTERN WARES

AL BALAD IS THE OLDEST SECTOR OF JEDDAH. 

THE ORIGINS OF THE CITY DATE BACK TO 647 A.D.

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OUR WORLD TUESDAY

MY CORNER OF THE WORLD

PICTORIAL TUESDAY

 

READY FOR RAMADAN AT THE MALL

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ALL SEASONS

 

WEEKEND WINDOW REFLECTIONS

PRETTY SHAPED WINDOWS

AT THE MALL

REFLECTIONS ACROSS THE STREET

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THE BEAUTY OF OLD AL BALAD

CRUSHED CORAL BRICK CONSTRUCTION, ROSHAN WINDOW COVERINGS

DECORATIVE POINTS ATOP WALL

ROSHAN WINDOW COVERINGS, VERY TYPICAL HERE

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TRAVEL TUESDAY

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REFLECTIONS

CLOUDY REFLECTIONS ON BLUE GLASS

UNEXPECTED REFLECTION

REFLECTION THE BUILDING NEXT DOOR

 LINKING TO - WEEKEND REFLECTIONS

ROSHAN IN AL BALAD

Roshan are the slatted wooden window coverings

Al Balad is the oldest sector of Jeddah

I wish I could have seen Al Balad in its hey day.

It really must have been something.

Many thanks to my friend Aileen Byrne for allowing the use her photos in this post. 

 

Jeddah Shop Windows

I love this shop window featuring traditional dress for little boys. My favorites are the mustache on the mannequin and the khanjar (curved dagger) in front of the mustachioed figure.

 A colorful two tone variety of the traditional men's leather sandals called Madas fills this shoe shop's windows.  Their design covers more of the feet than most sandals, providing protection the wearer from the elements. To learn more about Madas, CLICK HERE.

And lastly are more stylish thobes for little boys.