Bedouin Decor

Some Saudi families like to designate a room in their home as their "Bedouin Room." It's a living room that has been decorated in the traditional Bedouin style. Many times the seating consists of cushions on the floor. The seating in this photo has the cushions elevated off the floor, like a typical couch. The red and black geometric and striped patterns in the fabric are traditional Bedouin designs. The black curtain is also very typically Bedouin, reminiscent of the black tents the nomadic Bedouins used to live in in the desert. The black tents were made of dark brown or black goats' hair, hence the color. Other items that complete the Bedouin look are red patterned carpets for the floor, decorative tassels and sashes in a variety of bright colors, pillows, and dark wooden chiseled furniture with clunky rustic hardware. Many Saudi celebrations and special events will have this type of Bedouin decor in place. There are many businesses in Jeddah that rent out the tents, carpets, and cushions for such events.

If you are interested in reading more about The Black Tents of the Bedouins, I found this wonderful article in a 1966 edition of Aramco Magazine.

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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Businesses at Night

I showed you a similar shot of lit up colorful business signs last month. This one is taken from an angle and shows a lot more of the colorful signs. I love shots like this.

Sign Language Translation on TV

I'm used to seeing sign language interpreters on TV in the states, but I was surprised to see this program using a sign language interpreter. I'm not sure what the program was about.

Our World: The Use of "Haji"

When a Muslim man performs the required pilgrimage to Mecca at some point in his lifetime, he is allowed to refer to himself as "Haji," meaning that he has performed the Haj. It is also used as a man's first name as well.  Many businessmen like to use this title of honor before their names on their business establishments. When I Googled the term in preparation for this post, I was quite surprised and disappointed to learn, however, that the term "Haji" is now being used in a derogatory manner by US military personnel as a racial slur referring to Arabs.




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Soccer Drills

There is a big empty lot a few blocks from our home that is used for soccer games and practice. It's one of the few empty lots that I've seen here in Jeddah that is not filled with rubble. Some neighborhoods have grassed fields, like at schools, where the boys can play. Girls are not allowed to play sports in public settings like this.

Villa With Tiled Exterior

This is the new exterior of an older villa that is being remodeled. It's an interesting choice of tile work - I don't think I've ever seen a design quite like this on a residential property. Although my Saudi husband and I used to enjoy doing DIY projects when we were homeowners in the states, remodeling DIY projects are not something that a Saudi man would normally do himself, merely for the fact that labor is so cheap here. So there are none of those big home improvement stores here like there are in the states, such as Home Depot and Loews.