Blue Danube ... (sign in Arabic)

Danube is a large supermarket chain with many locations in Saudi Arabia.  It is well known for carrying a great selection of imported items that are hard to find in other stores.  This branch is a free-standing building on Medina Road. 

Mall Gift Shop Window Display

This is an attractive window display of a gift shop in a mall in Jeddah.  Among other things, the shop sells traditional vessels for teas and coffees.

Our World: Crystal Bras

For such an uptight and sexually repressed society where women must cover up like nuns when out in public, I am always surprised and amazed at the variety of unexpected goods and products available here in Saudi Arabia.

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Red Sea Mall

Shopping is considered by many to be the national pastime of Saudi Arabia.  This is an interior shot of a section of the Red Sea Mall in Jeddah, one of the city's many spectacular shopping malls.  This shopping paradise has 18 entrances and more than 4000 parking spaces, and offers such shops as Espirit, Coach, Lacoste, and Burberry.

The Connoisseur Bakery of Jeddah

The Connoisseur Bakery in Jeddah offers delectable selections that are works of art.  It is located in a restaurant complex on Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Street which houses a total of four upscale eateries. Aside from their artistic desserts and sweets, The Connoisseur also offers breads, croissants, and gift items.  

SkyWatch: Honeycomb Beehive Sculpture

I don't know what the buzz is about this sculpture or what it is really called, but I've dubbed it The Honeycomb/Beehive because of the obvious hexagonal shapes similar to the inside of a beehive that make up this piece of art. 

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"Subha" Prayer Beads Sculptures

I never really knew what this sculpture represented until a couple of weeks ago when a high school student told me that it is "subha," the prayer beads that are used by Muslims.  I've seen prayer beads made of all types of beads, from precious stones, glass and crystal, to wood and plastic.  There is usually a large starting bead with tassles hanging from it, and then either 33 stringed beads or 3 sets of 33 beads.  They are useful in helping Muslims keep track of certain repeated recitations, but are not considered a necessity.  This sculpture appears to be made of heavy metal wire that has been coiled and twisted into bead shapes.  I love the birds that have made themselves at home and can be seen perched on top of the sculpture.