Streets of Riyadh

Just some random pics of the city.  Its quite hard to get pictures as most of the time you are in a car - its not really the done thing for woman to walk the streets (and especially in 50c).

So most of these pictures are taken by a friend of mine who has done alot of walking around the city in the time we have been here.

The inside of the Riyadh Gallery Shopping Mall - lots of water and lots of stuffed animals - sort of feel like you are in a zoo.

These two are taken from inside the taxi - this is the Kingdom Shopping Mall.  You find all the designer shops here.

Another mall - Faisalia, the globe is a restaurant.

First 'Hash' Walk in the Desert

Today I went on an organised Hash Harriers run/walk.  You put your name on a list and are given a meeting point (its all quite secretive as no woman are allowed in cars with men unless they are their husbands or with a married couple)

Then a convoy of 4x4's pull up and then you just jump in and off we go.

So you have no idea who these male drivers are (god you'd never jump into a strangers car back home)

The drive is usually about 30-45 minutes but as it happens we were in  a line of cars that took the wrong turn somewhere along the way.  So 1.5hrs later we arrive at the meeting point - so we got to see a little more desert than others.

The desert was more rocky than sand.

These are the 'crazy' people who decided to run or take the long walk in 44c heat.

Our rides

The half way point - watermelon/peaches and cold water - never tasted such good watermelon

I opted for the short walk

The scenery out here was just amazing

The crazy people climbing their way down the hill

Our treat at the end of the walk - ice cream galore, mountains of toppings.  Two plates later and I felt so sick.  Got home and thought I was going to die in the night - combination of too much ice cream, dehydration and heat - but alas I did survive the night.

Can't help but  think how it must feel to be lost in the middle of the desert looking at this vast open space.

Carpets and Pashminas

Last night we went to the souqs again...looking for abayas (will end up with more abayas than normal clothes)  Went into a carpet shop - saw the most beautiful carpets, just might have to invest in one before I leave.

Carpets, carpets and more carpets

Jo trying out her haggling skills

And more carpets

These shelves are full of pashminas - we all ended up buying one.

First Night Out in Riyadh

To celebrate the end of our first week in the Kingdom a group of us went to the local Turkish Restaurant for dinner.  The restaurant is a bit of an icon here.  Delicious food and oh so cheap.  It cost us $10 AUD each for starters/breads/mains/drinks and we did not eat all the food - so great value for money.

This is the Faisalia Mall - when we all pass out medication exam we are going to treat ourselves to high tea in the globe on top of the building.

Waiting outside the restaurant for prayer time to be over.  The restaurants/shops close for every prayer.  If you are inside the restaurant you can stay but they will not serve you anything.

(Catherine/Maria - Ireland/UK)

Inside the restaurant waiting for our table. (Veronica and Jo - Ireland)

Table laden with food

Our fab waiter - he was just so funny- reminded me of Basel from Faulty Towers.

Monica and Terri - US

All the restaurants/cafes here have mens and family sections.  Single ladies  dine in the family section.

Mens Thobes

We ventured into a chocolate shop and were greeted by these lovely men who presented us with trays of chocolates and arabic sweets to try while in the shop.

Girls in Black.

Shoes

We were supposed to go to Ikea but ended up on the wrong bus and went to the souqs instead - which is not a bad thing - heaven for me!!!  I love exploring.  We came across the most amazing shoe shops and loads of them - the colours of the shoes were incredible.  Never seen such a variety of colours.

Did not really have a look so not too sure if they were shoes I would wear.  But thought that it made a good photo anyway.  We also checked out the gold souqs and went abaya shopping.  There are some beautiful abayas for sure.

More photos to come - its just picking the right time to take them - like making sure there are no police around and security.

My Saudi Apartment

These are some pictures of the apartment where I am living in Saudi.

Outside the front gate of the compound there is a shed with a huge machine gun and there is also a truck that patrols the area with a big machine gun on top - not quite sure if it makes me feel safe or not!!!

My bedroom

The view from my bedroom window - note the barbed wire around the perimeter.

Kitchen

The lounge room

The empty space in the entrance way as you come in the front door

Pre Saudi Pictures

Today I received an email advising me of where I am going to be living when I arrive in Saudi.

So seem as you need a permit to take photos around the hospital I found some pictures online so thought I'd post them.

This is an aerial view of the hospital grounds - so you can see how big the place is.

This is the apartment complex that I will be living in.  They are really nice inside from memory.

And as you can see the pool is lovely - but its not very deep so its usually like a warm bath, but there is another pool not far away.

This is another view of the complex

As it is even harder to take pictures outside of the hospital (without getting arrested) I found these also.  This is one of  the two high rise buildings in Riyadh  - Kingdom Tower.  It is a shopping centre and office block.  You can actually get tickets to walk along the bridge at the top.  There is a "ladies only" floor where you can take off your abaya if you wish and you can even try on clothes (which is not allowed any where else)

Some shops will let you take the clothes to the toilet and try them on or just take them back if they are not right.

This is the other high rise building - shopping center/offices.  The dome at the top is a restaurant.

This is inside the dome restaurant - best to go on a clear day when you can see the view (of the desert!!!)

So these are just a few photos - I will try my best to get more.

Inshallah .... (god willing - the favorite saying in the gulf)

You Know You've Lived in The Gulf Too Long If.....

This is Quite funny, and gives you and idea of what happens here:

1.  Your idea of housework is leavng a list for the maid

2.  You think black is appropriate daytime wear (saudi)

3.  You wear a jacket indoors and take it off when you go outdoors

4.  You give directions by landmarks

5.  You expect gold every brithday

6.  You send your friends a map instead of your address

7.  You start  admiring other womans 'designer' abayas

8.  You expect to pay more for water than petrol

9.  You think Pepsi starts with a 'B'

10. You have ever had to wait for prayer call to end before you can finish shopping (saudi)

11. You have friends from 50 different countries

12. Rain is still one of the most wonderful sounds

13. You have sat in the 'mens/womans section in a hospital/restaurant/airport

14. School closes because of sandstorms

15. You are not suprised to see an 8yr old driving the car next to you

16. You can't buy anything without asking for a discount

17. You think cars only come in white

18. You don't expect to eat dinner before 2230

19. Your ideal vacation is somewhere you can eat pork

20. You think the speed limits are only advisory

21. You fully expect to go to jail when a local hits the back of your car

22. You get used to using the cold tap during the summer to get hot water

23. You think that a box of kleenex belongs on every dinner table

24. You think everyones first name is Al

25. You expect all stores to stay open until midnight

26. You think its perfectly normal to have a picnic in the middle of a roundabout at 2300

27. You accept that there is no point in asking why you are not allowed to do something

28. You expect queues to be 1 person deep and 40 people wide

29. You can tell the time by listening to the local mosque

30. You start to say Inshallah when you really mean no f*****g chance

31. A problem with the car AC or the horn is more serious than the brakes

32. You overtake a police car at 130km/hr

33. Seeing guys welcome each other with a kiss and holding hands while walking does not distract you anymore

34.  Phrases like 'potato peeler' 'dishwasher' 'fly swatter' 'coffee maker' are no longer household accessories but actual job titles

35. You remember not eating in public during the holy month of Ramadan

Bad Attempt At Taking Self Portrait

Last night for my birthday Nick took me to the Italian Restaurant in the Ritz Carlton Hotel for dinner - and it was simply devine. 

After dinner we walked around the pool area - 37C at 2200.

Mr 'Hugo Boss'

We had a few attempts at taking a picture of ourselves - this was the best one.  We did not like to take a picture in the restaurant as there was quite a few locals there , and it was bad enough that none of them wanted to sit at the table next to us.

Mind u me with my bare shoulders and the couple on the other side of the spare table were 'getting it on' so its a wonder the locals came no-where near us.

Oops cut Nick out!!!

Nearly got us in.

Can see right up your nose babe!!

Bad crows feet for sure!!!  Sandra Bullock swears by hemerrhoid cream for hers - might have to give it a go I think.

The rose I took off the table at the restaurant to make my birthday roses 14.