The Convenience Stores of Arabia
Bagalas – the convenience stores of Arabia. These small markets are everywhere. There are some that just carry produce, but most have the typical essentials: snacks galore, some canned goods, diapers and toilet paper, and coolers of beverages. We have mixed feelings about the produce bagala in our neighborhood. In most shops, I pick up […]
Lights, Camera, Action! Cinemas Open in Saudi
Movie theaters shutting down during the pandemic is annoying, but can you imagine them staying closed for 35 years? That’s what happened to Saudi in 1983 when an Islamic revival prompted authorities to ban cinemas. We were here when cinemas made their grand reopening in the country in 2018. First there was one in Riyadh, […]
We Each Get Two Bathrooms
We have 8 bathrooms in our apartment. 🛀 🚽 😬 It must be because I paid my penance for growing up in a house with one tiny bathroom shared by 6 people… :: Eight bathrooms are wholly unnecessary for our small family and much more work than they’re worth. Even though our apartment is big, it’s not THAT big […]
Is My English Language Slipping?
“There will be someone Some thing made me stop, Just like starbucks coffee.” Ahh I feel inspired, don’t you? And I’m sure Starbucks approved the use of their logo on this mug we bought at a kitchen supply store. 😅 :: Saudi is teeming with tshirts, decor and knickknacks with English phrases that are just a […]
Non-Muslims Not Allowed
Hajj season is underway – typically it’s a very crowded, lively time with people from all over the world traveling through Jeddah on their way to Mecca to complete the pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. Over 5 or 6 days, the pilgrims perform a series of rituals in Mecca, including […]
Camels, Oil, and Fancy Cars – Is That All There is To Saudi?
When we were still in the US, Sean had a Skype interview for a pharmacy job in Saudi. (I already had a teaching job offer that I was planning to accept so we were hoping Sean would secure something before we left). The morning of his interview we were at an AirBnB in Memphis where […]
Jeddah’s Record-Breaking Fountain
Jeddah is slated to have the world’s tallest building (currently under construction) but while we wait for it to rise above the Burj Khalifa, at least Jeddah continues to have the honor of world’s tallest fountain. It’s a title they’ve held for almost 35 years since King Fahd donated the landmark (water mark?) to the […]
Tickling the Ivories in Jeddah
This Yamaha CLP-625 digital piano is my prized possession. Much to my delight, I discovered a Yamaha store in Jeddah soon after we moved here. For over a year I’d stare longingly at its windows as we drove past, occasionally popping in to play a ditty on the fancy pianos and noting the model numbers […]
Tamees & Foul: It’s What’s for Breakfast
Instead of popping a slice of bagged bread in the toaster, Saudis’ morning bread comes fresh from an underground clay oven. 😳 :: Foul (beans) and tamees (bread) are a hearty breakfast staple here (arguably a lunch and dinner staple too 😆). Neighborhoods have walk-up bean and bread restaurants that specialize in just these two […]
Milk Siblings: A Tradition That Has Persisted
Saudis are known for having large families, but they extend even further when you count “milk siblings.” :: Wet nurses are still a common part of Arab culture (women who breastfeed a baby in addition to, or in place of, the mom). And according to Islamic tradition, when a baby drinks the breast milk of […]
