Malls – the Best Respite from Summer Heat
Sweet relief! We rejoined society today and went to the mall for the first time in ages. I pushed the boys in a double stroller for five miles and could’ve kept going if naps and food weren’t needed. 😆 :: Saudi has the largest, most impressive malls I’ve ever experienced. There are several just in Jeddah. […]
The Most Popular Phrase in Saudi?
“Inshallah” – aka every foreigner’s nightmare. 😅 The phrase “in shaa allah” means “if God wills” in Arabic and is used in reference to future events. Taken at face value, the phrase is a beautiful reminder that everything is in God’s hands and we really can’t plan anything with absolute certainty. But it’s most used here in […]
Magic Carpets do Exist
These days I swoon for a beautiful rug…aka I’m clearly in my 30’s. 😁 :: Saudi homes are typically tiled (cooler and easier to clean up the dust), and fully carpeted rooms are rare, so rugs have center stage. There are plenty of shops selling oriental and modern patterned rugs that are factory made and a […]
Rulers of the Streets
The many cats of Jeddah. 🐈 Slinking behind bushes, brazenly splayed out on car roofs, balancing on dumpster edges…cats run the streets here. Most are pretty mangy and hardened by their rough existence – not exactly the fluffy, friendly type. But luckily for them, people are happy to give the felines scraps of food or little piles […]
My Jeddah Book Nook
I love a good book nook. This spot in our house feels cozy and familiar and is the perfect place to wind down in the evening. :: Books have always been an escape for me but they are an especially great coping mechanism for frustrations here. I try to always have one in the car […]
Summer Never Ends
This is one of my favorite photos that epitomizes summer: bright sun, swimming suit, watermelon… except that it was taken in November. 😅 :: We get summer year-round here, which is what most people would expect. However, people are surprised that it’s not a dry desert heat but a balmy humid one. The capital, Riyadh, gets […]
Living that “Under 21” Life Again
In Saudi, alcohol is strictly prohibited. This isn’t like a “dry” campus where you might face minor disciplinary action if caught. If you bring alcohol into the country, have it in your house, or distribute it, you could end up getting lashed or imprisoned. It’s serious. :: Muslims are supposed to abstain from alcohol as […]
Walking Along the Red Sea: the Jeddah Corniche
The Jeddah Corniche is a magical place. It’s a 4.5 km promenade/recreation area that winds along the coast of the Red Sea. There are spacious walkways, gardens, playgrounds, fountains, sculptures and the occasional mosque. A few sandy beach areas welcome swimmers (mostly men and children) and concession kiosks dot the walkway. 🏝🌺☀️ :: This revamped version […]
To Bidet or Not to Bidet; That is the Question
The world is divided and I need to know on which side you stand… Are you for the bidet or against? :: If you weren’t aware, there is a battle taking place between staunch bidet-supporters and toilet-paper-only people. Saudis (and other eastern cultures) don’t understand how the West can live without bidets. They think there’s […]
Eid Celebrations Look Different This Year
Today is the holiday of Eid Al Fitr, which signals the end of Ramadan and the breaking of Muslims’ daily fast. 🌙 :: The Eid season is a multi-day celebration similar to the Christmas season – families gather and feast together, make food specific to the holiday, buy gifts for each other, and spend special time […]
