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. 😆
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Saudi has the largest, most impressive malls I’ve ever experienced. There are several just in Jeddah. This photo is from the three-story Red Sea Mall about 10 mins from our house. The skylight ceiling makes for a bright and airy shopping experience and I could get lost walking through the many corridors that branch out from the main atrium (if I didn’t already have the layout memorized).
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Most brands you could imagine make their home within the cavernous walkways: American Eagle, Sephora, Toms, Kate Spade, Prada, Carters, H&M, Toys ‘R Us, Mango, BCBG, and tons more. The sprawling food court is no exception with Applebee’s, Raisin’ Canes, Shake Shack, P.F. Changs, Texas Roadhouse, and wonderful local restaurants.
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Malls here are a one stop shop. This mall alone has a cinema, large grocery, several pharmacies, a bowling alley and laser tag course, and a kids’ play place akin to Chuck E Cheese. It caters to everyone, whether you’re a grab-a-McDonald’s-cheeseburger-on-the-way-to-the-Crocs-store kinda person or a sit-down-to-an-expensive-sushi-dinner-after-purchasing-a-Burberry-dress type.
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In a place traditionally without many entertainment and recreation options (and a population with money to spend), malls have long been the place to escape the heat, meet friends, grab a decent meal, and get some walking exercise. It doesn’t hurt that they’re open until 12am on weekdays and 1am on weekends. 🌙