Saudi Arabia, is a very guarded and reserved in nature, and a land of mystery. At the same time it is a land of wonder and immense variety. Visitors can spend time in the many modern shopping malls of the big cities, all of which offer the latest goods from all the recognized names; or they can experience and explore the stillness and serenity of the Rub al Khali, the largest sand desert in the world. In between these extremes, there is history, Arab culture, volcanoes, souqs, the Red Sea and Persian Gulf and much, much more.
Before you start your exploring in this beautiful country, you must bear in mind that Saudi is very strict about some things: women, outside the residential compounds, must wear an "abaya", an all-black dress that covers your neck
down to your ankles. Shorts are prohibited for both men and women. Muslim prayers are strictly observed 5 times a day and all places close for the thirty minutes of prayer. Shorter shopping excursions have to be carefully planned to fit in with these times - which also vary according to the time of year. Women are not permitted to drive. Compounds have a taxi service for a modest cost, along with a free shopping bus service. The School provides transport for single female teachers.
Riyadh is one of the fastest growing cities in the world with a population of close to 5 million. There is a large expatriate population which forms a part of this. Making friends and mixing with people of many different nationalities, whether through one of the many clubs or casually in a residential compound is an important aspect of living in Riyadh. Any classroom at the British International School can have up to 12 different nationalities. People in the professional community come from Western Europe, Southern Africa, the Antipodes and the Asian sub-continent mostly. These workers are involved in IT, banking, medicine, education and a host of business activities. They stay between two years and a lifetime.
Activities in Riyadh are mostly based around shopping, club activities and social gatherings. Shopping malls have significantly grown in number in the last ten years. There are two larger ones in the high towers of Faisaliah and Kingdom but equally large and luxurious ones have appeared all around the city. Clothing, mostly women and children's, features prominently but there are the usual collection of electronics, including computers, sporting goods and houseware. Riyadh, like many other Eastern cities, has all the latest trends. Large stores include Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, Saks 5th Avenue and Next. Many of these malls feature large supermarkets; Carrefour and Hyper Panda are prominent. However, there are several Tamimi supermarkets which are linked to Safeways and perhaps more akin to British taste. However, they do not stock the range you will find in Tesco or Sainsbury.
The souqs offer an alternative to the malls. Batha is part of the old centre of Riyadh. It is a busy, bustling area where most of the Asian community gather. Within Batha, there is a specialty area for electronics known as the 5 buildings; there is the tent souq where you can get any type of canvas product sewn from bag to Bedu tent; the spare parts souq where you can get anything for your car - roof racks, audio equipment, seating covers, alarm systems etc, - all fitted cheaply and quickly; simply leave your car and shop for an hour or two and enjoy a shawarma while you wander; there is a tailoring section where these men can copy any item of clothing you wish, simply following the command 'same, same'. Kuwaiti souq, to the north end of the city is another must to wander and shop for tailoring, furniture, carpets, gold, materials and spices.
The Saudis crave gold and there are several gold souqs which people regularly visit. Buying gold items is not something the average person does at home, but here it is possibly a monthly excursion, depending on the price of gold; necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings from simple designs to the most extravagant, jewel-laden collections are abundant in shop windows; nearly all of these items are in 18 to 24 carat gold. Like many other items, they can be bartered for.
There are many sporting clubs, off-road driving clubs, drama, music and a whole variety of leisure/pastime pursuits including the ever-popular hash. There are two championship, grass golf courses and several smaller courses and, of course desert courses which have to be experienced at least once. Dirab golf course is the most established and is about a 45 minute drive from Riyadh down the spectacular escarpment.
There is a history inside Riyadh, well worth exploring: The beautiful 19th-century Masmak Castle is made of clay and mud brick fort, thick walls and four watchtowers. It played a major part in Saudi Arabia's history. It tells the story in text and pictures of how the modern state came into being when, at the beginning of the 20th century, Abdul Aziz with a small band of followers, captured Riyadh by taking that very fort. He was responsible for unifying the whole of the present Saudi Arabia into the modern state it is today. His sons still rule the country peacefully. Just slightly north of Riyadh is old Diriyah, the old capital which now lies in ruins. It is well worth a wander around. In Batha, to the south, there is the impressive, modern museum featuring many items and artifacts of Saudi and Arabian heritage and culture. In the immediate surround of the city, are to be found many old forts, accessible by short off-road excursions.
There are many different styles of restaurants ranging from the usual fast food outlets to the more sumptuous restaurants, mostly found in hotels such as the Four Seasons in Kingdom, and Mondos in The Intercontinental. There are many Turkish restaurants offering the 'flat' bbq chicken with hummus, tabula and methabula. There are also many Chinese, Indian, Thai and Italian eating places. More recently, such American chains as Chillies and TGI have appeared. There are even the ubiquitous fish and chip shops.
Compound life is a significant part of living and working in Riyadh. Many of the compounds are relatively luxurious and include all the facilities you would expect to find in a 5* hotel. There will be swimming pools, tennis and squash, large gymnasiums, restaurant, coffee shop, shops and many other features. Life in the compounds is leisurely as people enjoy the freedom from house and garden chores. To some, the routine of pool, chatting, gym, tennis and shopping can become tedious; to others it is heaven. These compounds have buses to take non-working wives on daily excursions to whatever mall or occasionally for other more interesting visits to museums or farms.
Children wander and play safely but being able to swim is essential. There are many organized sporting and play activities for younger children. Swimming is a popular competitive sport for young children with regular training and meets. There is perhaps less for older children who tend to meet with friends on compounds.
The true beauty of Saudi Arabia lies outside the cities and only a minority of people take the opportunity to explore one of the world's most undiscovered landscapes. Maybe this is a world for you to discover with your family & friends.
