Saudi Woman Walking

car maintenance

A Saudi man fixing his car with his worker - probably driver...

Dune Climbing

Late at night at Riyadh's souq

You can buy everything at local souqs. I love them. I love the atmosfere. 

I love just to sit on a bench and observe life there. 

Loyalty

Riyadh is still bursting with posters of the King and Royal Family Members. 

Plenty of the Saudi companies show loyalty to their leaders. 

Psychological support in hard times. 

Good time for printing companies. 

Prayer at the mosque in Souq Owais in Riyadh

Some men already finished their prayers and are leaving mosque, those who came late - during prayer - are making up for the missed part of the prayer. 

Photo taken in Owais Souq in Riyadh.  

WALKING IN RIYADH

When I came here to Riyadh, there was only one walking street. Riyadh had pavements only in the center, and even though they were narrow, high - almost impossible to move with a baby in a trolley. Since 1 year there has been construction works undergoing in capital, pavements are expanding, more green plants and date trees have been planted. Approximately 2 years ago, a developer started developing a land near us. Marvellous walking street was built - and we could see Saudis and foreigners taking walks on cooler days during the sunlight, on hot - at night.

Most of the people you would see there - have been women. Lack of gyms for women, lack of physical education at schools for girls. Women walk, but it is still considered inappropriate for a them to run or ride a bicycle.

Observer

© Umm Latifa in Saudi Kingdom

Photo taken while we were driving down the highway in Riyadh...

King Abdullah is back!

© Umm Latifa in Saudi Kingdom

King Abdullah came home after spine surgery in USA and rehabilitation and rest period in al-Magrib - Marocco. Riyadh has been decorated with his images, Saudi flags and posters expressing love for the monarch.

Nobody can say, he is not aware that King Abdullah is home.

Old Woman

© Umm Latifa in Saudi Kingdom

Saudi Arabia is known as one of the richest countries in the world, 

but the poverty has not been eliminated. 

Saudi Man, a Horse and a Mobile in Thumama

One day, we went to Thumama Desert, a popular picnic spot during colder days, 30 km from Riyadh.  

There were crowds on the highway (!) and police to regulate traffic. 

We managed to find a place where the nearest family was approx. 100 meters from us ;) and suddenly - a Saudi Man on a Horse talking through the Mobile appeared - among the sand dunes.

Why do I get an impression that Saudis can spend hours... talking through their phones?  

Kharj

© Umm Latifa in Saudi Kingdom, published initially on my blog ARABIA SAUDYJSKA

© Umm Latifa in Saudi Kingdom, published initially on my blog ARABIA SAUDYJSKA

© Umm Latifa in Saudi Kingdom, published initially on my blog ARABIA SAUDYJSKA

© Umm Latifa in Saudi Kingdom,   published initially on my blog ARABIA SAUDYJSKA

© Umm Latifa in Saudi Kingdom, published initially on my blog ARABIA SAUDYJSKA

Hospital al-Yamamah in Riyadh

© Umm Latifa in Saudi Kingdom, 

photo  published initially on my blog ARABIA SAUDYJSKA

Women on the side of the road in Riyadh

© Umm Latifa in Saudi Kingdom

Women - probably foreigners from Africa - sit on the side of the road in Wadi Hanifa with their children. 

It is not common for Saudi women to gather in such public places.  

One Evening near Fort Masmak

Children's performance

© Umm Latifa in Saudi Kingdom

Children's performance during celebrations on the occasion of end of ramadan (Muslim month of fasting) in Riyadh.

Memorial Hall

© Umm Latifa in Saudi Kingdom

in King Abdul-Aziz Historical Center

One of the historical museums of the Kingdom, affiliated by King Abdulaziz Darat. The contents of this museum constitute a major component of King Abdulaziz Darat. Specialized in King Abdulaziz's history, remainings, personal effects, and features of his personal and public life. Composed of three groups:
1 - bibliography of King Abdulaziz including written texts, some portraits and photographs reflecting his bibliography, growth and efforts to unify the country.
2 - the private library of King Abdul Aziz that includes collection of rare files, periodicals and volumes that had collected during his life, reaching to around (1,551) volumes.
3 - composed of historic acquired pieces, photos, maps, pertinent to King Abdulaziz and the history of the state during his reign. In addition to various riffles, swords, daggers, bayonets, and Saudi coins.

Khazzan Street
Tel. No. : 01-401 1999

source: www.arriyadh.com

lake in Wadi Hanifa

Saudi Women at artificial lake in Wadi Hanifa. It was a lovely day - almost no people around - quite unusual for such a site... Exams helped us to avoid crowds and spent nice evening there. 

Saudi Family on the Edge

© Umm Latifa in Saudi Kingdom

Saudi Families on weekends tend to shop or visit their family members. Picnics are popular, sight seeing not necessarily. 

Men holding hands

© Umm Latifa in Saudi Kingdom

Nothing strange in Saudi Arabia. 

Although Saudi men rarely hold their hands in public, you may spot a few "couples" walking in this way from time to time. It is still considered more "normal", then holding a hand of your wife. But this approach to husband and wife expressing their feeling of closeness by holding hands in the street or mall, seems to change. 

Gradually.