Saturday, September 20, 2008

riyadh

It's been years since the time I last set foot in the land of gardens after spring rains, the land of palm trees and dates: Riyadh. I really miss it there and the stuff I used to do there, the food that I used to eat, the places where we used to go on a usual hot day. Part of me is Riyadh and it will forever be. 

I just saw some pictures that a friend took while she was still in Riyadh and that's the reason behind this blog entry. I just wanted to share the things that has been part of my life. Though Filipinos are not that free there, they still manage to have fun given that there are a lot of restrictions. From the city, they go to Dammam or Al-khobar during Ramadan vacations just to have fun along its shores. Malls never ran out of Filipino faces. There will always be one or two families that roam around shopping malls every day. The population of Filipinos in the middle east increases every year. The population of students alone would comprise a big number of Filipinos. When i was still studying there, there was about 8 Filipino schools providing education for our kababayans. The largest of which is the International Philippine School in Riyadh(IPSR) and the Second Philippine International School(SPIS) in Riyadh with over 1500 students each. Oh well, I guess WE are everywhere.

Here are some photos that I took from my friend's multiply account and some other websites:


the infamous red sand


the hidden valley


the half moon beach in Al Khobar


Saudi Kabsa: YOU CAN'T HELP BUT PIG OUT

Cakes

My all time favorite: SHAWARMA
Its not the shawarma available in the Philippines. Its way different from the original. The stuff inside the pita are: chicken(lots of it, the one you see above), fries and pickles. There is also another variety which is the bigger one. It has a thinner pita and there's added herbs and tomatoes.

Galaxy Chocolates
Of all the chocolates i've tasted, this one is my favorite. It's almost similar to Cadbury but its still is different. My favorite variety is Galaxy ripple. Its like stik-o made of chocolate with shredded(??) chocolates inside to make that melting feel a bit more exciting. Haha.

Rani Juice Drinks
No. 1 in my juice drink list until now. Never found anything close to Rani. What makes it different is the fruit pulps with the drink. It comes with orange, peach, mango and pineapple. Its a fun version of your regular tropicana with pulp.

Jarir Bookstore: The best in town.

Philippine Embassy: Basketball Court
This where every school activity is held. From the foundation week, the basketball intramurals and our prom. Lot's of memories there.

Philippine Embassy: I-dont-know-the-name Hall
We took our UPCAT inside.

The Al Mamlaka (Kingdom) Tower and Al-Faisaliyah Tower
The thing that makes them special are the malls situated at the foot of the buildings. We usually go to Faisaliyah(pyramid-like structure) every weekend just to window shop and pig out at Little Caesar's or the  Cheesecake factory.

Millennium International School: Highschool Days

My favorite spot
Its a almost a similar view from our rooftop. When i just need some quiet time, I go there and just stare at the two marvel, each changing colors from time to time. Its my zone.

12 comments:

escape said...

ayos! ganda nga ng view. buti at nakapunta ka na doon. see you in few days.

Anonymous said...

wow, thanks for sharing ;-) those are really good shots and i felt the character of the place jumping out at me ;-)

the cakes look delish!

atto aryo said...

i've always known the KSA as boring, primarily because of the myriad restrictions to the freedoms we are accustomed to. but i'd still like to be there one day, if only for the variety.

Anonymous said...

The Saudi kabsa is interesting, but I'll stop to englut myself on this. I'll go for the cakes. :) Lovely photos.

Care to exchange links?

Khalid Alkhalid said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Khalid Alkhalid said...

Wow, what great shots. You should be a profissional photographer.

I am Saudi and I am really happy that there is a big Philippine community there in the eastern province. I have many friends from Philippines. You guys are good people. When everybody respect rules, there are no problems. I hope that you enjoy there, and who have not been there, I hope that you visit us.

Paalam
:)

Anonymous said...

I worked in Riyadh Saudi Arabia for 11 long years, Now im here in Sydney Australia, though all my relatives advices me to forget this country, I can't help myself still i insist that my life in saudi is far better than were im living now. I missed saudi so much! i considered it my second home.This is were i found myslef,develop friends.I missed the food,the places,the people, the way of life, everything that is inside. I hope i can visit beautiful country or rather go back again

Anonymous said...

I MISSED YOU SO MUCH MY BELOVED SAUDI ARABIA ESPECIALLY RIYADH!!! ALTHOUGH IM A FILIPINO I HOPE I CAN GO BACK TO YOUR ARMS ONCE AGAIN

Benjax said...

i was looking for some pictures of red sand from google when i stumbled upon your blog. and reading your blog made me realize one simple truth, "we really never know whats important unless loose it." Im wokring here in Riyadh. And all that you've mentioned in your blog are the same things we are experiencing right now. But I dont really treasure them like you do. Its like just a brand new experience. But when i read how you expressed your feelings. It made me realize that when i come home soon, I will be having that same feeling you have right now. Only to reminise and recall the glory-old-days in picutres. "We only live once. Treasure each minute like its the last. Never take life for granted." cheers! Asalam Malaykum! Shuk'ran. Ma'salam!

Benjax said...

i was looking for some pictures of red sand from google when i stumbled upon your blog. and reading your blog made me realize one simple truth, "we really never know whats important unless loose it." Im wokring here in Riyadh. And all that you've mentioned in your blog are the same things we are experiencing right now. But I dont really treasure them like you do. Its like just a brand new experience. But when i read how you expressed your feelings. It made me realize that when i come home soon, I will be having that same feeling you have right now. Only to reminise and recall the glory-old-days in picutres. "We only live once. Treasure each minute like its the last. Never take life for granted." cheers! Asalam Malaykum! Shuk'ran. Ma'salam!

Benjax said...

I was looking for some pictures of Red Sand on google when i stumbled accross your blog. Reading your blog made me realize one simple reality.."We will never know the value of something unless we loose it." Your words hit home. I presently work here in Riyadh. And I will be leaving for Singapore in a few months to work there. And all the things you mentioned in your blog are all thg things that I am doing now. It made me think, what would I feel when i leave KSA for good? Definetely, Im sure, that when i leave, i will be feeling the exact same feeling you have right now. Cherishing the moments while we are still here. Yes, this country is super-strict. But we filipinos always find ways to smile and have fun. Im sure when that time comes, i will also be reminiscing my moments like you are now. Lesson learned, "Never take life for granted. Cherish each moment like its your last. Life is too short." Cheers! Asalam Malaykum! Shuk'ran. Ma'Salam.

Benjax said...

I was looking for some pictures of Red Sand on google when i stumbled accross your blog. Reading your blog made me realize one simple reality.."We will never know the value of something unless we loose it." Your words hit home. I presently work here in Riyadh. And I will be leaving for Singapore in a few months to work there. And all the things you mentioned in your blog are all thg things that I am doing now. It made me think, what would I feel when i leave KSA for good? Definetely, Im sure, that when i leave, i will be feeling the exact same feeling you have right now. Cherishing the moments while we are still here. Yes, this country is super-strict. But we filipinos always find ways to smile and have fun. Im sure when that time comes, i will also be reminiscing my moments like you are now. Lesson learned, "Never take life for granted. Cherish each moment like its your last. Life is too short." Cheers! Asalam Malaykum! Shuk'ran. Ma'Salam.