Taif, Saudi Arabia

When my family visited in December we decided to do some traveling in Saudi, rather than traveling somewhere else in the Middle East. We chose to travel to Jeddah and nearby Taif, mainly because we wanted something that was easily accessible and not too far off the beaten track.

Here are some photos from the area around Taif, a city in the mountains 2 hours drive from Jeddah.

One of the biggest attractions were, quite surprisingly, baboons. Maybe because all the water parks were closed.

The last few kilometres the road was anything but straight.

Lots of hazy weather because of the changes in temperature. Our woollen sweaters did get a good exercise while in Taif.

See the building immediately to the left of the bridge, that was our hotel. Do. Not. Recommend. It. If you wake me twice during the night just to check what time I want my breakfast the next morning, I will not be a happy camper!!!

I have a feeling Taif becomes overloaded with Jeddawis during the hotter summer months, hence all the water parks. Good for a one night stay I'd say, but not longer.

Pedal to the metal

 

So driving is off limits to women here in Saudi Arabia. I will not go on about the reasoning behind it and will not dwell on how I feel about it. Let me say that it is annoying and makes life a bit inconvenient (understatement of the year...)

 

So tonight I am speeding using a different sort of engine: my sewing machine. What can I say, you take what you can get after a while. Here I'm working away on some doll blankets for my neighbours daughter.

 

I guess I could have used a cutesy, girly fabric, but instead I went with bright, bold and, quite frankly, annoying. This is a pillowcase that is now being repurposed, because I just can not live with a king bed that is covered in this pattern. What you see in this shocking quality photo is actually the least migraine inducing part of the fabric.

 

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Life before Google

Imagine life before Google, or before internet for that matter?! Its crazy to think that our daughter will grow up with mobile phones, wi fi, internet, blogging, e-mail etc being the norm, not knowing what was before all that! It makes me feel privileged being the generation that got to witness these type of changes. I still remember the first time I searched for a book at the library with help of a computer, can you believe it?!

So what am I googling at the moment? The words "toddler" and "sleep" in combination with other words such as "refusing", "no naps" etc. Also keen on finding out more on "bilingualism", sine my daughter's pediatrician thinks it's "bad, VERY bad" (insert Lebanese accent here).

Another favourite is "real estate" and everything relating to it. It would be SO much easier if you did not have to worry about, pests, flood areas, city plans and all the rest!

Words of the day - Dagens ord

Niiiice! This I believe she picked up from her little BFF who impresses us with a flood of words. Our daughter, not so much. But we are getting there :)
Tom (meaning 'empty')
Nam! (meaning 'yum')

Happy New (KitKat) Year

Happy New Year to everyone! No resolutions for this year (either). Many resolve to eat more healthy in the new year, our daughter seems to be planning the opposite... Below was her contribution on this year's first trip to the grocery store. Needless to say, none of these crispy delights made their way past the checkout, but one does what one has to do to keep a little tired and bored person happy while waiting in line...

Lilla fröken drar sitt strå till stacken när vi är och handlar mat. Inte en enda fick följa med hem, men hon var sysselsatt en god stund med att lasta domhär i kärran, medan jag och mannen plockade bort dom... Gott Nytt År allihopa! Ta nu en bit choklad, det har (väl) aldrig skadat någon!

 

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An almost empty nest

 

It has been quiet here on the blog while I have been busy elsewhere. I had the pleasure of having my family over for the past few weeks. We had a great time with lots of laughs, good food and some adventure to boot!

 

I have just waived my brother off, seems like it was only yesterday that he landed on Saudi soil. His visits are never long because of work, but something is always better than nothing!

 

I'm sitting here in the candlelight trying to get used to a house that all of a sudden is so empty and quiet. Until next time!

 

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Time out

No, I'm not talking about toddler discipline. I am talking about a time out from the daily grind. 

Last week me and the young one decided to turn our backs at the dishes in the sink, the laundry towering out of the baskets, the toys spread around the floor... Instead we spent a whole morning in enjoy the gardens of our compound. Drinking coffee, eating crackers and raisins, playing on the slides... Good fun! Note to self: must do this more often.