tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70956863250174058042024-03-12T16:05:05.024-07:00Munchie MusingsMs. Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17258594301188325915noreply@blogger.comBlogger891125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-43544420098494928492023-03-11T12:17:00.005-08:002023-03-11T12:22:05.481-08:00Blog upate<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZaiXE9_HBOvPTttpVYAHhV5oinVeZsvkqfD4FGvCtQZhiHz8AvRcQB6jbl4gak83xhBDMBKCZ_r7SgxhGkNGk4wcY9PS8JtDnii9zQ-iTG9KHa1AqRMvEidXFmU6J7eSJ1an2S2_PudKPpP358iJqTmDtlGrVBHVsmpPZBqOEz_drwP0dwZeZ1huAw/s3338/PXL_20230201_230241177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2370" data-original-width="3338" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZaiXE9_HBOvPTttpVYAHhV5oinVeZsvkqfD4FGvCtQZhiHz8AvRcQB6jbl4gak83xhBDMBKCZ_r7SgxhGkNGk4wcY9PS8JtDnii9zQ-iTG9KHa1AqRMvEidXFmU6J7eSJ1an2S2_PudKPpP358iJqTmDtlGrVBHVsmpPZBqOEz_drwP0dwZeZ1huAw/s320/PXL_20230201_230241177.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This blog is pretty much inactive as we move to more visual mediums such as Instagram and TikTok as well as freelance writing.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Please see my list of freelance articles <a href="http://www.munchiemusings.net/p/writings-elsewhere.html">here</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Please follow me on TikTok at: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@ms_munchie">@ms_munchie</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />Please follow me on Instagram at: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/munchiemusings">@munchiemusings</a></span></p>Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-63724530831213240772020-08-01T06:49:00.002-07:002020-08-01T06:49:54.866-07:00California Avocados are in season and perfect for the summer<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYZj37H8QgtW29KwgJXvSuwtWuAisfuDG1UWWJREHaAldbchmbxFQK-VaCQzi82QST5aUocDzNvVDSmMKCKqiGbP1nHhrYTzHEQqyNRWWX6-dJgtZRDpETheDywJ8mmzrFGmnOFFIGnQ3/s4000/IMG_20200730_183823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="california avocado lobster roll" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYZj37H8QgtW29KwgJXvSuwtWuAisfuDG1UWWJREHaAldbchmbxFQK-VaCQzi82QST5aUocDzNvVDSmMKCKqiGbP1nHhrYTzHEQqyNRWWX6-dJgtZRDpETheDywJ8mmzrFGmnOFFIGnQ3/w300-h400/IMG_20200730_183823.jpg" title="california avocado lobster roll" width="300" /></a></div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><font face="verdana">When I was growing up there were no avocados around. I was in the Middle East in the 70s and there were many foods such as avocados, figs, and squash that I had never been exposed to. I didn't have my first avocado until my college years. It took some time for me to grow into them. At first it was the avocado pasta salad I would make at my job at a fresh pasta store. (This has since become my favorite potluck dish to bring because it's always a hit.) Then I learned to appreciate guacamole.</font><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">We truly are spoiled with avocados in California. On the east coast it can be hard to even find avocados and a side of extra half avocado for a salad can cost $5. Californians enjoy avocados year round, no problem.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstcgYAPsMurSqFO_JtTbbJbdhfDmZNDU7xIliGJArF0yrHZrfNmWA6v0qZrQjhWxJsOxtLU6ldiviufGTijcHua34HtKLoy6UIsoFAEdS7XBA4c9Fh6mWfB2awS7KCkUK9s8WdyRcqlq8/s1600/avocado+toast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstcgYAPsMurSqFO_JtTbbJbdhfDmZNDU7xIliGJArF0yrHZrfNmWA6v0qZrQjhWxJsOxtLU6ldiviufGTijcHua34HtKLoy6UIsoFAEdS7XBA4c9Fh6mWfB2awS7KCkUK9s8WdyRcqlq8/w400-h285/avocado+toast.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Right now we are in the middle of the season - March through September. It's no wonder we love it for summer barbecues. <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">There are eight varieties of avocados grown commercially in California, with the Hass variety accounting for approximately 96 percent of the total crop volume. Bacon, Fuerte, Gwen, Lamb Hass, Pinkerton, Reed, Zutano and now the GEM varieties also are grown in the state. </span></font></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="verdana"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY7gq0qc715exZsj7_2pwyTTLd7K7dn9ijXhxQ8OTc7lABM5hErxB_KtIa2PxmZjj0xj6fJsNnktrhmDVY0HEwKX5cOXr318SOW1vf2pGL0Mt6T20GQFvQmB0n0S8FtaiWuAHY7VgJW9q/s1178/1111aaaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="922" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY7gq0qc715exZsj7_2pwyTTLd7K7dn9ijXhxQ8OTc7lABM5hErxB_KtIa2PxmZjj0xj6fJsNnktrhmDVY0HEwKX5cOXr318SOW1vf2pGL0Mt6T20GQFvQmB0n0S8FtaiWuAHY7VgJW9q/w251-h320/1111aaaa.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>Keto followers, like myself, have changed the old saying of "An apple a day..." to "An avocado a day..." The reason is because of the healthy fat, fiber, and nutrition packed into them. </font></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-e88135ba-7fff-1d58-3674-13bd44f76e68"><font face="verdana"><ol style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 1.75pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heart-healthy California avocados provide “good” fats to one’s diet.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 1.75pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">California avocados are a heart-healthy fruit and a good source of fiber</span><span style="color: red; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Consuming foods rich in fiber may reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity and diabetes</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 1.75pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One-third of a medium avocado (50 g) contains 6% of the Daily Value for vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects body tissue from damage and helps keep the immune system strong.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 1.75pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One-third of a medium avocado (50 g) has 80 calories and contributes nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, making it a nutrient-dense choice. </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 1.75pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">California avocados act as a “nutrient booster” by helping increase the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients like vitamins A, D, K and E.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 1.75pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">California avocados are heart-healthy fruit that are naturally sodium-, cholesterol- sugar- and trans fat-free.</span></p></li></ol><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Time to go out and enjoy our California bounty!</span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks to California Avocados for the facts and picture.</span></div></font></span></div>Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-56265861639066981532019-12-24T18:52:00.001-08:002019-12-24T18:52:29.537-08:00Twelve Year AnniversaryThis blog is officially 12 years old and yet you probably wonder why it's been pretty bare this last year or so.<br />
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I've been blessed with so many connections, friends, and opportunities with this blog over the last decade-plus. Unfortunately, this style of blog is pretty much dated and dead. Everything is more visual today with Instagram stories and YouTube channels. You may find more of me on these other channels. Meanwhile, this blog has become what blogs originally were intended for. It's an online personal diary for me. That's why most of my postings in 2019 were of my adventures in Saudi Arabia and my trip to Europe.<br />
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I'm still around and still participating in the Sacramento food scene, just not posting here as much. Catch you around town!Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-28946301468337226722019-10-07T20:58:00.000-07:002019-10-07T20:58:01.535-07:00Revival's Rooftop Garden Dinner is October 18<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZlsj7npwH53azNUkUjfcBZRJo7uDhYJRmA8vO1EwwO7QZOzMJof6QZlnRNvWfAp8PGjOi_sO9Vxz7HP3nPtai0VVNWUYk0S4P7XC661IHk7AgZ0bw_kRc6C4ZadlTVDgsWhScFsKvWGf/s1600/IMG_20190727_202528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZlsj7npwH53azNUkUjfcBZRJo7uDhYJRmA8vO1EwwO7QZOzMJof6QZlnRNvWfAp8PGjOi_sO9Vxz7HP3nPtai0VVNWUYk0S4P7XC661IHk7AgZ0bw_kRc6C4ZadlTVDgsWhScFsKvWGf/s640/IMG_20190727_202528.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you enjoy dining outside in Sacramento, then I have a new suggested spot for you. It's a bit exclusive since they only do these dinners a few times a year. Imagine dining on a rooftop near Golden 1 Center with great views of the surrounding city. This is what the Revival Garden Dinners offer you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coming up in October you can enjoy a meal during the evening hours on the 5th floor of the Sawyer Hotel. There you will find their small rooftop garden where Chef Patrick Prager has been growing such things as peppers, tomatoes, squash, melons, and herbs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was both lucky and unlucky to attend in August. The unlucky was only because that was possibly the hottest day of the whole summer. It was so freakin hot. But I was super lucky to enjoy a fabulous meal where every dish was so flavorful that we all had a hard time picking favorites. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't miss out on the last rooftop dinner of the year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Details for the October dinner:</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.revivalsacramento.com/&source=gmail&ust=1570592839438000&usg=AFQjCNEbd9lUsSyAo4GO8uZzTSpFJ1rSUw" href="https://www.revivalsacramento.com/" target="_blank">Revival</a><span class="m_-7131423207606568118apple-converted-space"> </span>Executive Chef Patrick Prager is hosting his next Autumn Garden Dinner Series event on Fri, Oct 18. Set in Chef’s rooftop garden at The Sawyer, the intimate sunset dinner will have incredible view of the city, live music, and, of course, delicious food and drink.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This very special evening is hosted in partnership with San Francisco-based Chef Justin Deering of Scala’s restaurant and in collaboration with Justin Wines. Festivities kick off at 6 pm with cocktails and passed appetizers, with dinner to follow. The menu features seasonal favorites prepared by both chefs, featuring fresh ingredients right out of the garden.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tickets are $150 and available<span class="m_-7131423207606568118apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.sevenrooms.com/events/ahNzfnNldmVucm9vbXMtc2VjdXJlchwLEg9uaWdodGxvb3BfVmVudWUYgICww_nouQoM?event_id%3DahNzfnNldmVucm9vbXMtc2VjdXJlcjYLEg9uaWdodGxvb3BfVmVudWUYgICww_nouQoMCxIQc3JfR2VuVmVudWVFdmVudBjksO-RDww&source=gmail&ust=1570592839438000&usg=AFQjCNEf1zZ2Qs0ZYyygwCq-6Dy18roVUw" href="https://www.sevenrooms.com/events/ahNzfnNldmVucm9vbXMtc2VjdXJlchwLEg9uaWdodGxvb3BfVmVudWUYgICww_nouQoM?event_id=ahNzfnNldmVucm9vbXMtc2VjdXJlcjYLEg9uaWdodGxvb3BfVmVudWUYgICww_nouQoMCxIQc3JfR2VuVmVudWVFdmVudBjksO-RDww" target="_blank">here</a><span class="m_-7131423207606568118apple-converted-space"> </span>or by calling 916-389-4081</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-4660466367434846812019-09-28T19:57:00.000-07:002019-10-02T19:02:03.721-07:00Festival of Flavors <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigJV5IjU1ET-VnKJENt5zkRbyqsRqY0kLxLny06zvhlWWJ73Xtu-EpIK5fcvAKVYPXZR7h8XEmaVwnAfYK5s9fuciau6HZoSJBlQjPcvU4dLXoEkoD1tOhxhkwyuiDrwyAoXsRPS7hCQz/s1600/e2cc94ef-1ee6-407a-8fda-9a3414ba69b2-250.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="243" data-original-width="220" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigJV5IjU1ET-VnKJENt5zkRbyqsRqY0kLxLny06zvhlWWJ73Xtu-EpIK5fcvAKVYPXZR7h8XEmaVwnAfYK5s9fuciau6HZoSJBlQjPcvU4dLXoEkoD1tOhxhkwyuiDrwyAoXsRPS7hCQz/s400/e2cc94ef-1ee6-407a-8fda-9a3414ba69b2-250.gif" width="362" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In these rather tumultuous and divisive times, it is good to celebrate humanity and the good in people to help those less fortunate. That's why I am recommending the upcoming <a href="https://festivalofflavors.brownpapertickets.com/?fbclid=IwAR1ii0OqGhC31CVma6B0J6T10dmoxjPGVfJRAWgpCFXgHMwPrlOhXBj0UkA">Festival of Flavors</a>. This event takes place on October 5th in support of <a href="http://www.openingdoorsinc.org/">Opening Doors</a>. I went last year and the event was one of the better ones I've attended, certainly for the price and the food that was on hand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our mission is to empower refugees, immigrants, human trafficking survivors, and underserved Sacramento area residents to achieve self-sufficiency by accessing opportunities to mainstream economic and social systems. We do this by providing safe places, skills development, business loans, and connections to community resources, assisting our clients to build financial and personal assets while maintaining their cultural identity and individual goals.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm especially interested due to the immigrant and refugee situation. I often think about the Syrian family who took us in for the night when we were traveling through Syria in the 1970s. They fed us and gave us their rooms with such generosity. Now I wonder where they are as Syria has been ripped apart and whole cities and towns have been obliterated. Are they even alive? Together?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This even<span style="background-color: white;">t will feature a diverse group of restaurants and businesses that wish to help in the effort of </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">empowering refugees, immigrants, and survivors of human trafficking.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Purchase your tickets </span><span style="color: #36495f; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001Mc5xJQ6rMm-iIABo1Zh-rKk350aTu7MiXGhcEDG-Eb3KpTAaBs8jwyMnXzxejH_3ZoaJK1K40zqkGeU8azaCTGBAQDywKxZ_B5a36NHXwZv-go6H_SvWY7O02jnTre_piC_Ke0TsgRg%3D%26c%3DRqlwefXWbac8fkcVxn0tkeK6wBW_JTfubAcZYTMRtZoloEMbyQXVsQ%3D%3D%26ch%3D2ykxp_us-5Nr8Ij8317iWnWwe45YMH8kEzB5IoTta-AyNtSzzUm_Og%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1538793323981000&usg=AFQjCNF65N5--L-XI-ggOc8c-9A7FQ9aqw" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Mc5xJQ6rMm-iIABo1Zh-rKk350aTu7MiXGhcEDG-Eb3KpTAaBs8jwyMnXzxejH_3ZoaJK1K40zqkGeU8azaCTGBAQDywKxZ_B5a36NHXwZv-go6H_SvWY7O02jnTre_piC_Ke0TsgRg=&c=RqlwefXWbac8fkcVxn0tkeK6wBW_JTfubAcZYTMRtZoloEMbyQXVsQ==&ch=2ykxp_us-5Nr8Ij8317iWnWwe45YMH8kEzB5IoTta-AyNtSzzUm_Og==" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">today</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Free admission for volunteers. </span><span style="color: #36495f; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="mailto:volunteers@openingdoorsinc.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Email if interested.</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">$45 for food only.</span><span style="color: #36495f; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Location: Sierra 2 Center in Curtis Hall</span></b><span style="color: #36495f; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">2791 24th Street</span><span style="color: #36495f; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Sacramento, CA 95818</span><span style="color: #36495f; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-24630559255302653532019-08-25T16:54:00.001-07:002019-08-25T16:54:42.307-07:00Beekeeper for a day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bmJuAmJNvF_yjPW9EBFba1seszrpvQytlFVmMySxjjvUO9L1d0rzpIB3GAdu87mm1ll-Ljs1Lou1EUE8iyLOw6g7Aw8L1j4UmwC6FIal8xikg5SWgxdnDK-HC_VotXgc5Kj91n_zhBwj/s1600/IMG_20190825_121035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bmJuAmJNvF_yjPW9EBFba1seszrpvQytlFVmMySxjjvUO9L1d0rzpIB3GAdu87mm1ll-Ljs1Lou1EUE8iyLOw6g7Aw8L1j4UmwC6FIal8xikg5SWgxdnDK-HC_VotXgc5Kj91n_zhBwj/s640/IMG_20190825_121035.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been a little depressed lately with the state of the world. More than the current politics, it's the destruction of this planet that has me feeling so low. I was thinking the other day that in the span of my lifetime alone (55 years), we have killed off about 60% of the world's wildlife, created zillions of tons of plastics and spread it so that even the smallest of sea creatures show plastic ingestion, sped up global warming, and now the Amazon, producer of 20% of our oxygen, is being wiped out by fires. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a grim beginning to a post, I know. I did get a little bit of sunshine (literally and figuratively) today with a bunch of bees. The decimation of bees is also added to our list of environmental woes and so it was with this in mind that I decided to have a beekeeping experience today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is an Airbnb Experience called <a href="http://www.hivetospoon.com/">Hive to Spoon</a> that takes place in nearby Davis. For about two hours you get some bee education as well as a chance to handle some bees.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xdgeL0m5JZw6dk18ITKcMO8Oy3iV0waou3EqpD7f_FbVXsfk5CYdM0EeR4GLYLkIOcjZTQd3A3U_H8QuKSYfTItGD5Esu41dTbXwanoQQKzgSJWbDlptspTEc7yXgo3Eu_YLdUqx7Kbk/s1600/IMG_20190825_112315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xdgeL0m5JZw6dk18ITKcMO8Oy3iV0waou3EqpD7f_FbVXsfk5CYdM0EeR4GLYLkIOcjZTQd3A3U_H8QuKSYfTItGD5Esu41dTbXwanoQQKzgSJWbDlptspTEc7yXgo3Eu_YLdUqx7Kbk/s320/IMG_20190825_112315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tour takes place at an agro-community in Davis called The Cannery. New housing is being developed in an area that once housed tomato fields and an actual cannery. Some of the land has been preserved for agriculture and education purposes. My friends at <a href="https://landbasedlearning.org/">The Center for Land Based Learning</a> take care of a portion of it and use it as incubator acreage for newbie or wannabe farmers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the 'farmers' using the land is Rachel Morrison, our guide for the day. Rachel </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">is the President of the Sacramento Area Beekeepers Association, a participant in California Master Beekeeper Program, and the founder of The Beecharmers. Her love of bees started years ago in Alabama and now she manages several hives in the Sacramento area and shares her love of bees through education for adults and children.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">We start off by a native bee house. It turns out that there are about 1,600 native bees in California but the honeybees that we all think of for pollinating our agriculture were actually brought over from Europe. Honeybees live in colonies in hives, but native bees most often live solitary lives in holes in the ground, trees, or other habitats. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gq7uWDNZdyTLwvb9_dnbbCJpm7DVty1hp7iRYytqR7OVdfUPOGzc8U5EBeH7yqEo-ycQFVdtqnhICAhktUO9aCB24Zdl5-DFGAjheEcq-o_ouYjk_HGfjeePmoXlfirNacl7teDPVn7t/s1600/IMG_20190825_111603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gq7uWDNZdyTLwvb9_dnbbCJpm7DVty1hp7iRYytqR7OVdfUPOGzc8U5EBeH7yqEo-ycQFVdtqnhICAhktUO9aCB24Zdl5-DFGAjheEcq-o_ouYjk_HGfjeePmoXlfirNacl7teDPVn7t/s200/IMG_20190825_111603.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">The native bee house has different sized bamboo tubes for the variety of bees. The female bee will enter it, lay an egg with some nourishment for the hatching larva, seal a wall, and then do another chamber. Here, at the bottom, you can see some sealed bee tubes. By the way, they sell houses at Costco and Target. Just be aware that the ones shown here are not ideal. Rachel says they need a bit of overhang on the roofs to provide a bit of shade. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">We continue through the garden area where Rachel points out a couple of bee varieties. Some are tiny and mistaken as flies. She's given us bee guns, which are actually small vacuum guns that can suck up a bee into a chamber so you can look at it up close safely.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eventually it is time to suit up in full beekeeping gear. It's a hot day and I am thankful that the hives are in a shady area.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rachel explains the makeup of the hive - how it is organized internally. The nursery section is in the core of the hive and honey will be stored at the outer edges of the hive. She carefully pulls out sections of a hive and passes it around so that we can examine the different areas and the bees in action. The bees are oblivious to us and don't seem to care that we are messing with their home. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Above are some newly laid eggs in a new section of the nursery.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZ4acLWVKIAYnp6s2zfgvzPtU7zhMUP99RqEkMao1ZQ1Ehbd-YpN8mLOvnJjVUu7zuMqPw3CZwc9y2bbc9IH9I09JKPE0WorL5c2Q2SF8Muxn0zRiP4ETNV0dbZm2fGXTYkoWZI1OT-wZ/s1600/IMG_20190825_121230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZ4acLWVKIAYnp6s2zfgvzPtU7zhMUP99RqEkMao1ZQ1Ehbd-YpN8mLOvnJjVUu7zuMqPw3CZwc9y2bbc9IH9I09JKPE0WorL5c2Q2SF8Muxn0zRiP4ETNV0dbZm2fGXTYkoWZI1OT-wZ/s400/IMG_20190825_121230.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">This section is a well established section of the breeding area. You can see the filled cells that have growing larva and food for them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">This section shows how the center has the breeding cells but the outer corner has honey cells. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">This slat is from a more established hive and is completely used for honey production. The honey is what will sustain the bees over the winter. It is the beekeeper's responsibility to only take some of the honey from a hive and leave enough for the bees to make it through the winter. When harvesting, Rachel will scrape off the surface membrane and shake the honey out with a centrifuge. Then she will replace the empty combs back into the hive so the bees can refill them. She scrapes a tiny section to expose the honey underneath and show us how the bees immediately rush in to repair the seal.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDYbYvnPjehZj9fOAn48gIo8sJ-NEYTSqu6La2PCe-olSvEv5WGOMyvpyRE5KRaZ58tuaLTXClumZFwPfgtGs0WpP7hBgUSKPg4VKOXqSzPr2AAMd9WRwxBLpqShlGSgaOOFIqaSVwqel/s1600/IMG_20190825_122657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDYbYvnPjehZj9fOAn48gIo8sJ-NEYTSqu6La2PCe-olSvEv5WGOMyvpyRE5KRaZ58tuaLTXClumZFwPfgtGs0WpP7hBgUSKPg4VKOXqSzPr2AAMd9WRwxBLpqShlGSgaOOFIqaSVwqel/s640/IMG_20190825_122657.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">We weren't able to find a queen bee today, but she did notice a couple of drone bees. They have bigger eyes than worker bees. Their sole purpose is to fly off and find a queen somewhere that they can mate with. Note the comb of darker honey underneath the bees. A hive could have different color honey as the available flowers in the area change during the season.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">After our hive experience we sat down for a light snack of honey, almonds, and fruit and some cold water to re-hydrate. The two hours had flown by. There was a lot of information that was shared that I won't even try to cover in a post. After all, it's more fun if you go to do a </span></span><a href="http://www.hivetospoon.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hive to Spoon</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"> experience of your own. </span></span></div>
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Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-11852806719475283192019-07-15T20:49:00.000-07:002019-07-15T20:49:38.647-07:00Are you busy the weekend of July 27th?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHdzWbOre_UcPXkpVBX2F-wK9IRXSRwj_YJfnMueR9rzvmSh6-iw-ohv3yl0VbHbnvGq7oARNZj2KSi-N7EAB4SMVOnrqmapjpYmZft-jBuHqaoODN5-Pp0eJ2SlPrQoQq2fj8KpW5694/s1600/20160821_170053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHdzWbOre_UcPXkpVBX2F-wK9IRXSRwj_YJfnMueR9rzvmSh6-iw-ohv3yl0VbHbnvGq7oARNZj2KSi-N7EAB4SMVOnrqmapjpYmZft-jBuHqaoODN5-Pp0eJ2SlPrQoQq2fj8KpW5694/s640/20160821_170053.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why is it that everything always gets scheduled on the same dates? I've been back from Saudi for over a month now and bored during the weekends. Now I'm frustrated because a bunch of events that I am interested in all land on the same weekend. Some of these may be of interest to you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://cochon555.com/us-tour/2019-heritagefirenapa/">Heritage Fire</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Many of you know that this is my FAVORITE food event of the year and I generally go if I can. Problem is it is on a Saturday when other things are competing for my attention this year. This meat fest takes place at the Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena and features a couple dozen of Northern California's best chefs. The premise is every type of meat being cooked over open flame. This year, so far, the Sacramento chefs representing are Patricio Wise of <a href="https://www.nixta.co/">Nixtacos</a> and Eric Miller from <a href="https://www.vmillermeats.com/">V Miller Meats</a>. I'm not sure what is delaying the chef update, but we usually have a couple more Sac chefs there. Regardless, if I tell you it's my favorite, that should be enough of an endorsement to go. My <a href="http://www.munchiemusings.net/2016/08/team-ella-at-heritage-fire.html">past post</a> will give you a good idea of what to expect. </span><a href="https://cochon555.com/us-tour/2019-heritagefirenapa/" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Tickets </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4avpC4Sp76LjiJJiTWY-8EI08vs9GW857i7Ut7L0xN8-gUNvPUJyDKyzr1V9kdkKhrhK9CE_lcD3ZBkc50KN3GcrWO2BaLVk8zCsSWVJ0OwSziaD1R1q_BGD04-xnhunEdXSWk1R9mtd/s1600/Revival+Poolside+Patio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4avpC4Sp76LjiJJiTWY-8EI08vs9GW857i7Ut7L0xN8-gUNvPUJyDKyzr1V9kdkKhrhK9CE_lcD3ZBkc50KN3GcrWO2BaLVk8zCsSWVJ0OwSziaD1R1q_BGD04-xnhunEdXSWk1R9mtd/s400/Revival+Poolside+Patio.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Garden Rooftop Dinner with Chef Patrick Prager</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">I didn't know that the Sawyer Hotel and Revival Nightclub/Bar had their very own rooftop garden until I got an invitation to a special dinner for the night of Saturday, July 27th. Apparently it's time to harvest some of the bounty to be used by the restaurant and for homemade mixers and garnishes by the Revival barkeeps. To showcase their green thumb achievements, there is a special dinner planned. </span><span style="background-color: white;">It’s a farm-to-fork, family-style menu paired with Silt wine on the open-air, 5</span><sup style="background-color: white;">th </sup><span style="background-color: white;">floor garden terrace. The event kicks off at 6:30pm with cocktails and appetizers with dinner to follow. </span></span><a href="https://www.sevenrooms.com/events/revivalsacramento" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tickets </a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What else am I to choose from? An invitation for an all-day white water rafting trip with friends as well as the </span><a href="https://thundervalleyresort.com/entertainment/events" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Styx concert at Thunder Valley</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. Decisions, decisions!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Other <b>Saturday </b>events that I'm interested in, but just can't go...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/397400770981346/">Taste of East Sacramento</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/899690997044843/">Caribbean Festival</a></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhMUO1T7uGPJLWc89L6aybSAqEbRTg3hvXKW4k90VUhTZIUE5iL6YcIw-xTxfVuog3ZdorGWleqlaPNtNdVSopwPNlHGrmKa03sgfxSGSOvNTnJK0vTJClvr_uGabyIYmNeKDj-D34wLK/s1600/FB_Wings-Save-The-Date-1920x1080.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhMUO1T7uGPJLWc89L6aybSAqEbRTg3hvXKW4k90VUhTZIUE5iL6YcIw-xTxfVuog3ZdorGWleqlaPNtNdVSopwPNlHGrmKa03sgfxSGSOvNTnJK0vTJClvr_uGabyIYmNeKDj-D34wLK/s400/FB_Wings-Save-The-Date-1920x1080.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.sactownwings.com/">Sactown Wings</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another favorite that I can manage is Sactown Wings because it takes place on Sunday, the 28th at Southside Park. If you love wings, then this is the event for you. I eat a lot of wings on my keto diet, so this year I couldn't resist. Local restaurants will compete for your vote for best wings. Come say 'hi'!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Other <b>Sunday </b>events...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/421564208425341/">Pear Fair</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-66948823929314659882019-06-05T23:41:00.001-07:002019-06-05T23:41:05.702-07:00Bites and Walks around Antwerp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5c1vAc4s39WcO0ZSAhoN8XxJetQBvYZE9AAMUGY4arUHp_mu-FvbgRQSEyZWfx8bDY_ekRPgoi4Ad0CgBSDQ8SGF8a_sBTqVyPcrhyWVCOY3LskGVkvHeh0VD1ABrCYxXSOHm13Qcjwzl/s1600/IMG_20190601_103658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5c1vAc4s39WcO0ZSAhoN8XxJetQBvYZE9AAMUGY4arUHp_mu-FvbgRQSEyZWfx8bDY_ekRPgoi4Ad0CgBSDQ8SGF8a_sBTqVyPcrhyWVCOY3LskGVkvHeh0VD1ABrCYxXSOHm13Qcjwzl/s640/IMG_20190601_103658.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wouldn't you take advantage of free airfare for a two-week vacation in Europe? That's what I did on my way home from Saudi Arabia. I decided to hop through Amsterdam, Paris, Antwerp, and Cologne before flying all the way back. It was in Antwerp where I visited Michelle, the one who helped me get the Saudi job. Michelle was so thoughtful to purchase us a food tour for my visit. I would get to try the local specialties and she would get some background for her to share with future visitors.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisa20d8Lsa1mK4HAlfnYXYsJzzzbIDmGFtZiwhFO31U57301jO4GMOaw3aG39xz5GFzWHszcAeZNn1GXiG1CU2wl6q92RBsEbLML47ylTrYxdKVnRa1CH3YqmFlpXzPJx8B80TJ17HZmHF/s1600/IMG_20190601_103653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisa20d8Lsa1mK4HAlfnYXYsJzzzbIDmGFtZiwhFO31U57301jO4GMOaw3aG39xz5GFzWHszcAeZNn1GXiG1CU2wl6q92RBsEbLML47ylTrYxdKVnRa1CH3YqmFlpXzPJx8B80TJ17HZmHF/s320/IMG_20190601_103653.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Michelle was careful to select the tour after one mentioned a stop at Five Guys! Really? Please! Luckily she found Nina, who runs <a href="https://www.bitesandwalks.com/english">Bites and Walks</a>. Nina has grown up in Antwerp with a Belgian mother and Spanish father. She grew up around food and worked in the hotel food industry before deciding to take the leap to start the food tour. You can choose from weekday or weekend, food or beer, private or group tours. We were lucky that my visit included the Saturday market day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some of the highlights. Thanks to Nina for providing proper names, spellings, details.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Belgian breakfast at <span style="background-color: white;">Café The Pelikan (above) which included "Rodenbach beer + grey shrimps + Brugges Cheese + Tagliate Charcuterie, finely sliced from Beef Belgian Wit Blauw (White Blue Belgian Beef breed) topped with celery in a vinegar sauce" </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzQSXlk2uO660I-IytwTK5-SVh4lPuatuR_fPebrOV8BD8NoxwRIWU22pJOIAzTOke04NHXH_gqz3SJ1pGmPrmfG9eC2fi7BiC-4abV1ceMXQRpmyEGldVWBDOE2NRCpjrTMNlHK623UN/s1600/IMG_20190601_110732_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzQSXlk2uO660I-IytwTK5-SVh4lPuatuR_fPebrOV8BD8NoxwRIWU22pJOIAzTOke04NHXH_gqz3SJ1pGmPrmfG9eC2fi7BiC-4abV1ceMXQRpmyEGldVWBDOE2NRCpjrTMNlHK623UN/s320/IMG_20190601_110732_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Antwerpse Handjes from Philippe Biscuit, a patented "biscuit that won a competition back in 1934 to celebrate the battle between Brabo and Antigoon, the legend that tells the story how Antwerp got it’s name." Basically the story is that a giant, Antigoon, demanded a toll at the river or cut off your hand. Brabo defeated Antigoon and cut off <i>his </i>hand and threw it in the river. "Ant" comes from "hand" and "werp" comes from "throw".</span></span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;">"Eel which we just topped of with some drops of lemon. From Soraya, a Moroccan entrepreneur and leading lady from Rungis Fish at the Provinciestraat in Antwerp." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Belgian croquettes are unlike the ones we generally know. These are <i>very </i>moist inside with a very crispy outside. Above we see shrimp, asparagus, and truffle croquettes. Nina explains that it's all about the textural difference between the two, which is also reflected in...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Belgian Frites (fries). This particular batch we tried comes from <a href="https://www.fritesatelier.com/en/antwerp/">Frites Atelier</a>, a fast casual chain from a Michelin star earning chef, Sergio Herman. He researched to find the perfect potato for the texture they prize - double-fried, crispy outside with tender inside. He has a proprietary samphire salt and his own blends of aiolis.<br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">"The herring, intestines removed, salted and matured for some time. Served with chopped onion, which is an old habit. The name MAATJE is very important, it means VIRGIN, it is only caught at sea during the months May and June when the fish haven't spawned. If it is caught after this period, it is called SALT <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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HERRING. The fish is flash frozen for 24 hours because eating raw fish can be dangerous and so that the herring worm will be killed. The reason why we eat onion with it goes way back to the time when it was not as easy as today to conserve fish, so they needed to add much more salt. When they ate the herring they needed to rinse the fish with water and milk. The result was that the herring tasted a bit too bland and onion was added."</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEchm7qSYnLua9czWpUXXeKyd135pqukGrwT-bL3H9t3tIceLk5_YM1lUTAx56pWhWDw6uFiTgL_LhDinVrhdkoaUuu5w7cr57tm1J12iWP3bKIXamz7bfvyqiL45rmY3o35IoThLs51m/s1600/IMG_20190601_112314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEchm7qSYnLua9czWpUXXeKyd135pqukGrwT-bL3H9t3tIceLk5_YM1lUTAx56pWhWDw6uFiTgL_LhDinVrhdkoaUuu5w7cr57tm1J12iWP3bKIXamz7bfvyqiL45rmY3o35IoThLs51m/s320/IMG_20190601_112314.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">There are only a few places left that serve it freshly prepared. Here you see the guy gutting and prepping it fresh for us.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">There were some other stops along the way for pastries, Belgian chocolate, and sites, but I don't want to give <i>everything </i>away. And you may have noticed that our tour was food only since our small group had agreed we weren't too interested in alcohol that early. So, if in Antwerp, look Nina up at </span><a href="https://www.bitesandwalks.com/english">Bites and Walks</a> and you can schedule the tour with her tailored to your needs!</span></div>
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Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-6824633631624095512019-06-02T11:00:00.000-07:002019-06-02T11:00:21.656-07:00Dining in the dark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6WTROW70JKGxozGpMgc_8vuNo7pISDTlsVhowjKe-vuCsrWgLA-TS04o2JvkVUjvQK2bU_wxTBQs5S-YfXVH7S3_SjoQX_Gm3n-480ZNi4zQFjSSaSETwDR-BufBmH7Gos3EoPPM_ICj/s1600/2000px-Flag_of_Afghanistan_%25281880%25E2%2580%25931901%2529.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6WTROW70JKGxozGpMgc_8vuNo7pISDTlsVhowjKe-vuCsrWgLA-TS04o2JvkVUjvQK2bU_wxTBQs5S-YfXVH7S3_SjoQX_Gm3n-480ZNi4zQFjSSaSETwDR-BufBmH7Gos3EoPPM_ICj/s400/2000px-Flag_of_Afghanistan_%25281880%25E2%2580%25931901%2529.svg.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No. There is no problem with the picture. It's supposed to be black. That's because I couldn't see or take pictures of my food. I had attended a dark dinner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You may have heard of these restaurants. They have them at most major cities around the world, including San Francisco, Amsterdam, London, and Paris. That's the one I chose to go to -Dans le Noir en Paris. The restaurants feature a dining experience where you cannot see your food and must rely on your other senses instead. We know that if a person loses one sense, such as sight or sound, they compensate with stronger responses of their other senses. Can this translate to a fully-sensed person on a temporary basis?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I arrived for my dinner reservation and was asked for my dining option. The menu is set, your choices are just how many courses you want and if you want wine or beer pairings. I chose three courses and no beverages.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each restaurant can operate a bit differently, but many of them have blind servers. Such was the case in Paris. I was grouped with a young couple since I was dining solo. Our server was introduced as Yaya and he took the young man by the hand and his girlfriend and I followed by putting our left hands on the person in front's shoulder so that we were a human chain. We were led through a series of blackout curtains until we were in absolute darkness. There was not a pinpoint of light at all. I decided to just keep my eyes closed for the duration because I knew if I left them open, I'd be straining my eyes all night looking for something...ANYTHING... to see. I have enough eye strain in my daily life with computers, I didn't need more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we arrived at the table, Yaya guided us each one at a time to our seat. I then felt the table and found the fork, knife, napkin, and cup. My companions had been given the water bottle and told to pour for ourselves, but to use our fingers in the cup to know when to stop the pour. We also had a basket of bread.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yaya returned and asked or our hand out. He placed a small shot glass in my hand with the amouse bouche. It was a cold soup. I was thinking perhaps a cold pea soup. At the end of the meal they actually do tell you what you ate, so we later found out it was a cucumber gazpacho. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next was the starter. It was cold and on the first bite I knew it was salmon lox, but with what else? There were definitely melon balls as well, but we did not figure out the shaved asparagus ribbons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The entree came out next and we gently poked around. There was, we thought, mashed potatoes, some beef with sauce, and then a cold portion of the plate that definitely had cherry tomatoes. Could we figure these ingredients out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We guessed easily enough that it was beef and surmised it was in a red wine sauce and that the mashed potatoes had fresh peas in it. What threw me a bit was when I got a warm strawberry! There's no mistaking strawberry flavor and then the texture with the tiny seeds on the outside. Why was the strawberry there and warm? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am no fan of tomatoes and after taking a few tentative bites of other things, I pretty much left my cold section alone. The gal at my side guessed eggplant, another thing I'm not a fan of.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the end we were to discover that the beef was actually in a balsamic based sauce with the strawberries as a component. The mashed potatoes were actually pureed peas with some whole ones left in. The cold portion was a camponata with the tomatoes, eggplant, and olives. None of which I care for!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At this point I posed the question to my companions - do you think not seeing is enhancing your other senses to the food? We generally agreed that it didn't do so much. Although we obviously paid a lot more attention to the seedy strawberry, we didn't really feel our sense heightened. Instead, we felt we had a better of understanding of how it is for blind people to navigate dining.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The final course arrived in warm, closed mason jars. It was immediately recognizable as rice pudding with a lime zest curd. It had just a bit of bitterness you get when you get a bit of the white pith in with the zest. What we did not detect was the coconut fumee on top.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once complete, Yaya led us out the same way we came in. Breaking through the final blackout curtains was a shock. It took some time for our eyes to adjust to the lights. We were then given the iPad to see what we had just consumed. We had generally done a pretty good job with only a few surprises.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a fun activity to do, especially with a group of friends. The next table over was a party of 11! They were having quite a good time. I just had no one ever interested, so I figured might as well go in Paris as anyplace else. Made it more memorable for me. Convince your friends, set a date, and try it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-82981913807669477722019-05-22T06:57:00.000-07:002019-05-22T06:57:01.600-07:00Expats, Why are you still wearing the abaya?<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I was growing up in Saudi Arabia in the 70s and 80s, we did not wear abayas. We went shopping in Khobar with the understanding that our legs and shoulders must be covered. We would even go in jeans. It wasn't until the 80s, after the Ayatollah Khomeini rose to power in Iran and the 1979 uprisings in Qatif and Mecca, that the Kingdom started to go back to more conservative ways. By the time my parents retired in 1987, we were going to Khobar in thobes, although not abayas.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /> In the spring of 2018, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that it was no longer a requirement for women to wear abayas or cover their heads. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><br /><i> “The laws are very clear and stipulated in the laws of sharia: that women wear decent, respectful clothing, like men,” the Prince said. “This, however, does not particularly specify a black abaya or a black head cover. The decision is entirely left for women to decide what type of decent and respectful attire she chooses to wear.”</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With the Kingdom looking forward to tourism, that's another big reason not to wear abayas. Female tourists will not be enthusiastic about wearing that extra layer. In my opinion, it's in the best interest of the country to get locals used to foreigners not wearing them.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i><br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5x0bosDUvIHDO66P_kioAXW0pDXGRD-RCHNh6SAVKxedv3pql-jD1HO-OSiTywJQT00LY3vT28VZY8OBbPSAYNr9j8YcYZ0QKkrH3dn_Bo7B7F8W7c1dERMfBnUoA9Qpzezz8sry61zHS/s1600/IMG_20190222_175946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="830" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5x0bosDUvIHDO66P_kioAXW0pDXGRD-RCHNh6SAVKxedv3pql-jD1HO-OSiTywJQT00LY3vT28VZY8OBbPSAYNr9j8YcYZ0QKkrH3dn_Bo7B7F8W7c1dERMfBnUoA9Qpzezz8sry61zHS/s320/IMG_20190222_175946.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">before I stopped wearing one</td></tr>
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So why are so many women, particularly expats, still wearing the abaya when they don't have to?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There is d</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">efinitely no problem with an expat choosing to wear an abaya out of respect to the Saudis and Islam. More power to them. And abayas are convenient in some ways. They cover you up if you have a problem with body image or lack fashion. Sometimes it is a matter of laziness. You can throw on an abaya and just be in underwear underneath. In many ways, it can be similar to lounging about in your pajamas all day.<br /><br /> When I came to Jeddah for my three month contract, I bought a modern, cream, zip-up abaya with pockets. I also bought a thobe. When I arrived, I sort of felt guilt-tripped into buying a more traditional, loose, black/blue one. Once I realized they were no longer required, I stopped wearing them. <br /><br /> I do wear my thobes into town because they fit the conservative, loose, covering criteria to still be respectfully dressed, but I don't wear an abaya over them. I also have loose Cambodian harem pants with a long sleeve top that I wear. I've even gone to Thuwal in jeans. Again, no abaya.<br /><br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPueB5sZN-GGz67dJWn-KZXLAMcxxlod2sEMyFV22mc8-G7i5SjbFt5W41oPCT3s85myrD9lC-dQ5J2OcviDYvgKjaDUDX5k_ehXOwJ1FDWZCAGOCloT3p0ALkrGgdcvkSb7yB7tOeEB_/s1600/IMG_20190513_151739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPueB5sZN-GGz67dJWn-KZXLAMcxxlod2sEMyFV22mc8-G7i5SjbFt5W41oPCT3s85myrD9lC-dQ5J2OcviDYvgKjaDUDX5k_ehXOwJ1FDWZCAGOCloT3p0ALkrGgdcvkSb7yB7tOeEB_/s320/IMG_20190513_151739.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Skna Hassan</td></tr>
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By the way, when did the black abaya even come into being? I tried to research it and can't find any indication of when it started being the black tent version. Black has been around for a while, but keep in mind, that for centuries the women wore traditional, tribal attire that was long and covering, but still colorful and decorative. You can see many examples at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Artist/Skna-Hassan-Art-120329841384478/">Al Tayabet Museum</a> in Jeddah (picture at top). Also in the artwork of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Artist/Skna-Hassan-Art-120329841384478/">Skna Hassan</a>, who traveled the Kingdom to research the attire.<br /><br />Yet my abaya revolt doesn't stop the urge to want to buy another abaya. They have changed so much over the years that they can be quite the fashion statement. Colors, fabrics, trims all make for more interesting abayas. It's been hard to resist buying another, but I'm back to the U.S. and they would just end up tucked at the back of my closet. Pointless.<br /><br /> So don't wear them if you don't want to! Especially when it's hot! Who needs another layer?!</span></div>
Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-58338399823948746442019-05-05T00:06:00.002-07:002019-05-05T00:06:25.621-07:00Arab Food Diary<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm calling this a diary but it's actually more like a food log. Instead of daily entries in a diary, I'm giving you an overall log of all the wonderful Arab foods I tried on my trip to Saudi Arabia.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I child I wasn't exposed to all these wonderful treats except for maybe some baklava and Turkish delight. It also turns out that the Eastern province seems to have less diverse and interesting food (to me, anyway) than the Hijaz (western) region where I was on this trip.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">FYI, often used below is...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Kashta</b> - clotted cream flavored with rose water</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sweets</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Mammoul - cookies with date filling</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Logaymat - donut hole-like pastries served sweet or savory depending on the toppings chosen</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Mann al-Sama (manna from heaven) - candy nougat of nuts</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Barazek - eggless sesame seed cookie</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Basbousa - semolina cake soaked in sugar syrup</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Esh al Saray - AKA Rich Man's Bread- toasted bread in rose water sugar syrup with kashta</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Halawat al-Jubn - semolina-cheese dough rolled and filled w/ kashta</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Madlouka - orange blossom syrup soaked semolina cake topped with kashta and nuts</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mafroukeh-syrup soaked semolina-pistachio cake with kashta and pistachios</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Nammora - phyllo dough with kashta</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Booza - ice cream, sometimes referring to...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Turkish ice cream - stretchy ice cream </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Om Ali - (mother of Ali) a pudding using leftover bread shreds</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Kunefe - made with either cheese or clotted cream in the center of shredded pastry, grilled, then pour over sugar syrup</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Kunefe being grilled in special plates</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Arika - torn up bread and dates soaked in honey, topped with cream, cereal, and cheese</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLP8i-sAl6gNfGcDzKNREkGJZvlX2rRVmHwJXk4vdEQfWlfbcC-fzVWoqukJFp_OEVVBjUhU_coOjRePuTocgU8ogGNdmR2LGaIsvBG_32ZYwQtQiZZuyV65U-ox72RAob5zpQAZLULoj7/s1600/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20190222204042112_COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLP8i-sAl6gNfGcDzKNREkGJZvlX2rRVmHwJXk4vdEQfWlfbcC-fzVWoqukJFp_OEVVBjUhU_coOjRePuTocgU8ogGNdmR2LGaIsvBG_32ZYwQtQiZZuyV65U-ox72RAob5zpQAZLULoj7/s320/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20190222204042112_COVER.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sahlep - warm, creamy milk drink that is thickened w/ sahlep (orchid root), with mastic, rose water, pistachios</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaJY0p_Ikc7kCUwR-JnQWNceXt4jyKSJgXA_YDqDU7syABAzn7_ELHA_g-t-FZeinGJsWKDR-fVRT-ofHNuPjCjx0W8E3DoyaDA-cvSIn0qw-h30yaVvyWeCxkGsNkZmD6Qsmnj3uKZQi/s1600/Katayef-450x262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="450" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaJY0p_Ikc7kCUwR-JnQWNceXt4jyKSJgXA_YDqDU7syABAzn7_ELHA_g-t-FZeinGJsWKDR-fVRT-ofHNuPjCjx0W8E3DoyaDA-cvSIn0qw-h30yaVvyWeCxkGsNkZmD6Qsmnj3uKZQi/s320/Katayef-450x262.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Qatayaf - dumpling filled with cheese</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AS4gb0oIcMmPqlz7vi65BHVYInk4nUTJZhJmnP5yz02YAg_mHwrWIWVrqixJaR0ul3Chm4TIu-bk9hmsNdOeHx4tH3s0wt3tapGUeovz8la7-RT_e73K7mOXNm4WQSGYoTHwrNR1IYsq/s1600/12063510_10208113562781412_5306225860786630049_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="479" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AS4gb0oIcMmPqlz7vi65BHVYInk4nUTJZhJmnP5yz02YAg_mHwrWIWVrqixJaR0ul3Chm4TIu-bk9hmsNdOeHx4tH3s0wt3tapGUeovz8la7-RT_e73K7mOXNm4WQSGYoTHwrNR1IYsq/s320/12063510_10208113562781412_5306225860786630049_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; text-align: justify;">Qara’ ‘Asali - middle eastern pumpkin pie w/o a crust</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Savory</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zNDWtglkxaWFWVut2DZswvSBPQ_IoWOSAIrhSByr7bRL9WygaM95t3rTly5XGfNgVKnfUnOoVH7PTEQ3aGZW1qooQzEu9rptTFI3vum_sMZHHldQTQPCVwDbBdJEbLSt_4tsCIxKcFZJ/s1600/IMG_20190420_203746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zNDWtglkxaWFWVut2DZswvSBPQ_IoWOSAIrhSByr7bRL9WygaM95t3rTly5XGfNgVKnfUnOoVH7PTEQ3aGZW1qooQzEu9rptTFI3vum_sMZHHldQTQPCVwDbBdJEbLSt_4tsCIxKcFZJ/s320/IMG_20190420_203746.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Maklobat eggplant - </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.4px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rice with eggplants and meat, served with yogurt</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwomF3WnYajmsyjyhFN2oU-EJ6Zqnti4Au7Ocf6rIT6seYFzt6hoK4utQfq1WLUFtuq8irbiXKbGlo1hITttWbiEH_9daZpH6jK3ZkuJ0bsVF4z0oWcn3lpZ8Xn2X-j4yB9vEPq9PTCB1h/s1600/IMG_20190420_203312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwomF3WnYajmsyjyhFN2oU-EJ6Zqnti4Au7Ocf6rIT6seYFzt6hoK4utQfq1WLUFtuq8irbiXKbGlo1hITttWbiEH_9daZpH6jK3ZkuJ0bsVF4z0oWcn3lpZ8Xn2X-j4yB9vEPq9PTCB1h/s320/IMG_20190420_203312.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Shoshkash kebab - </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.4px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grilled seasoned fine minced lamb served with pepper paste, peppered parsley, tomato & pomegranate molasses</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SwzjMFtvaMXttuzYR4otfyjC1A8-jEWu3OGaWpDeIOJLmhsG9Fy59P1JoRRoSXhKu9b16W3HUjD_5bnzzRRR7uExKmI1kt90ahPBc_KXOv3BfcgABR9vnb77Z9eCyFV-inx0Zaq9i3ld/s1600/IMG_20190420_203259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SwzjMFtvaMXttuzYR4otfyjC1A8-jEWu3OGaWpDeIOJLmhsG9Fy59P1JoRRoSXhKu9b16W3HUjD_5bnzzRRR7uExKmI1kt90ahPBc_KXOv3BfcgABR9vnb77Z9eCyFV-inx0Zaq9i3ld/s320/IMG_20190420_203259.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fatet makdous - </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">crispy roasted flat bread pieces topped with layers of eggplant and saucy minced meat with a yogurt, garlic sauce</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5U2R1UNaVHFcEYaCzNr34nxxEcWCkasM6tWW7V0_FOx-TUwsEiIu2JuLyno_NY25hSFR6VU42tyUpCvxY2q1BWqXe6Zzo7o60yM85wSP2psnTztH01K0eVyoyhrjNAP6teANSbudYQWl/s1600/IMG_20190420_203806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5U2R1UNaVHFcEYaCzNr34nxxEcWCkasM6tWW7V0_FOx-TUwsEiIu2JuLyno_NY25hSFR6VU42tyUpCvxY2q1BWqXe6Zzo7o60yM85wSP2psnTztH01K0eVyoyhrjNAP6teANSbudYQWl/s320/IMG_20190420_203806.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Shish barak - Syrian style raviolis in a yogurt sauce</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiv3NHL5zrEbFwhZC_er992vfD0psYPPLJZCId1m3oZ1fnTN-2m7HZmryW6QGri2-KDG25ZW01qvtR1u84FbhJn3RRPA0l-3kv-2_7o1lmDvfgGOXIprlw6gLZtICL_oO9LZhXED68k-Re/s1600/IMG_20190412_180324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiv3NHL5zrEbFwhZC_er992vfD0psYPPLJZCId1m3oZ1fnTN-2m7HZmryW6QGri2-KDG25ZW01qvtR1u84FbhJn3RRPA0l-3kv-2_7o1lmDvfgGOXIprlw6gLZtICL_oO9LZhXED68k-Re/s320/IMG_20190412_180324.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Buraik - filled with ground meat and chopped hard boiled egg</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvMLlgDX4nxj9ZSr5y3fqpl47umi3y4K6XeqMWLd6BsHdz9ww4tiZFwGELwI7-XPh5wM1qXWIzfsudV5qt_VSNv33ISqGwHTdNEEuDvC-gx22ZtwwqEHdtClJNOnDpsb4DapCSzMGwA-I/s1600/IMG_20190404_174927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvMLlgDX4nxj9ZSr5y3fqpl47umi3y4K6XeqMWLd6BsHdz9ww4tiZFwGELwI7-XPh5wM1qXWIzfsudV5qt_VSNv33ISqGwHTdNEEuDvC-gx22ZtwwqEHdtClJNOnDpsb4DapCSzMGwA-I/s320/IMG_20190404_174927.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lamb madini -lamb and rice</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObDbuw6suXWTDLTnpHUTaam_hNFS6TTKUhRozUfVFQ-diNvif7qTCIabRRoJ4PqWXuZwNleuhamA34dDCT_VY9xYmasf1OGs04cbtoHI3hbR0gOyDmVVgE-quOUD5EwOPwemddUmCx1q2/s1600/IMG_20190404_174936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObDbuw6suXWTDLTnpHUTaam_hNFS6TTKUhRozUfVFQ-diNvif7qTCIabRRoJ4PqWXuZwNleuhamA34dDCT_VY9xYmasf1OGs04cbtoHI3hbR0gOyDmVVgE-quOUD5EwOPwemddUmCx1q2/s320/IMG_20190404_174936.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Chicken Saleeg - rice is risotto-like</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeQM_sQnNxtoJQsgwfrnShlR12pCoh1bimY_3ROdgFFQJTHni489LG7IhemXCCWOcY4goltotiX2R2WVqH0hHlnrhCn7qH8-VSlo-egc8_jikazoVsrx5FJ-oI5AhorQ8jV3IBU1RJwMY/s1600/IMG_20190404_174952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeQM_sQnNxtoJQsgwfrnShlR12pCoh1bimY_3ROdgFFQJTHni489LG7IhemXCCWOcY4goltotiX2R2WVqH0hHlnrhCn7qH8-VSlo-egc8_jikazoVsrx5FJ-oI5AhorQ8jV3IBU1RJwMY/s320/IMG_20190404_174952.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> Meat mulgalgal - a meat stew of meat, fresh tomatoes, onions and green pepper fried with spices</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3KS13M3JDnL4A4kMR_vrN2xT1-rNFyXScJNQL0FJhObTjfVb2kodDVs22C4Gz0XR7AjmZM2BUvW5gLSHpBiPuJPIJWSSEyO8h2axsvFiMZXYW5QCnnbYgf2ckoi-Ou2-Ytw1GQ3U8hrr/s1600/IMG_20190404_175006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3KS13M3JDnL4A4kMR_vrN2xT1-rNFyXScJNQL0FJhObTjfVb2kodDVs22C4Gz0XR7AjmZM2BUvW5gLSHpBiPuJPIJWSSEyO8h2axsvFiMZXYW5QCnnbYgf2ckoi-Ou2-Ytw1GQ3U8hrr/s320/IMG_20190404_175006.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chicken bukhari - chicken and rice</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSTpfcj99C74mSfUz6pqo2r28lxiHAam8ctMXHfU5Zp02Xmdjt6lBwKc6uvngDG8Afwwtrx8I2lr6Q42GuYg6mdgvo0VhI-CB43Ji0QBvZT1vX58Sgw4609XXhxmasiu3pLlHXgpxbeme/s1600/IMG_20190425_100621-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSTpfcj99C74mSfUz6pqo2r28lxiHAam8ctMXHfU5Zp02Xmdjt6lBwKc6uvngDG8Afwwtrx8I2lr6Q42GuYg6mdgvo0VhI-CB43Ji0QBvZT1vX58Sgw4609XXhxmasiu3pLlHXgpxbeme/s320/IMG_20190425_100621-01.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fatteh - </span>Pita chip pieces, chick peas, tahini, sumac, parsley, Olive oil, walnuts. </span></div>
Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-17987374180369660002019-04-29T03:23:00.001-07:002019-04-29T03:23:52.542-07:00A visit to Burj Khalifa - Dubai<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36-MeD_bv43j3B0xFESt5deClDg68ocJzXOvr6i_qH6KAOK83pacvH6cJIBz9jcWoz8Uyd2u0km9nfdHU9pdBcwYH-j9A2oqKhcfet8L-UB37hGjS69FaHJdmszrjwm3lrjbsLJWKevbt/s1600/IMG_20190426_093217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="1600" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36-MeD_bv43j3B0xFESt5deClDg68ocJzXOvr6i_qH6KAOK83pacvH6cJIBz9jcWoz8Uyd2u0km9nfdHU9pdBcwYH-j9A2oqKhcfet8L-UB37hGjS69FaHJdmszrjwm3lrjbsLJWKevbt/s640/IMG_20190426_093217.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Currently the tallest building in the world resides in Dubai. The <a href="https://www.burjkhalifa.ae/">Burj Khalifa</a> soars to 2,722 feet and has 163 floors that people can occupy before being topped by the metal spire. No visit to Dubai is complete without a visit to it and, preferably, to the top of it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSPpgcXKryJTlNLgRrLrMHAFWS-Yfelj8O_mCbAe56pqbifBOQcepAr1-mlr_yQS2u6X3zbpGvQWKznjbWppyYmiqYBjQZ5z6C53sVn4o1IsNYYwVs59ROQTKtLJYiDZdx6eYmNWww5nW/s1600/IMG_20190426_184514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSPpgcXKryJTlNLgRrLrMHAFWS-Yfelj8O_mCbAe56pqbifBOQcepAr1-mlr_yQS2u6X3zbpGvQWKznjbWppyYmiqYBjQZ5z6C53sVn4o1IsNYYwVs59ROQTKtLJYiDZdx6eYmNWww5nW/s320/IMG_20190426_184514.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Started in 2004 and completed in 2009, the tower was officially opened in 2010. It is a mix-use building, including retail, residential, and commercial offices. At the 122nd floor is Atmosphere, the highest restaurant in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What I found fascinating about the tower is how your perception of its height differs depending on your vantage point. Proximity of other buildings and distance can really distort your perception of its height. When we first arrived and drove by it, the other buildings were close to us and so the building didn't seem that tall. But when you were several miles away looking toward downtown, you could clearly see how much higher it soared over every other building in the vicinity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are two ways to go up the <a href="https://www.burjkhalifa.ae/">Burj Khalifa</a> and I will tell you the difference between the two. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first is what a majority of people do because it is an impulse visit versus being planned well in advance. Most people buy tickets at the entrance or within a few days on the website. This allows you only to go up to the 125th floor with the masses. While the view is still spectacular, wouldn't you prefer to go as high as you can possibly go? To do so requires advance planning.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0f9L-hpg5PvXUP68QzzMLrOHU5RRFByiYuYjZ-zMenMrxhOaVYDYlB6pZzftmVCIbdpQn0Cpwxsq1PXbmJdtmw4uIoybYnf1MbkXcAbNA2EibEdkSJ7-vH7hotnuQThseHIxhvUx9tQ3k/s1600/burj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="960" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0f9L-hpg5PvXUP68QzzMLrOHU5RRFByiYuYjZ-zMenMrxhOaVYDYlB6pZzftmVCIbdpQn0Cpwxsq1PXbmJdtmw4uIoybYnf1MbkXcAbNA2EibEdkSJ7-vH7hotnuQThseHIxhvUx9tQ3k/s640/burj.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you know when you are going to be in Dubai, then it pays to buy the Sky (VIP) ticket to be able to go to the 148th floor. This is the highest point allowed for visitors as the final 12 floors are reserved for corporations. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://tickets.atthetop.ae/atthetop/en-us">Book your visit to Burj Khalifa</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Sky tickets are sold online well in advance for a limited number of tickets. These tickets include a waiting lounge with coffee, personal tour guide and fast tracking through the lines, unlimited time at the 148th floor with refreshments, access to the (crowded) 124th/125th floor observation decks, and VIP (fast track) exit from the tower.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MyPkB3qMAfH1b2vqjcLDnrDr8JvQnWKfipapRjldOWoqWUReuwNwJUl1mxBDxP4bu9TPoy9xT3JygkQq2hd-xOJQ5hEa4xWip70b6EALMGpE0HnV2vutZN3ipyYY4_DvxFD78-1JiIZ2/s1600/IMG_20190426_201004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MyPkB3qMAfH1b2vqjcLDnrDr8JvQnWKfipapRjldOWoqWUReuwNwJUl1mxBDxP4bu9TPoy9xT3JygkQq2hd-xOJQ5hEa4xWip70b6EALMGpE0HnV2vutZN3ipyYY4_DvxFD78-1JiIZ2/s640/IMG_20190426_201004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can't emphasize enough how much more enjoyable this was just by observing everybody else going only to 125. The Sky experience was much more relaxing without having to deal with pushy people and long line waits. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From the outside...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You don't have to go to the top to enjoy the <a href="https://www.burjkhalifa.ae/">Burj Khalifa</a>. They offer two worthwhile viewing events that are completely free to watch from the ground level.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5P-Ivgx8JPQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5P-Ivgx8JPQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The fountain show runs from 6-11 pm at the top and bottom of every half hour. The fountains are by the same company that did the Las Vegas Bellagio, but this set is even larger. Every show is set to a different song, so you can watch something different each time. Above you can see the one done to the Mission Impossible theme and then again from the viewpoint of the 148th floor above. The Mission Impossible was my favorite because I love that music and it's appropriate because MI:Ghost Protocol was actually filmed here. There's an action scene at the <a href="https://www.burjkhalifa.ae/">Burj Khalifa</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't leave after the fountain show because on the 15 and 45 minute marks there are light shows on the tower itself. Below are snippets from two. Note that for copyright purposes, I've silenced the sound. </span><br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Lf0Dra3I9b4/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lf0Dra3I9b4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Burj Khalifa is attached to the Mall of Dubai, a massive shopping structure filled with almost every retailer you can think of from the U.S., U.K., and more. There are also dozens of restaurants from fast food to fine dining.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Burj Khalifa is a must item on the Dubai to-do list. Be sure to schedule an evening for it on your itinerary.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://tickets.atthetop.ae/atthetop/en-us">Book your visit to Burj Khalifa</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-89168264349835258522019-04-21T23:20:00.002-07:002019-04-23T03:34:28.332-07:00Arab Architecture on the Red Sea<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRgSDUw3lZhnmhgfvG57NhdqfDXuPgbmCfuqj_dk1o5JDHRA1AjwveDLapmmSHRynOfJ40eLAmq9SGbLREQdwwQu7WjVn-m9DMdtN8ArWu-Nrt3ebXiJFPfQzIBuvRBclc0q_7j-zAccg/s1600/IMG_20190222_175129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRgSDUw3lZhnmhgfvG57NhdqfDXuPgbmCfuqj_dk1o5JDHRA1AjwveDLapmmSHRynOfJ40eLAmq9SGbLREQdwwQu7WjVn-m9DMdtN8ArWu-Nrt3ebXiJFPfQzIBuvRBclc0q_7j-zAccg/s640/IMG_20190222_175129.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Through our lives we have seen plenty of movies set in
Middle Eastern cities – Indiana Jones, Sinbad, Prince of Persia, and more. There’s
usually a foot chase that takes place through a series of narrow but twisted,
maze-like streets. Turns out, there is a method to the madness of those crazy
streets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I went to a KAUST cultural lecture yesterday on Architecture
of the Red Sea region. It was presented by Dr. Hisham Mortada, professor of
architecture at King Abdulaziz University. His specialty is traditional
architecture and he presented an informative talk on why cities and buildings
here are constructed the way they are.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Saudi architecture is governed by the social needs, such as
Islamic practices and keeping public and private lives separated, and by
constructional needs based on environment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Above we have typical homes in the Al Balad (old city) of
Jeddah. They have a basic cube structure that has many wooden decorative pieces on
the windows and façade called rowshan or mashrabiyas. The preferred directional
setting of the house was to the north or northwest, the best angles to catch
the wind to cool the homes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYi3x6UvIjtN5lFV1KCX2df-YI68HbUuSAFpFufNePnll_Lw_5AprTMLjrsLDuhVrl7ovq68jryqUNCEM-XdXrPsLVMBoK_DRQ1XIko326qaL6PWgMiYfYZrlnncSUyXp7GURNPEqJkVa/s1600/stones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="905" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYi3x6UvIjtN5lFV1KCX2df-YI68HbUuSAFpFufNePnll_Lw_5AprTMLjrsLDuhVrl7ovq68jryqUNCEM-XdXrPsLVMBoK_DRQ1XIko326qaL6PWgMiYfYZrlnncSUyXp7GURNPEqJkVa/s640/stones.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are not many construction resources in Saudi. After
all, it is mostly desert. Some regions use mud, other areas have access to
limestone. On the coastal areas it turns out that they resorted to coral stone.
They would go and take large coral blocks from the sea, dry them out, and use
those as the main building blocks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The problem is that coral is actually pretty fragile and
easily breaks down over time, crumbling into powder. To combat this, some wood
beams were used to reinforce the walls and then the walls were covered in
gypsum. Windows, doors, and ceilings were wood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTv2gF56-tjiPu1gYlq8rXenjs3RmRde6VscTwIPtNC2fVN7F8U5VQFPCrGMbFpyKPEwZA8UNBXAnwqtanZNb_DC4tLeaQtge65VpLolzucX8uV6jJWxNX8shGhbrXDRzB7p03-XCTpEP4/s1600/IMG_20190222_193142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTv2gF56-tjiPu1gYlq8rXenjs3RmRde6VscTwIPtNC2fVN7F8U5VQFPCrGMbFpyKPEwZA8UNBXAnwqtanZNb_DC4tLeaQtge65VpLolzucX8uV6jJWxNX8shGhbrXDRzB7p03-XCTpEP4/s320/IMG_20190222_193142.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The ceiling were usually a combination of wood, mostly from
mangroves, and palm leaves and mangrove roots. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2iZmhZa3AM0bGr537EOhKB2hQ7orL70_VNq7-FLshRTKxv86YUdxQlvBd7tqT8FvainGlwjWUGochy8IzEFZqnF16K6C9LnV1saWs1ZAY2Zt48w8mJNu0EOAITlElgtOtheek5e8XmWY/s1600/IMG_20190222_182207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2iZmhZa3AM0bGr537EOhKB2hQ7orL70_VNq7-FLshRTKxv86YUdxQlvBd7tqT8FvainGlwjWUGochy8IzEFZqnF16K6C9LnV1saWs1ZAY2Zt48w8mJNu0EOAITlElgtOtheek5e8XmWY/s400/IMG_20190222_182207.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The front door is the entry from the public setting of the
street to the private setting of the home and is therefore the most decorated.
The door itself is usually wood and can be decorated by carvings and/or metal embellishments
such as nails. There is often a decorative cornice above. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAnTCspU1IoKuuuNU86A8DiIX-2KJVTNnZ9CorpF1dA4cIO0bxYPYXFA50Gsk2IeLp82zqTUx5OtvklPd8eALYETawbyT8iITdr191Cl_VNo-HoEGDHvUOu-9vSmo2QnOrxf2bN4Ul3ER/s1600/IMG_20190420_180515+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAnTCspU1IoKuuuNU86A8DiIX-2KJVTNnZ9CorpF1dA4cIO0bxYPYXFA50Gsk2IeLp82zqTUx5OtvklPd8eALYETawbyT8iITdr191Cl_VNo-HoEGDHvUOu-9vSmo2QnOrxf2bN4Ul3ER/s640/IMG_20190420_180515+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">More decorative elements could be added via the gypsum plastering
of the walls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCar3fDP-GAR_rZjg_YvpRdZIwBp_S3wcrkBRdPDeoxZQmf3MeqrQTJxb6E6EHDMMJcDZeVYKFYY1cZs6_N62wAELbB2Uoa9-Nf1CYbGNHN6v99DnxWD3T1ERtGohBTj13wdG8OR4ItKfV/s1600/IMG_20190222_182827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCar3fDP-GAR_rZjg_YvpRdZIwBp_S3wcrkBRdPDeoxZQmf3MeqrQTJxb6E6EHDMMJcDZeVYKFYY1cZs6_N62wAELbB2Uoa9-Nf1CYbGNHN6v99DnxWD3T1ERtGohBTj13wdG8OR4ItKfV/s400/IMG_20190222_182827.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The most distinctive feature of these homes are the wooden rawashin
(plural of rowshan) and mashrabiyas on the windows. They served several
purposes, the most important being for cooling and for privacy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Islam is known for strict privacy - the most well known being
the privacy of women. By covering the windows with these creative screens, it
allows for privacy as well as for allowing air to flow through for cooling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The cooling is handled in several ways. First is the
screening itself, but also by the construction of the interior of the homes.
The method of room and stairwell arrangement was done in such a way as to
create air flow through the home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaVyBUjL193y3V9N0uW-5aZCbZmzfcQ4wwuWQJP2v-W5FAwMZL-gVhYGMb4ipoXlUjchEJZXsjEp9IGXgGuNAujVwqMBoSdVW8ruuCepi6lbiE_NTSun552d6f-dtU0WqIrHZRUNpe3Qc/s1600/IMG_20190222_193440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaVyBUjL193y3V9N0uW-5aZCbZmzfcQ4wwuWQJP2v-W5FAwMZL-gVhYGMb4ipoXlUjchEJZXsjEp9IGXgGuNAujVwqMBoSdVW8ruuCepi6lbiE_NTSun552d6f-dtU0WqIrHZRUNpe3Qc/s320/IMG_20190222_193440.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kharjah</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another way was from the use of water. Pots of water would
be set into the mashrabiyas so that the air would flow across the water and
cool – a primitive method of air conditioning. This use of water for cooling
explains why some homes would have fountains.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The uppermost floor, or roof, was the kharjah and used as a private courtyard, completely covered by roofing and rawashin, and often used for sleeping on the hottest nights as well as a family gathering area and for airing out laundry. They did not have courtyards or patios, so the roof was their main 'outdoor' space. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyqakOGN-QgfWGX8HfcDzK_LQx1-5igGbh1AuBxFNjc_PMqJj0sVZtr4IQD39bi09DRuu1f-s8E3v2c2ox6JD11JMKPBVosPqnG2koU1uO0JwV6j8jvOwsQib9zn_yjPC2sKNOpxnn_tO/s1600/IMG_20190222_180151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyqakOGN-QgfWGX8HfcDzK_LQx1-5igGbh1AuBxFNjc_PMqJj0sVZtr4IQD39bi09DRuu1f-s8E3v2c2ox6JD11JMKPBVosPqnG2koU1uO0JwV6j8jvOwsQib9zn_yjPC2sKNOpxnn_tO/s400/IMG_20190222_180151.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The rawashin not only provided cooling to the interior of
them home, but also for the exterior. The way they stick out from the building
provides extra shading to the streets and pedestrians below. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Which brings us back to the twisting, narrow streets. This
was another method of cooling because it created a way to funnel the wind
through the streets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OzKBn0-2PECdi1OikYaNvvt6oUYjlp30E2qkcmt-k_gLOoFTE2cjyK4-USEk9XG7y003r1UHepWXtZfu121ns_BZcjsKTuOBlgnZVnacKE29KN7i7SSf78zDa92AGsBtVC8Sy-0JMxbq/s1600/IMG_20190227_110627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1600" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OzKBn0-2PECdi1OikYaNvvt6oUYjlp30E2qkcmt-k_gLOoFTE2cjyK4-USEk9XG7y003r1UHepWXtZfu121ns_BZcjsKTuOBlgnZVnacKE29KN7i7SSf78zDa92AGsBtVC8Sy-0JMxbq/s320/IMG_20190227_110627.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the towers from inside the pedestrian tunnels</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A few of these old construction techniques are used in the
modern buildings of the campus here at King Abdullah University of Science &
Technology (KAUST). The main buildings are set in the best direction to catch
the ocean breezes and funnel them through the ‘tunnel’s that go through the buildings.
Within these tunnel walkways are many water features that cool the air as it sweeps
through. Finally, there are two tall towers that suck the air through and up
creating the breezy air flow through the entire complex. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">exterior shot of a ventilation tower</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’m glad I was able to catch this lecture because it really
helped to explain many aspects of the old homes I had been seeing on my visits
to Jeddah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-5303000793690698772019-04-16T03:55:00.002-07:002019-04-23T03:35:12.605-07:00Ramadan Orientation<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8A7OOngMyPE2IhfNqy0IRweIeg7ke7Nx31fIdCUTmyhyVr0TjnEGXXhRxRul11RkkjjpNEf7QFlKTSyLQmJp1AAhUjj2zR1uOwCMWlFruxPo1muyPZpVyVIg1xJRr2r0i6lRxGIdinWQm/s1600/IMG_20190404_180222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8A7OOngMyPE2IhfNqy0IRweIeg7ke7Nx31fIdCUTmyhyVr0TjnEGXXhRxRul11RkkjjpNEf7QFlKTSyLQmJp1AAhUjj2zR1uOwCMWlFruxPo1muyPZpVyVIg1xJRr2r0i6lRxGIdinWQm/s640/IMG_20190404_180222.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was well aware of Ramadan when we lived 16 years in Saudi Arabia.
It never affected me though. I was a child living in an American compound and
so it never meant more than a month of fasting to me. My father, I’m sure, did
deal with it in the workplace with such things as shorter work hours and a slowing
down of activities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That’s why I decided to go to the Ramadan Orientation breakfast at
KAUST today. I had been hearing that you can’t even drink water in the presence
of others during Ramadan. What other things would affect my daily life?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The event started with a breakfast featuring some traditional
dishes. There was, of course, fool. Fool is mashed beans that you top with
whatever you like: onions, peppers, yogurt, nuts, herbs, etc. It reminds me a
lot of Chinese congee in the same way you put toppings that you like. There were
dates dipped in chocolate or filled with nuts, omali (a sort of bread pudding),
samosas, kenefe, etc. Drinks included Arab coffee and tea as well as Vimto and
Rooh Afza, which is a Pakistani syrup made from a squash, rose water, and other
ingredients and mixed with water.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mahmoul - date filled cookies</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We learned about Ramadan being the 9<sup>th</sup> month of the lunar
calendar<span style="background: white; color: #222222;">. The dates can differ
slightly by where you are in the world, but in Saudi Arabia, it is determined
by physically seeing the first crescent sliver of the new moon. That means if
it is a cloudy night so that the moon can not be observed, Ramadan will not be
proclaimed yet. For 2019, it is scheduled to run from May 6 to June 4. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ramadan signifies the month that
the Holy Koran was ‘revealed’ to the Prophet Muhammed. Sort of like the Ten
Commandments and Moses. The month is supposed to be a month of reflection and
piety. Fasting takes place as a way to purify one’s heart, soul, and spirituality
and to reflect on God’s word. It is also so that people can relate to the hardships
of the poor and hungry. During this month there should not only be reflection
on oneself, but charitable acts as well. There should be increased peace,
generosity, patience, forgiveness, and charity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fasting takes place from sunrise
until sunset, or more specifically, until after the sunset prayer Currently
that’s at about 6:45 PM and will keep getting a bit later as the month
progresses. They practice a dry fast, meaning they can’t even drink anything.
Fasting is not only regarding food and drink, but also smoking and any other
habitual pleasure. It’s like Christians who give up a favorite thing for Lent. It
also includes refraining from impure thoughts, pettiness, or vanity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">People can be excused from fasting,
but not entirely. Basically, if you aren’t fasting due to illness, menstruation,
pregnancy, breast feeding, or travelling, then you have to make up those days
later in the year. Fasting begins at age 10 and goes until they can no longer
fast due to age/illness. In particular, if you have lifelong medication that requires
food/drink, then you will always be off the hook from fasting. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first meal that breaks the fast
is called Iftar. It is suggested that you start with dates because they have
many nutrients and are somewhat lower on the glycemic index; they won’t
skyrocket<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>your blood sugar as other
sugars/carbs. Supposedly it is a lighter meal, but I’m hearing stories that
people still pork out. The ‘bigger’ meal is Sahoor and takes place between 2-3
in the morning as a way to load up for the next day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How will this affect me?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Muslims will work only until 2 PM, the rest of us work normal work
hours.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All food businesses will be shuttered during the day. For non-Muslims,
the only place to eat/drink will be the cafeteria, which will be open 24/7.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You cannot eat or drink in front of others. I plan to fast during
Ramadan myself, but I cannot dry fast. I will get a migraine if I get
dehydrated. This means I’ll have to bring a bag each morning with a filled
water bottle in it and take it into a bathroom stall if I want a drink!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This will greatly affect our shopping buses to Jeddah as apparently
everything stays shut until 9 PM and then will generally stay open until 2 AM!
I’m definitely trying to get any last shopping done before May 6 because I’m not
interested in those late hours. I just can’t cope without sleep!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Iftar and Sahoor meals are family and holiday celebrations. This
is when dishes and clothing that you don’t normally see during the rest of the
year come out. Think month long Christmas. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’ve been wearing a couple of Mideast outfits/dresses that my
workmates keep complimenting as my Ramadan outfits. Supposedly it depends on
the region of the country, but here in the Hijaz area, these outfits are only worn
during Ramadan. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As for the food, I am hoping that I get invited to someone’s
Iftar. They say you should definitely experience it. At the least, there will
be Iftar specialty dishes served each night at a couple of the KAUST restaurants.
I will try each one for sure. </span></span></li>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately, I will depart in the middle of Ramadan and so I
will not get to celebrate the end – Eid al-Fitr. That’s when even bigger
holiday celebrations take place and KAUST will shut down for 3-4 days. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-67283610346884265522019-03-30T10:23:00.002-07:002019-03-30T22:40:43.358-07:00A Westerner in Mecca: Two Tales - 45 Years Apart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUmLYf7ZK3ef6t75uZQ7xHtLua1MVsWt_bNB68uW3VWq7T66-vT8UO6LvzmLa_pg35xXRZNNbSrvbrXviQcqt4N1v_H6Ta6p-AG6bN_5g-c2KQlcIJ8q_3JsCZdpdfmFf9acuCg_nfE-w/s1600/na9g3p2onarpo7xzwk5v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUmLYf7ZK3ef6t75uZQ7xHtLua1MVsWt_bNB68uW3VWq7T66-vT8UO6LvzmLa_pg35xXRZNNbSrvbrXviQcqt4N1v_H6Ta6p-AG6bN_5g-c2KQlcIJ8q_3JsCZdpdfmFf9acuCg_nfE-w/s640/na9g3p2onarpo7xzwk5v.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before we begin these tales, we must make clear that non-Muslims are not allowed into Mecca. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Circa 1972-73</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm about 7 and my brother about 5. My dad has become interested in scuba diving and he decides that he wants to drive from Ras Tanura, on the Arabian Gulf coast, across the country to Jeddah, on the Red Sea coast, to go diving. This is about a 900 mile trip and, back then, took about 16 hours of driving. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It has become a favorite family tale that we non-Muslims drove through Mecca. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My dad drove through the night, mostly because I was car sick, to reach our destination as soon as possible. When you get to Mecca, there is a bypass route so that non-Muslims can go around the city they are not supposed to enter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was late at night, so my brother and I were asleep. Dad apparently missed the turnoff and so when he reached the security checkpoint...well, they waved him through! We're not really sure if it was because it was so late they didn't see, it was too convenient to make him turn around, or what. The point is, we always tell how we drove through Mecca. I, being asleep, really missed the whole thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Now - 2019</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's a good 45+ years later and a lot has changed and yet I have a new Mecca story to tell. One I wasn't slow to call and report to my dad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This time I am with my Saudi roommate, Azhar, who is from Mecca, and Jeff, an American friend. We decided to go to Taif for the weekend and so we must drive right by Mecca. Jeff and I are well aware of the rule that we are not allowed in Mecca.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thing is, Mecca has grown considerably. So much so that I think that it's grown past the bypass route. As we drive along I see the Royal Clock Tower in the distance. It's located in the center of one of the world's largest hotel complexes, built to host thousands of pilgrims that come each year for the Hajj. It is built extremely close to the Great Mosque where the Ka'bah is kept. (Topmost picture gives you the idea.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwjDMxepYZ4in1MbXGj4cjrre7UQgT_VK4NnzjY851kgT8w319heqixgZteW8Xiz396W9q9sMQ0O5AvQR0G7oAb2NUd0YCJNjzo840IgxHX3VOI_y3fNkb4S6lYcqVuBQcrERB7tHRNsU/s1600/IMG_20190329_173535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1600" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwjDMxepYZ4in1MbXGj4cjrre7UQgT_VK4NnzjY851kgT8w319heqixgZteW8Xiz396W9q9sMQ0O5AvQR0G7oAb2NUd0YCJNjzo840IgxHX3VOI_y3fNkb4S6lYcqVuBQcrERB7tHRNsU/s320/IMG_20190329_173535.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are signs about the need to separate and re-route away, but they are very unclear. Unfortunately, I missed getting shots of the really important ones: "Entering Haram Border", etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Turns out that you can go to Mecca, you just can't go passed the Haram Border. Haram means "holy" and so you aren't supposed to pass into the holy zone. To be quite honest, we are unsure if we might have, just on the very edge, entered the holy zone or not. I would say that we were within a mile of the Great Mosque just based on our sighting of the Royal Clock Tower in the distance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mecca is now such a large metropolis that the holy zone is well within the city boundaries now. A lot of growth in 45+ years.</span>Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-57602643139621415752019-03-29T03:11:00.000-07:002019-04-23T03:35:01.578-07:00Miswak for dental care<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWGm4VeYt5J-Y4fLeWfKQbNOtytPTvnZSqugYiQmkdkFhhQ8siiHYk0GLwNuvrfTdF60OxmHJO2q4vP8t92MKp5wSEdYY5A6TXVKM8L5yP_rAf4JHCVrXA6TMoLwPRXRkV4cZPVS9qfj2/s1600/miswak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWGm4VeYt5J-Y4fLeWfKQbNOtytPTvnZSqugYiQmkdkFhhQ8siiHYk0GLwNuvrfTdF60OxmHJO2q4vP8t92MKp5wSEdYY5A6TXVKM8L5yP_rAf4JHCVrXA6TMoLwPRXRkV4cZPVS9qfj2/s400/miswak.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Since ancient times of Babylonia and Egypt, the people of the Middle East have used miswak to brush their teeth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Miswak is <span style="background-color: white;">made from the </span><i style="background-color: white;">Salvadora persica</i><span style="background-color: white;"> tree. People have cut thin branches or the roots to create natural tooth brushes. Here is my video explaining how.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DLFxm3uxAVE/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DLFxm3uxAVE?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Miswak has natural antimicrobial properties, much like honey or echinacea. Some studies have been done with people in Saudi Arabia and also in Sudan to check their dental hygiene and they were found to have just as </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">good periodontal care compared to people who use toothbrushes.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">In addition to strengthening the </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gingiva" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Gingiva">gums</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, preventing </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_caries" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Dental caries">tooth decay</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> and eliminating </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toothache" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Toothache">toothaches</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, the </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">miswak</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> is said to halt further decay that has already set in. Furthermore, it is reputed to create a fragrance in the mouth, eliminate </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halitosis" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Halitosis">bad breath</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, improve sensitivity of taste-buds and promote cleaner teeth.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To use miswak, cut a piece as big as a toothbrush. Whittle the bark off a bit of one end and then chew the end a bit in order to loosen the fibers to create bristles. The miswak should be softened, so if it has dried out, it needs to be soaked or sucked on to get it moist and supple again. Scrub your teeth with the bristles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For best hygiene, cut the bristles off and start another whittle end for each use until you've used the entire stick.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Miswak is mentioned in the Koran as recommended by the prophet Muhammed for proper hygiene.</span><br />
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Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-14136396665609036012019-03-27T00:15:00.000-07:002019-04-23T03:34:55.928-07:00Four-wheeling in the desert near Al Ula, Saudi Arabia<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipXmJHUBJqR00CKPm8riD2YP8th1edvIUiPo6bzn5GbEENUrRgkrTi2-x9m7bNCzQmZHJhBRt9MxDjLYyVdvMnaY5SI1D6OhR33bOGT6p9TC_qI0Z8dDEmREyBU6HKpBz_ulwF_vNBpcD/s1600/FB_IMG_1553217613426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="960" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipXmJHUBJqR00CKPm8riD2YP8th1edvIUiPo6bzn5GbEENUrRgkrTi2-x9m7bNCzQmZHJhBRt9MxDjLYyVdvMnaY5SI1D6OhR33bOGT6p9TC_qI0Z8dDEmREyBU6HKpBz_ulwF_vNBpcD/s640/FB_IMG_1553217613426.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After a morning of sight seeing at <a href="http://www.munchiemusings.net/2019/03/visiting-tombs-at-madain-saleh-saudi.html">Mada'in Saleh</a> and a nice lunch, it was time to have some adventurous fun in the desert. </span><br />
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<i>Above photo: Al Ula from above, courtesy Mike Miller</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhex0_gf71CGNd9zGZbPwLZtUiqi7vnzLl74VD_M-9WIn3uTMTfyI7wdFgvT1wd-MZu7NZA6VVulcMEwosngvh7GA6Ae3DSn51c1eQiJ7tJ_VhOuO8_DT3x_QoSj4FsHQswehI-mU4_m7ix/s1600/IMG_20190315_141815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhex0_gf71CGNd9zGZbPwLZtUiqi7vnzLl74VD_M-9WIn3uTMTfyI7wdFgvT1wd-MZu7NZA6VVulcMEwosngvh7GA6Ae3DSn51c1eQiJ7tJ_VhOuO8_DT3x_QoSj4FsHQswehI-mU4_m7ix/s200/IMG_20190315_141815.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our group climbed into a dozen or so four-wheel drive vehicles and sped off as each driver competed with the others and trash talked over CB radios. The group of drivers were organized by <a href="http://www.saudiarabiatourismguide.com/amazing-tours/">Amazing Tours</a>, a tour company out of Riyadh. Each driver uses their own vehicle and comes to help as a way of promoting their country for tourism. Our driver was Sami, a late 20s young man from Riyadh. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our first stop was to a lookout point high above Al Ula. What fascinated me was the terrain. I was craving a topographical map because I was fascinated by what we observed. We had started out on the desert floor at the same level as Al Ula and Mada'in Saleh, but climbed up one of the craggy cliffs to get to the lookout. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuGPO9DOBAkw8gnY3eBg1bxPd4JwpZ_E7OXm_3lJ_zWgOj8Df2Vks3N6nz3p_itJWiS6Q7crlmv21iMEYF_5rriVxaXoHiA80WnFldFYitbDiwDxJT9o5-mV6oB2VPFoOZR55ztjNSMdh/s1600/IMG_20190315_142607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1600" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuGPO9DOBAkw8gnY3eBg1bxPd4JwpZ_E7OXm_3lJ_zWgOj8Df2Vks3N6nz3p_itJWiS6Q7crlmv21iMEYF_5rriVxaXoHiA80WnFldFYitbDiwDxJT9o5-mV6oB2VPFoOZR55ztjNSMdh/s640/IMG_20190315_142607.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we climbed I noted the difference in rock color. The top was black rocks crumbling down the sides of the tan sandstone. The black was volcanic rock as the area had once been not only underwater, but also formed by volcanic activity. What was also fascinating was that after we reached the summit, it seemed as if that flat level went on for miles. It was as if we had risen to another floor of Saudi! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4AoM-JlHPZS9Ro9T9KaQS0Xqw9L-_nohxVjsCAkfLTNBnMGR0dc5F0ok_vlRnhPoonqvGCcI5aVUQMInHCBcbFTPxqmrpdl9cMiYo3W4tF_4n62LD6PSJJ1jBXsqDFFc4k4EHsFzMzV0/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4AoM-JlHPZS9Ro9T9KaQS0Xqw9L-_nohxVjsCAkfLTNBnMGR0dc5F0ok_vlRnhPoonqvGCcI5aVUQMInHCBcbFTPxqmrpdl9cMiYo3W4tF_4n62LD6PSJJ1jBXsqDFFc4k4EHsFzMzV0/s640/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you look at this satellite map from Google, you can sort of see this. Left is the higher level and you can see the lower, sandstone levels and desert floor to the right.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFspiBmxu_Rb7fA-9rxN8qu0fZuQoNM5bDBX2Np7n_ZA9aBYJcd8P9dz8vMeNWmq2lFPZMW2rDP47iW-TXPY1DmfSDvzJ8Tzq7KMm6b_-o2mHhsaj14V_xZpOm5oEv5qg0XYL7m-0pluc/s1600/PANO_20190315_140631.vr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFspiBmxu_Rb7fA-9rxN8qu0fZuQoNM5bDBX2Np7n_ZA9aBYJcd8P9dz8vMeNWmq2lFPZMW2rDP47iW-TXPY1DmfSDvzJ8Tzq7KMm6b_-o2mHhsaj14V_xZpOm5oEv5qg0XYL7m-0pluc/s640/PANO_20190315_140631.vr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The view would have been so much nicer if we had clearer air. Oh for smog and haze!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In this shot you can make out the historic, mud block city of Al Ula among the trees.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The other direction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then it was time for four-wheeling. We returned to the desert floor and drove close to Mada'in Saleh again. In the middle of the adventure we stopped for coffee and dates.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Please enjoy these shots of the interesting terrain and check out the video of us in the vehicle at the very end of the post.</span></div>
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Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-31501894597415421422019-03-25T03:43:00.000-07:002019-04-23T03:34:49.817-07:00Visiting the tombs at Mada'in Saleh, Saudi Arabia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtx1ORX46_eM8lBiUJoMGs2Supb1vjqPAnkFlmWwiuHWKHFXYRFFXcx08i9RIujZ7BQg6FAnbHfrGI-3f6lH3EoZsiUS9TcESuyiW5wpFh71QEVsUgpCv1LNaIaGlLd3_dtYmI2emiZNmf/s1600/IMG_20190315_085924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtx1ORX46_eM8lBiUJoMGs2Supb1vjqPAnkFlmWwiuHWKHFXYRFFXcx08i9RIujZ7BQg6FAnbHfrGI-3f6lH3EoZsiUS9TcESuyiW5wpFh71QEVsUgpCv1LNaIaGlLd3_dtYmI2emiZNmf/s640/IMG_20190315_085924.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the 1970s I had the opportunity to visit the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. For those not familiar with the name, you might recall it from the ending of <b>Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade</b>. Back then it had few tourists and there was only one small hotel at the top of the canyon path that leads to the site. I'm afraid to think of what it looks like now. I'm sure you have to run a gauntlet of souvenir shops selling trinkets made somewhere else. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Later in life I learned that there were similar carved structures within Saudi Arabia itself and that they were related to those at Petra. The site here is called Mada'in Saleh and, while Petra was the capital of the Nabataean empire, Mada'in Saleh was the secondary, southern capital at what was a fork in their trade routes. One route led to Petra and the other led toward Mesopotamia. The ancient name for Mada'in Saleh was Al Hijra.</span><br />
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<i>Note that Mada'in Saleh is closed to the public until 2020, at the earliest, as the government tries to build tourist infrastructure around the region. We were given royal permission to access the site. </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The site has been settled for thousands of years, but it is famous for the Nabataean era because they were the ones that did the stone carvings of tombs into the surrounding rock formations. The most famous tomb and image is this one of the lone temple...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwnC6gC_RoLNMPyZClKxbzJcsO2AaN2JrUAHFZluVWC75jB3OR60aQf0hZUwBdI-rO0iVX-pXWoHL0j8hSs0vot5zw48sXwsIHDkkZ0s3nKS1LYjgNlJSZst4k-HLKR95merBA75vPPmZ/s1600/FB_IMG_1553217600690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwnC6gC_RoLNMPyZClKxbzJcsO2AaN2JrUAHFZluVWC75jB3OR60aQf0hZUwBdI-rO0iVX-pXWoHL0j8hSs0vot5zw48sXwsIHDkkZ0s3nKS1LYjgNlJSZst4k-HLKR95merBA75vPPmZ/s400/FB_IMG_1553217600690.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">courtesy Mike Miller</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is <span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">Al Qusr Al Fareed, the most recognized of the Saudi tombs because it is the largest and it is in its own rock formation. All other tombs share rock formations, some times over a dozen on one. At the top picture you can see two that are side by side on with others (off screen) around them. Although the largest, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Al Qusr Al Fareed is actually unfinished, like many of the tombs that were left behind. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">There are over 130 tombs located so far. In 2017 the first intact tomb was found with skeletons still inside. This tomb is, of course, off limits as its contents are studied. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Tomb carving was influenced by several factors. Bigger tombs were for richer families. Poor families had just a hole carved in the rock or were placed on carved niches exposed to the elements. The background of the family and era also influenced what was carved on the front. Some have Egyptian elements, some have Greek, Roman, Assyrian, etc. The direction or side of the rock they were carved on also made a difference. Richer folk purchased the side that was facing away from the wind so that the tomb would not be eroded by wind and sand storms. Poor folk took the wind sides. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In general, the tombs surrounded a large residential area that occupied a central flat area. This area is currently fenced off for archaeological digging/research. At the time, the area was more fertile and boasted 130 wells.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Unlike any at Petra, the tombs here actually had 'plaques' at the top with inscriptions of owner, their positions, the carver, and other details. Many held military ranks, leading to theories that this served as a military center for protecting trade routes. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Inside you might find a room or two, body niches, or some platforms. The guide told us that while the family was still alive and burying generations, they would use a wood door to close off the tomb. Once the last member of the family died, the tomb would be sealed off with a carved stone to fit the entrance and lime. </span><br />
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<i>In 2008, UNESCO's World Heritage Committee (WHC) agreed on Madain Saleh site to join the World Heritage List. Thus, the site has become the first archeological site in Saudi Arabia to be enlisted by the WHC of the UNESCO. </i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Nabataean wealth and influence came from trade of spices, frankincense, and myrrh along their trade routes. The fall of their empire came at the hands of the Romans, who conquered the region and started to trade via water (Red and Arabian Seas) versus over land. The city declined and was eventually pretty much abandoned. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlaHIkq5ps8nfygXDcuXwl0vK76KcCP4Zpo4KMV2naznPvNtcH_tqYdlvh9SGFJVAHrYKjiDuP4lqqce8Iem7Rn7i_loxN87bbaOG2njZi2SmgeRlx9Z3No5tFFhUE7hlzYH39nfKqiBu/s1600/IMG_20190315_095844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlaHIkq5ps8nfygXDcuXwl0vK76KcCP4Zpo4KMV2naznPvNtcH_tqYdlvh9SGFJVAHrYKjiDuP4lqqce8Iem7Rn7i_loxN87bbaOG2njZi2SmgeRlx9Z3No5tFFhUE7hlzYH39nfKqiBu/s320/IMG_20190315_095844.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">original Ottoman fort</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPr19CVS8ekWB6wBXi4gxPPkvN2-RlNxtUN2p7vJz4QuF2O2frpsBI4yjWyzGDMVCtPyZkFGHjJgmB_zjxXV6onQCMEF6Fbtb3VB0YLLtLfwxjjm9Xwkw9lAe9rPzMz4dyXm3g9Z0s1S1/s1600/IMG_20190315_100010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPr19CVS8ekWB6wBXi4gxPPkvN2-RlNxtUN2p7vJz4QuF2O2frpsBI4yjWyzGDMVCtPyZkFGHjJgmB_zjxXV6onQCMEF6Fbtb3VB0YLLtLfwxjjm9Xwkw9lAe9rPzMz4dyXm3g9Z0s1S1/s400/IMG_20190315_100010.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Ottomans took over the region in the 1500s and built a fort with a well. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">It still served as a waystation for pilgrims going on Hajj. Eventually, in the early 1900s, a railroad was built to reach Mecca and the station became one of the stops. More buildings were added to the site. During World War I, the railway was blown up farther north by revolting Arabs and Lawrence of Arabia.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2RokokEyxajTaGLQVNICIE5N4ahU7j8OxQFD89PO2Pus53xTRz_GF9rP7e0ev7jZv-03cI5KCeySbVMNFxF_HpBXti4Z_D_GA4pCD50VqYkTCzYPaL3OOrhGfaEipyWdgYrH9UmSgjQ4/s1600/IMG_20190315_093428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2RokokEyxajTaGLQVNICIE5N4ahU7j8OxQFD89PO2Pus53xTRz_GF9rP7e0ev7jZv-03cI5KCeySbVMNFxF_HpBXti4Z_D_GA4pCD50VqYkTCzYPaL3OOrhGfaEipyWdgYrH9UmSgjQ4/s400/IMG_20190315_093428.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNAOiYEkLGsGHK8W9Uz6t6IYkVF9z6uzchE7kW_WXHuVXoyVJAZcCg4GrIoO6hWeP_IYc7ccpOkLCfczt3_4c0zo1xXvWSwwvqXHfTeLX7eYSm8UEo-llqLWNiCV3mV08SBQQ5Od2xmso/s1600/IMG_20190315_091413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNAOiYEkLGsGHK8W9Uz6t6IYkVF9z6uzchE7kW_WXHuVXoyVJAZcCg4GrIoO6hWeP_IYc7ccpOkLCfczt3_4c0zo1xXvWSwwvqXHfTeLX7eYSm8UEo-llqLWNiCV3mV08SBQQ5Od2xmso/s400/IMG_20190315_091413.jpg" width="300" /></a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFodfmMSs29BnrLJI4pEc1ze7Ht7KLWWbEbmH4SMu9ZMicN9T8cIpW1W9m7Dtb_EnSazrABEIFNIBKPVnLSZrPx7M-StPpOVgmWCayhsAkKJo5IiENZnviOo7hk53NtNO6Q2r28NDfXYsb/s1600/PANO_20190315_091847.vr%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFodfmMSs29BnrLJI4pEc1ze7Ht7KLWWbEbmH4SMu9ZMicN9T8cIpW1W9m7Dtb_EnSazrABEIFNIBKPVnLSZrPx7M-StPpOVgmWCayhsAkKJo5IiENZnviOo7hk53NtNO6Q2r28NDfXYsb/s640/PANO_20190315_091847.vr%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I fell in love with the rocky formations of the region. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoRfMSG2dIL2WMSuz-dmO7jEqIi395Gb4Rby0jfxp1LKbKongXTX4OP-IbNKzRudpuJcfUTFmyJyZ2WcYsL9891TXounGuTYXUVkBVAGj-NQ_g31xyPUY2y7PpALEom577v6FUHD5Wen2/s1600/IMG_20190315_093217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1446" data-original-width="1600" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoRfMSG2dIL2WMSuz-dmO7jEqIi395Gb4Rby0jfxp1LKbKongXTX4OP-IbNKzRudpuJcfUTFmyJyZ2WcYsL9891TXounGuTYXUVkBVAGj-NQ_g31xyPUY2y7PpALEom577v6FUHD5Wen2/s320/IMG_20190315_093217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WIB8sH9dy7nv9Kvxs0cueJ8b4VGhDUytzPXryEIz9POfAXGBR4r5zB1CT5QxuZyELnMMCmRQlNxdb-v4YhbC5Ij74dA2q_1fVeSgLW6wBsgfXBVVkTMI9mdcTqA1n_v6mZ-xlvjRKuKk/s1600/IMG_20190315_084016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WIB8sH9dy7nv9Kvxs0cueJ8b4VGhDUytzPXryEIz9POfAXGBR4r5zB1CT5QxuZyELnMMCmRQlNxdb-v4YhbC5Ij74dA2q_1fVeSgLW6wBsgfXBVVkTMI9mdcTqA1n_v6mZ-xlvjRKuKk/s320/IMG_20190315_084016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Not historical bones and perhaps not even human.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HnbgxycjUOswstoDEYgUp8Ykx-m906_jTkeSg8XTeePX5Mx_3zuiRgzLH21stKLOFza-pvlzYVt62DFJbiJhr1qvzj3jVMP22f3i82pF9YCk0n4siXVUROjDM3QVY7t96jvA-Y5gV5Uw/s1600/IMG_20190315_120117-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HnbgxycjUOswstoDEYgUp8Ykx-m906_jTkeSg8XTeePX5Mx_3zuiRgzLH21stKLOFza-pvlzYVt62DFJbiJhr1qvzj3jVMP22f3i82pF9YCk0n4siXVUROjDM3QVY7t96jvA-Y5gV5Uw/s640/IMG_20190315_120117-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We ended this portion of our trip with a lunch at the <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/saudi-arabia/hotels/sahary-al-ola-camp/a/lod/c6e16155-016d-4948-b831-b64272109307/361126">Sahary Resort</a>. As I mentioned, Mada'in Saleh is closed while infrastructure is being built to cope with the anticipated tourism. The road through the ruins was a dirt one and there are limited facilities at the train station. The government has plans for more hotels, restaurants, museums, and facilities. If you read my post about <a href="http://www.munchiemusings.net/2019/03/al-diriyah-and-dinner-with-princess.html">Al Diriyah</a>, then the plans call for similar buildings as they have already accomplished in Riyadh. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/saudi-arabia/hotels/sahary-al-ola-camp/a/lod/c6e16155-016d-4948-b831-b64272109307/361126">Sahary Resort</a> is one of the first completed with more expansion underway. They have bedouin tent bungalows (think yurt) to reserve and the dining is in this luxurious dining tent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Up next, our afternoon of four-wheeling through the desert!</span><br />
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Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-24445420741596714362019-03-24T05:13:00.000-07:002019-04-23T03:34:44.701-07:00Al Diriyah and dinner with Princess Reema<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvt1lg1Lc_XPtiFngpREBUIh6ko-9IrqDmV0ue_2-R8qsFhlVEiDBcqWJA9Pc3ZR_U8Yp_pi6JEch0xZ0zRc2RSTtxTYcIHRNajIOOPgcHfkIosp1gM0msIRBCXR-QiwkIt29_vgWtxOyT/s1600/IMG_20190320_185117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvt1lg1Lc_XPtiFngpREBUIh6ko-9IrqDmV0ue_2-R8qsFhlVEiDBcqWJA9Pc3ZR_U8Yp_pi6JEch0xZ0zRc2RSTtxTYcIHRNajIOOPgcHfkIosp1gM0msIRBCXR-QiwkIt29_vgWtxOyT/s640/IMG_20190320_185117.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had already had quite a fun filled 10 days with all the activities we had for the ARAMCO reunion. One more was added at the last minute and it was a freebie - quick trip to Riyadh to have dinner with Princess Reema, the newly appointed ambassador to the United States. Only Americans were invited, of course. I jumped at the chance and was so glad I did because it included much more than just dinner!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DkHwtQ7hzHiUldB0Slr01WJYr37Y4jtS9XJZoY3gb7TKJHIKZ-GrifyZ2lAZL9Ge1N8ghM6W89-bgSaHqxZqZSIQ6-oYIuU3Hr1hkFXmqtWnp-7hFMJwJdLp0S3MxzjOis1-IvuWLbfZ/s1600/IMG_20190320_162259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DkHwtQ7hzHiUldB0Slr01WJYr37Y4jtS9XJZoY3gb7TKJHIKZ-GrifyZ2lAZL9Ge1N8ghM6W89-bgSaHqxZqZSIQ6-oYIuU3Hr1hkFXmqtWnp-7hFMJwJdLp0S3MxzjOis1-IvuWLbfZ/s320/IMG_20190320_162259.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After flying the Saudi Aramco jet to Riyadh, we were given a police escort to the site of the dinner - the historic ruins of Al Diriyah. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had been to Al Diriyah as a child, but have the very faintest of memories. I just know we went. At the time, it was just the ruins off to themselves like this...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkGYSeQPjCmxHd3fQxLxAt12rPpbaIz8GnLHSGsXHexnwXMOMW0wnMU5iL4HNu2Z3-fbAkjwLIVonUNFVbsrekzmEVw6JVoRBkyysLxVZ44ufm62x9Zf_gS34_Jc7mkjlnewEesaKa6H7/s1600/b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="700" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkGYSeQPjCmxHd3fQxLxAt12rPpbaIz8GnLHSGsXHexnwXMOMW0wnMU5iL4HNu2Z3-fbAkjwLIVonUNFVbsrekzmEVw6JVoRBkyysLxVZ44ufm62x9Zf_gS34_Jc7mkjlnewEesaKa6H7/s400/b4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">courtesy of Saudi Tourism</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Since then there has not only been much restoration, but all sorts of facilities built next to it. Such things as a museum, conference center, etc. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVbOXKJqBF9qbEmivmdKGzOvqKNc7xTxJfvrctGpuL0-8sUAGrtGoIL6NOp4nuKXKdHs2mxx-E2xUgfBKqSK-w3vZq5OnEJyKf8HvGeuRdEmlQcD-xZXPQbFSqSxwYCNa2ilYWGDuCK42/s1600/IMG_20190320_185553-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVbOXKJqBF9qbEmivmdKGzOvqKNc7xTxJfvrctGpuL0-8sUAGrtGoIL6NOp4nuKXKdHs2mxx-E2xUgfBKqSK-w3vZq5OnEJyKf8HvGeuRdEmlQcD-xZXPQbFSqSxwYCNa2ilYWGDuCK42/s640/IMG_20190320_185553-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Upon arrival there were the welcoming things we had been having at so many events during the reunion. The cultural drummers and dancers, the coffee and tea offerings, and the dates to nibble on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Al Diriyah is in an oasis area known as Wadi Hanifa in central Arabia that has been occupied for thousands of years. In 1446</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the city was founded by </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mani' Al-Muraydi</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, an ancestor of the Saudi royal family. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is therefore considered the rooted home of the royal Saud family. It became the capital of the Nejd region of Arabia and through tribal wars, increased in size. It lasted through a long siege by the Ottoman Empire after which it was largely vacated after the Ottomans broke through and destroyed the palm groves and city.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/D0BI8CsXnCU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D0BI8CsXnCU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What was an exciting and thoroughly enjoyable experience was the light show that was projected onto the walls of the ruins. It depicted the history of Al Diriyah and the Saud family. Please watch it all, because it is most impressive. I liken it to those at Luxor or the Pyramids, but I think this one is much more current technology-wise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We were broken into small groups to go on tours through the ruins. Each group was led by a team of two to three women tour guides. Our tours were probably considerably briefer than day tours, but still enjoyable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In one area they were depicting daily life showing the types of arts and crafts that Saudis might practice. There were also children playing games and singing Saudi children's songs. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZZqg5u9EfRKRay5F3WXxSCzwCpweBSHayWP0z2Y0uRpaOiXkpKixwdK2YAHGN6m4V3PBqX0T6uwzPpb9HCy6qza_PgFgY7k3xPDL0RHleN2j9NFEJzLWWG6pV_tT_XDKKWw6w6UOtRZS/s1600/IMG_20190320_192857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZZqg5u9EfRKRay5F3WXxSCzwCpweBSHayWP0z2Y0uRpaOiXkpKixwdK2YAHGN6m4V3PBqX0T6uwzPpb9HCy6qza_PgFgY7k3xPDL0RHleN2j9NFEJzLWWG6pV_tT_XDKKWw6w6UOtRZS/s400/IMG_20190320_192857.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">showing the original bricks and the layers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWV-OAcweWWaGiAXYz22u_BJ3wMfUXuiPpp6n96bJ8XHlcQ1LnX6Fv5_c2L7CZe2SyHm6683NwFLA92phgUvV1QJ5wa1cJcOuPE1OIXoW2g7Z_oVwo4bd3agYROxhWfqGKROcAY9Tb1otE/s1600/IMG_20190320_192917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWV-OAcweWWaGiAXYz22u_BJ3wMfUXuiPpp6n96bJ8XHlcQ1LnX6Fv5_c2L7CZe2SyHm6683NwFLA92phgUvV1QJ5wa1cJcOuPE1OIXoW2g7Z_oVwo4bd3agYROxhWfqGKROcAY9Tb1otE/s400/IMG_20190320_192917.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">projections on walls inside as well</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CS4oq_nEfQDuQ-bsuMOPOxSCmV_VnPDv2atrbm2pdJmqYZoCdNktXgJMhWoMdhC7h07BtN0A7r1gh56BCi16MfpbjdGXPtUgTHJVmcbNBCl4cddShVMCBgXYBZc1kPzVcJjnnJZSh6IV/s1600/IMG_20190320_193131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CS4oq_nEfQDuQ-bsuMOPOxSCmV_VnPDv2atrbm2pdJmqYZoCdNktXgJMhWoMdhC7h07BtN0A7r1gh56BCi16MfpbjdGXPtUgTHJVmcbNBCl4cddShVMCBgXYBZc1kPzVcJjnnJZSh6IV/s400/IMG_20190320_193131.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztr2DGeHd7HgMwq-iNxEuMrpdfzHEMi4WbwEvYP-R64t-WOXc2Xaykemsnxy4DgMLU2tWEwqbMXKp3vnksj7MzpKPCszgcH5fprMStms-3gK4MkYuzZrm-TpEIlon8pTq63enq3s_hTJF/s1600/IMG_20190320_193457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztr2DGeHd7HgMwq-iNxEuMrpdfzHEMi4WbwEvYP-R64t-WOXc2Xaykemsnxy4DgMLU2tWEwqbMXKp3vnksj7MzpKPCszgcH5fprMStms-3gK4MkYuzZrm-TpEIlon8pTq63enq3s_hTJF/s400/IMG_20190320_193457.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the school area was two stories</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymckBJocM3wNRLzEB4OsvQXi5VfsLEg_X1HJXrZYDXB6g23iwdTOplwtCtfGLlbLPPcFCMG9qJdT8yhF1-gH4FS9jA9tLfLZIesOkZwt4pHj7dJ2EYFa_xAvWPXVR5K3kE4Gd5vnHvvI3/s1600/IMG_20190320_193924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymckBJocM3wNRLzEB4OsvQXi5VfsLEg_X1HJXrZYDXB6g23iwdTOplwtCtfGLlbLPPcFCMG9qJdT8yhF1-gH4FS9jA9tLfLZIesOkZwt4pHj7dJ2EYFa_xAvWPXVR5K3kE4Gd5vnHvvI3/s400/IMG_20190320_193924.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a well</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhea_6TuT5qhEAcSnl64A8HeuOLc02OVAUqCxgEzuLnG46gU66nkp1XQ_lEBxWNY9ITSnJ-FWkD-rFhoD1N6FDBKqyvl6a114hBeuEU9o5VtlUX4RjuSVWJqVCpMf9nax9zarzfef4GWqm2/s1600/IMG_20190320_193907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhea_6TuT5qhEAcSnl64A8HeuOLc02OVAUqCxgEzuLnG46gU66nkp1XQ_lEBxWNY9ITSnJ-FWkD-rFhoD1N6FDBKqyvl6a114hBeuEU9o5VtlUX4RjuSVWJqVCpMf9nax9zarzfef4GWqm2/s400/IMG_20190320_193907.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsYquezyYml2jBvJFkv9cDmhVIgIa2KhUfo3VKcV5CFDNj-jrH-QX6x_1ZjzZ6g5Ams2SsKeFtBnQHxZ1wXEqgDaMXRLLEm26fuvh4adAtZZSA6brcQRWLXnJcyx2oDgycK8KynDUx5vz/s1600/IMG_20190320_193826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsYquezyYml2jBvJFkv9cDmhVIgIa2KhUfo3VKcV5CFDNj-jrH-QX6x_1ZjzZ6g5Ams2SsKeFtBnQHxZ1wXEqgDaMXRLLEm26fuvh4adAtZZSA6brcQRWLXnJcyx2oDgycK8KynDUx5vz/s400/IMG_20190320_193826.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where the imam leads the prayers (like pulpit)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-6JUTml-BYabL1iL-z3-So9KsghDQY_e38N3Cbd3sgI6FSdyjW1UP7OzaLankWWr8zwXHFz7ly6Ser33D13XPwB87ElPPSHKfE5xz2XY8xrgEaZ1r9HZaaQh22xEGX1_0ErHH_MtYS_S/s1600/IMG_20190320_194108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-6JUTml-BYabL1iL-z3-So9KsghDQY_e38N3Cbd3sgI6FSdyjW1UP7OzaLankWWr8zwXHFz7ly6Ser33D13XPwB87ElPPSHKfE5xz2XY8xrgEaZ1r9HZaaQh22xEGX1_0ErHH_MtYS_S/s400/IMG_20190320_194108.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnUgY8xEkBjGGVsu2YGGJwh8arhpgjX3rDZ3pPDAYlM430bWy1FoWhx6jAeltM9J4LkHeBxi7LcyYjN_muejJcL5z45_E3n95arr7_ggeET6mQRmDpYx1mNAk8wXNVG1KItgEmRyB7QjN/s1600/IMG_20190320_195815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnUgY8xEkBjGGVsu2YGGJwh8arhpgjX3rDZ3pPDAYlM430bWy1FoWhx6jAeltM9J4LkHeBxi7LcyYjN_muejJcL5z45_E3n95arr7_ggeET6mQRmDpYx1mNAk8wXNVG1KItgEmRyB7QjN/s400/IMG_20190320_195815.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QiRlsASQWRcoDVDq6bAEqB0J-zeJg5w716Rr7HkbYd3eqiuVlLGw3EC8uTRiFajd8gSCECd7ZnxqlquZTgeR4Coh7X-VdUAKNXLx-W2TiO66XssqGTmSVOmitj5MtT5sUPMsD5Nmyltm/s1600/IMG_20190320_201749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QiRlsASQWRcoDVDq6bAEqB0J-zeJg5w716Rr7HkbYd3eqiuVlLGw3EC8uTRiFajd8gSCECd7ZnxqlquZTgeR4Coh7X-VdUAKNXLx-W2TiO66XssqGTmSVOmitj5MtT5sUPMsD5Nmyltm/s400/IMG_20190320_201749.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it was a full moon, but the cell phone camera isn't sharp enough</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After our tours we sat down to a dinner under the stars. We were blessed with perfect weather - no wind or cold like we had on some nights. There were many other VIPs in attendance from the government. I'm pretty sure the US Ambassador was there since it was in honor of the Princess. Also in attendance was the visiting Minister from Nigeria.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Minister of Energy, </span><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalid_A._Al-Falih">Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih</a>, gave a very nice speech on how much past Aramco employees are appreciated and honored. After all, we were the foundation that created the company that they took over in the 80s. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyfaCkasRkvHAdKSpmcge3AzXKsXPZHa_W2azuC-J3bm77r8UluKagn9ldGbIWfQiiKOYvGAFeykM11xkdCmR6fstHp4QRBgVmfyTbAPhGRsCf8XBa1YC9zUwauuu4ytP8MhX6arfvcYZ/s1600/IMG_20190320_215118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1273" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyfaCkasRkvHAdKSpmcge3AzXKsXPZHa_W2azuC-J3bm77r8UluKagn9ldGbIWfQiiKOYvGAFeykM11xkdCmR6fstHp4QRBgVmfyTbAPhGRsCf8XBa1YC9zUwauuu4ytP8MhX6arfvcYZ/s320/IMG_20190320_215118.jpg" width="254" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He then introduced the Princess. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reema_bint_Bandar_Al_Saud">Princess Reema</a></span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reema_bint_Bandar_Al_Saud"><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">is the daughter of a former ambassador to the US. She gave a lovely speech about how she can relate to us. After all, she lived from age 7 to 37 in the United States. She understands what it is is to have a second country and a second family in those citizens. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Everyone was thoroughly impressed by her and tried desperately to have their pictures taken with her. After so many issues of late in regards to Saudi global affairs, she seems to be a breath of fresh air and likely to do well to smooth relations with the West. </span></span>Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-39282470671783528832019-03-24T01:59:00.001-07:002019-04-23T03:34:40.090-07:00Visiting childhood - ARAMCO compounds - Dhahran<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dhahran is the town that I graduated 9th grade from. In Brat speak, we list out town and our 9th grade graduation year. So I'm DH80. We've skipped over my Abqaiq years, where I spent 5th and most of 6th grade, because I never cared for Abqaiq and our house is now a park there anyway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the picture above is our house on Cactus Court - C123. My room is the one you see above the garage with the huge patio in front. The enclosing wall and door on the left weren't there before. We figure that so many homes now are enclosed for privacy since many Saudis now live in camp. They lead more sheltered/private lives. I show the tree because my mom planted that and now you can see just how big it is. Keep in mind dad retired in 1987.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My brother's room was to the left of mine and later on he would sneak out. My parents often parked with the suburban's rear end sticking out of the garage. It was easy enough to climb over the fence, onto the car, and down. Me? I was a good girl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I didn't take as many pictures of town as some of my fellow brats did. Less fond memories here as I was a 'new kid' that wasn't popular or made a lot of friends. I kinda now regret not taking a picture of the 'hills'. There were two in town that, as a kid, I thought were so steep, but as an adult they turn out to be so tiny!</span><br />
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Sadly our school is now walled in.</div>
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And heavily gated.</div>
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We would all gather and sit on this ledge waiting for school to begin and socializing.</div>
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The Rock is now gone, apparently relocate to the other side of the school. This is now the back of the school and it got moved to the new front of school. Sadly I didn't get a chance to go back and see it.</div>
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Luckily Andrea did.</div>
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We couldn't believe the water fountains were still the same!</div>
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Home ec is no more. Now it's a computer lab.</div>
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The gym</div>
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And the stage where I performed in the talent show.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpiZlgucNTTj3JQdAhvTfKk9pDomNWkU6S2oqUXpb9ABP0gGtyQzZq2mS_NanAai7x2jlmLG_ED_-eyFy8oP_B4uyC8301A0FS_ZkPreNQIR_k2Kp031a1zL6LGzeildxnaT73NRWvXqW/s1600/IMG_20190314_174824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpiZlgucNTTj3JQdAhvTfKk9pDomNWkU6S2oqUXpb9ABP0gGtyQzZq2mS_NanAai7x2jlmLG_ED_-eyFy8oP_B4uyC8301A0FS_ZkPreNQIR_k2Kp031a1zL6LGzeildxnaT73NRWvXqW/s320/IMG_20190314_174824.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Requested by a friend, a shot of the hospital, now located outside one of the many security gates.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxv7q_P7otrvYM2GcIUyJLnTP3MuxT5E8PlnSwf6n7a5TFnG7Z1WfTfNx70807ix4jZzUry_RHJG_fg8wa-0In-iPhoKOd9C85VqwgKpppxBlFHa9ipIK5GtWczBMkplWY6LELW-HYernz/s1600/53229650_10157485050428352_6166981890642280448_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1375" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxv7q_P7otrvYM2GcIUyJLnTP3MuxT5E8PlnSwf6n7a5TFnG7Z1WfTfNx70807ix4jZzUry_RHJG_fg8wa-0In-iPhoKOd9C85VqwgKpppxBlFHa9ipIK5GtWczBMkplWY6LELW-HYernz/s320/53229650_10157485050428352_6166981890642280448_o.jpg" width="274" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><br />And just for fun, there are now gun turrets outside all the security gates. </span></td></tr>
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Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-10249253175742192252019-03-24T01:36:00.001-07:002019-04-23T03:33:52.771-07:00Visiting childhood - ARAMCO compounds - Ras Tanura<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUk6oAok8T3jod0GJoelIdbqJC5sBlX_7U6Y1kxO4N1Om8hjjApZK7es9_P9dceuz3QfkKHz8wEYYeyu-iVClNcV8d2vJLGig29Sz47hs8k_euaZUGBqzdXGHUZ5qnRgHUkMHM2a82MI2/s1600/IMG_20190312_111225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUk6oAok8T3jod0GJoelIdbqJC5sBlX_7U6Y1kxO4N1Om8hjjApZK7es9_P9dceuz3QfkKHz8wEYYeyu-iVClNcV8d2vJLGig29Sz47hs8k_euaZUGBqzdXGHUZ5qnRgHUkMHM2a82MI2/s640/IMG_20190312_111225.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was blessed by a very special childhood in that I grew up in Saudi Arabia. My father was an engineer who worked for the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO). We were there for all of my school years of 1971 through 1987. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 1980 the company ownership changed to the Saudi Arabian government, making it thereafter known as Saudi Aramco. The new management has never forgotten those that laid the groundwork. Without the westerners who came to build this mighty company, they would have had nothing. For this reason, Saudi Aramco has always been thankful to the Americans and foreigners that were the foundation. They show this appreciation is a most wonderful way - they allow us to return to our Mideast home every few years and treat us as VIPs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In this post I just want to keep some pictures of home and the changes that have taken place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We'll start in Ras Tanura/Najmah where I spent first through fourth grades. We always called it RT, but technically RT is the petroleum facility and Najmah is the town.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These years were my happiest memories of Saudi. I was part of a tight class and I was so young and innocent. Ras Tanura was the only beachside community and certainly the loveliest. We children ran all over town without any concerns as it was the safest place in the world. Our parents never worried about us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I returned with two of my classmates, Robert and Rihab, as well as Robert's younger brother Randall and their friend Henry.</span><br />
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The golf clubhouse</div>
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Still sand fairways here. Dhahran has been upgraded to grass.</div>
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View down Surf Ave from the golf course.</div>
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The movie theater. My fondest memories here were intersession movies - all the Disney classics (Gnomemobile, Herbie Rides Again) and Catholic mass and my first communion.</div>
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Across from the theater was the Snack Bar. In the day the favored order was mashed potatoes and gravy.</div>
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My elementary school now has a fence around it and has 5th through 9th grades.</div>
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Outside the gym is this 2-3 foot wall where we would play things like tag or keep away.</div>
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I spent DAYS at the pool. I LOVED going to the pool. It's also where I learned to swim. Used to wet pillowcases, inflate them with air, and use them as floaties. </div>
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Even the baby pool was fun to play in.</div>
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Yet it all seems smaller than I thought. </div>
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The area between the Snack Bar and Theater going to the pool.</div>
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The main entrance to the Surf House, the recreation area for RT.</div>
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New addition</div>
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In back of the Surf House is the huge patio area we used for fairs and festivals. I remember many Brownie and Girl Scout activities here. The round stage is different. Ours was detached and walled. It had a small lip around it and I used to try to creep on tip toes holding on as I made my way around the outer edge.</div>
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The gorgeous beaches are now tar free and have chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas.</div>
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The bowling center was moved from the original location to a new addition.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwal8l3ui6tHW9poGDFxO01GxdoMuiCO1IZRoYnxEBuZcaxPsZhsjyzMr7U1y1fF7q9yAp3qs2_BjXdP6xyOV_OEvm6Lzis7z5qHIfl8ZWHQzePJ3HOuxnGRRk3L1GlWqicJ_e2bQ0lcL8/s1600/00000IMG_00000_BURST20190312112029337_COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwal8l3ui6tHW9poGDFxO01GxdoMuiCO1IZRoYnxEBuZcaxPsZhsjyzMr7U1y1fF7q9yAp3qs2_BjXdP6xyOV_OEvm6Lzis7z5qHIfl8ZWHQzePJ3HOuxnGRRk3L1GlWqicJ_e2bQ0lcL8/s320/00000IMG_00000_BURST20190312112029337_COVER.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The dining hall is now contracted out and a lot different.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHzIVwuB6eqI7jeWXy1j3rzF23xvLG8Wt2bRnitryaaAOJ6fSTKq6_WCl1Ul1JRbMbvZs34YOlHjd31KW4czyRxT_u4qavJuWVMUYPBnGW99h9MBaxPy0FCeko4bhCfkOttVNz99TKMK8/s1600/IMG_20190312_124259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHzIVwuB6eqI7jeWXy1j3rzF23xvLG8Wt2bRnitryaaAOJ6fSTKq6_WCl1Ul1JRbMbvZs34YOlHjd31KW4czyRxT_u4qavJuWVMUYPBnGW99h9MBaxPy0FCeko4bhCfkOttVNz99TKMK8/s320/IMG_20190312_124259.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlMGdCGCMPIgYKcs7ym6rklvlsp7yEGAJw712ZiS3T6MYSOJMvCtk-Ox7cpfkqbREViDWiEfiyCYIaoK054wazhU1nhvp8BTKVeKo4vXA4heE3gtTKWQXKh1jBHy5T-p1Q9_-zrc_g48r/s1600/IMG_20190312_125433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlMGdCGCMPIgYKcs7ym6rklvlsp7yEGAJw712ZiS3T6MYSOJMvCtk-Ox7cpfkqbREViDWiEfiyCYIaoK054wazhU1nhvp8BTKVeKo4vXA4heE3gtTKWQXKh1jBHy5T-p1Q9_-zrc_g48r/s320/IMG_20190312_125433.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We never got to live in the new homes on the beach, but Robert and Randall did. Looking at their house, which is the same model as mine was in Dhahran.</div>
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Both my RT houses are no more. Our main house, behind the school, is now a parking lot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgteHNROeU6t_xC6D-9HNoZGk5XeLyrtjxouVWC8zUqTQkaJO2XgBJ03h0B9c6arx8eITX__PBEK8flaj5X1SlQKEp8l4eLXGAxu5e9ZY4tvo3hfsKmyEmvU6U9A6o4uuq5msjC3VvYHj/s1600/IMG_20190314_100620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgteHNROeU6t_xC6D-9HNoZGk5XeLyrtjxouVWC8zUqTQkaJO2XgBJ03h0B9c6arx8eITX__PBEK8flaj5X1SlQKEp8l4eLXGAxu5e9ZY4tvo3hfsKmyEmvU6U9A6o4uuq5msjC3VvYHj/s320/IMG_20190314_100620.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This new training building used to be the school baseball field.</div>
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The tennis courts are roughly the same area, but the configuration seems different than my memories!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEnouHZtxCDOR4DugSXpwZEqXEdQ9AbsjIt3jiWhkaQtIjMiuJq4o5j8oS-MaT_qyAUGK20cCNbNX2CzSRzd3dLtNoMcXrzZ7JAZgi-ppyuznSIXVtYf00zfOimWypeIwMFWCQ9gy0J7e/s1600/IMG_20190314_101201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEnouHZtxCDOR4DugSXpwZEqXEdQ9AbsjIt3jiWhkaQtIjMiuJq4o5j8oS-MaT_qyAUGK20cCNbNX2CzSRzd3dLtNoMcXrzZ7JAZgi-ppyuznSIXVtYf00zfOimWypeIwMFWCQ9gy0J7e/s320/IMG_20190314_101201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My BFF back then, Kathy Geddes, lived across from the tennis courts. I'm thinking this was her house. They look so different after upgrades, wall and hedge removals, etc.</div>
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Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-91399931712160295712019-03-16T11:48:00.002-07:002019-04-23T03:33:34.418-07:00Arabian incense, perfumes, and oud<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQsV97-uFQNP6Sb-gCjncM-iy3ZNiLH0iYIevr64I7MnhdKe4yzcpG6V1TFvOaXjeu6DAWLbjFB4NkUoR2ZezYt6LUNFnmWknz2pn8epW6HN-XTtvp0vzYpm28lA5Soj1d1oQeI5RQQOY/s1600/IMG_20190316_190701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1513" data-original-width="1600" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQsV97-uFQNP6Sb-gCjncM-iy3ZNiLH0iYIevr64I7MnhdKe4yzcpG6V1TFvOaXjeu6DAWLbjFB4NkUoR2ZezYt6LUNFnmWknz2pn8epW6HN-XTtvp0vzYpm28lA5Soj1d1oQeI5RQQOY/s400/IMG_20190316_190701.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you have ever smelled a Middle Eastern person's cologne or perfume as they walked past you, you might have wondered what makes it so much more exotic smelling. It's probably oud.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The word 'oud' literally means 'stick', but is used in the fragrance industry and in the Mideast to refer to the fragrant resinous wood from aquilaria<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> trees after they have become infected with a type of </span>mold<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">. The healthy agarwood is fragrance free, but as it fights off the mold infection, it creates a resin that has become prized for its aromatic qualities. It can all vary by the country of origin, the conditions of growth and infection, and other factors. The final wood and resin or oil, if expressed out, are more valuable than gold. After all, it takes 20 kilos of agarwood to produce only 12 millileters of oil. The wood can be over $2000 per pound!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">There are soooo many oud (fragrance) stores here because fragrance is really important to the Saudi people. Known for their hospitality, the bedouin will greet you with Arab coffee filled with cardamom, dates for nourishment, and fragrance. There's often an incense burner somewhere and they will waft the smoke onto you and your clothes as well as around the tent or room. One other touch might be the splashing of rose water on your hands. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">As mentioned, oud refers to the infected wood. You can burn this as incense. Perfume and fragrance makers will process the wood to extract the treasured oil from it. This is what they use in perfumes. Either way, oud has a very distinctive and exotic fragrance to it.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOq3QwRKtKY3hcyii40DhfUevYOsizjG9zRGVhrbDzQFnjvCXde6ewI6cFfctZqfe_miptJvJYKogGIrWkI9wggpcoe5eUik-I8EdRROPp6QNLNKeN9HuwOHjnV2Gt4hmy1CkkH1Xo6T9/s1600/IMG_20190316_192027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOq3QwRKtKY3hcyii40DhfUevYOsizjG9zRGVhrbDzQFnjvCXde6ewI6cFfctZqfe_miptJvJYKogGIrWkI9wggpcoe5eUik-I8EdRROPp6QNLNKeN9HuwOHjnV2Gt4hmy1CkkH1Xo6T9/s320/IMG_20190316_192027.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had seen the pieces of wood in stores and also watched as a salesman would carefully sort through a bin of wood looking for specific pieces. I found one store which had a nice display of several kinds of oud, so I thought I'd see if I could an education. Waleed was kind enough to help me, but his English was a bit sketchy. I hope I kept the details right.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">He pointed to the different windows and gave the prices and their rankings. The most expensive was over $1000 Saudi riyals for 30 ounces and the prices, and apparently quality, went down to about 350 SR. They were also from different countries. One was from Cambodia, another from India, etc. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyY1E2o8kn8bHrUHQ8cHYSGZAu51NTNHOHC84N6DgYnicyFeidULyiZzD0ky-ziq_Ti4YyYC6JJwgDAhovq0RnrUnIjTR8SPq7uJzrixItnno3VBLarcpCK1A-rdsshSS0jp3oi62Zi5O/s1600/IMG_20190316_191002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyY1E2o8kn8bHrUHQ8cHYSGZAu51NTNHOHC84N6DgYnicyFeidULyiZzD0ky-ziq_Ti4YyYC6JJwgDAhovq0RnrUnIjTR8SPq7uJzrixItnno3VBLarcpCK1A-rdsshSS0jp3oi62Zi5O/s320/IMG_20190316_191002.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">Waleed went and grabbed the incense burner so he could show me the difference. First step is to light a piece of charcoal. Then you snip off just a tiny piece of wood and put it on top of the charcoal so it smolders and gives off smoke. He did this with a couple versions of oud and the fragrance was a bit different for each. He explained that you burn this for about five minutes in your home and the smell should linger for several days, depending on the quality of the oud.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMsggauf0YSXKotM4dcnLZY6sqfhqWSOkcKtV8VPSld1Args9Ut5cmKVuootRBV9zoGNsHHNvuNqCCHYQyyeuhcOW6zCk61Fy5CiY0JFdk5v1_q9NYp-pnE60jMjxJ5N21GPxw_Or_j8L/s1600/ooud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="736" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMsggauf0YSXKotM4dcnLZY6sqfhqWSOkcKtV8VPSld1Args9Ut5cmKVuootRBV9zoGNsHHNvuNqCCHYQyyeuhcOW6zCk61Fy5CiY0JFdk5v1_q9NYp-pnE60jMjxJ5N21GPxw_Or_j8L/s400/ooud.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">The amount you see on the left is 30 ounces and four pieces. Waleed then took snippers and cut it into smaller pieces. The size you need is smaller than your pinky fingernail though.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrRmBSg5eEukB-gtTs-zZqMDUkalK4jGDnOmX_5joI2OYaKI_c74Eo0hquhNaN-q9Z17DoXXlOMHnHGhEB59soFlgVPe9yxdJBkJentyD_vzLuJ253_tKF9Wibza1Pwt3mE75O4zfK3f3/s1600/IMG_20190316_191705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1600" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrRmBSg5eEukB-gtTs-zZqMDUkalK4jGDnOmX_5joI2OYaKI_c74Eo0hquhNaN-q9Z17DoXXlOMHnHGhEB59soFlgVPe9yxdJBkJentyD_vzLuJ253_tKF9Wibza1Pwt3mE75O4zfK3f3/s400/IMG_20190316_191705.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">Here you can kind of make out the bit of shiny edge as the resin is melting and smoking.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzt7Sauw73Z9vn3pMNqasxcS6fZjlI-Lf8KH0RBwmonbsS2WJMuEXPw9g8LYaikazxluQGbpur-EWCXlG1NiWUxI2G0Q0sjWtGF4MDUFdVv6cjJqHcCooPBOKpNvY7Db4YP9sW7ziOgXo9/s1600/IMG_20190316_191339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzt7Sauw73Z9vn3pMNqasxcS6fZjlI-Lf8KH0RBwmonbsS2WJMuEXPw9g8LYaikazxluQGbpur-EWCXlG1NiWUxI2G0Q0sjWtGF4MDUFdVv6cjJqHcCooPBOKpNvY7Db4YP9sW7ziOgXo9/s200/IMG_20190316_191339.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">Waleed then showed me another product which is a paste made from oud resin, other fragrances, balsam, patchouli, and more. There are also some woods that have extra fragrance soaked into them. These are known as bakhoor.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">Once the incense or bakhoor is burning, you only need to let it burn for about five minutes, preferably walking around your house with it or wafting it on your clothes. The fragrance can linger in your house for several days.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">There are so many to choose from, but Waleed gave me the snipped pieces you see above and a sample of a couple pieces of paste. I look forward to trying them out back in Sacramento!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span>Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-22553329827559211912019-03-06T22:56:00.002-08:002019-04-23T03:33:39.635-07:00Al Baik - Saudis' Favorite Fast Food Chain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Osjx-BrMmzh_A5wyx4NXoUgTy1Tpms8jNmM67FwJBwzgnUmHrJ03qpkdTUk6lgkXlT0mP0giIvzCW3wo43zsDZGql0herWZk4pjJUMq8LsQooIEffFm1Y0S8I-eiyTf4BxQd9fNb_-j0/s1600/IMG_20190306_211012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Osjx-BrMmzh_A5wyx4NXoUgTy1Tpms8jNmM67FwJBwzgnUmHrJ03qpkdTUk6lgkXlT0mP0giIvzCW3wo43zsDZGql0herWZk4pjJUMq8LsQooIEffFm1Y0S8I-eiyTf4BxQd9fNb_-j0/s640/IMG_20190306_211012.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've been going into Jeddah quite a bit while I'm here and notice the same thing every time we drive past an <a href="http://www.albaik.com/en">Al Baik</a> ... it's crowded!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The number one fast food chain in Saudi Arabia is </span><a href="http://www.albaik.com/en" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Al Baik</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. The name is derived from <span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">the title used to refer to an important person in Turkish – similar to “Sir”.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> It's meant as a respectful way to address its customers. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The chain serves fried chicken, shrimp, and fish and you have a choice of regular or spicy coatings. They do not use chicken mince in their nuggets, instead they are whole breast meat pieces. Like Colonel Sanders and KFC, there is a secret blend of spices that are used in the coating. Finally, they have a signature garlic aioli that is served with everything - and it's pretty good!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had a hankering for fried chicken last night and it's the only fast food that is not on the KAUST campus (surprisingly). Since I was going to Balad again, I decided it would be a good opportunity to try them out and battle the pressing crowds I always see.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But I was surprised because for the first time I was confronted by the gender segregation I'd so often heard about. Saudi Arabia has segregated stores and restaurants due to their strict adherence to Islam. That means that unaccompanied women cannot eat in the same area with any unrelated men. As a child I was always with my father, so I was accompanied by a male family member. Back then there were also not many places to go out to eat anyway. Yet I had often heard and knew that there was segregation in the restaurants. Better establishments had sectioned off rooms while other establishments would have men inside and women were stuck outside. Air conditioning and comfort vs none. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22oGkYKKVAP2DbBwMDa4ZcX0pOy-MAWXphmuvRnmE-9jURAsJhnLYag3gs4uK5VR38EY8cyaSUm_1t32Oyug__hnD-2C5iz0Byq7SJ0CdDiO1C7UL3gon7SpaKcarlxKse4fxW-_mMB0d/s1600/IMG_20190306_210956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22oGkYKKVAP2DbBwMDa4ZcX0pOy-MAWXphmuvRnmE-9jURAsJhnLYag3gs4uK5VR38EY8cyaSUm_1t32Oyug__hnD-2C5iz0Byq7SJ0CdDiO1C7UL3gon7SpaKcarlxKse4fxW-_mMB0d/s320/IMG_20190306_210956.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Things are changing in the kingdom and you do see a lot more freedom of movement for the women here. It's especially easier for those that are still completely covered. As a Westerner, I go around without my head uncovered and I tend to think that if I had wanted to, I might have been able to go into the men's side to order. But frankly, I didn't want to. The men's side is chaos and I thought I might have quicker and better service if I just went to the women's side.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">In the picture at the top you can see the men's side in the left, pretty crowded. You can see the partition for women's side toward the right and how much narrower that side is.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The women's side was also a bit chaotic with only one register. Service takes a while and so I had to wait and ask the ladies to help me to recognize when my number came up. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9CS0DI3jl-TkXN95TbrDJvbwWUpBHSAXG_F6bGax-56hgKyVd_OKgAIQhPqW6RU7KHqmkRBjcgbjvcFE9fSy0OuoP4LwmLaUMhUUNnZDV8rHXgb1aYlxHa-zKkvLrTxzY9H1LTp90P2P/s1600/20120721_ALBAIK-Chicken.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="555" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9CS0DI3jl-TkXN95TbrDJvbwWUpBHSAXG_F6bGax-56hgKyVd_OKgAIQhPqW6RU7KHqmkRBjcgbjvcFE9fSy0OuoP4LwmLaUMhUUNnZDV8rHXgb1aYlxHa-zKkvLrTxzY9H1LTp90P2P/s320/20120721_ALBAIK-Chicken.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">What about the food? </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I actually carried it around while I continued shopping to save it for eating on the bus. No pictures because I ate in the dark. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I ordered a four piece chicken meal. It came with french fries and a bun. At first I thought, "oh, there's a biscuit in here!" only to find out it was simply a burger bun. I did not eat that. The fries were typical fast food fries and would have been better with more salt.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I ordered the spicy chicken and it did have some heat to it. I liked that it was a very different spicy than, say, Popeye's. More like a tandoori type of spicy. What impressed me was that it permeated deep into the meat. When I pulled apart the breast, there were streaks of red spice well into the center. The coating was good and probably crispy had I eaten it right away.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They have cocktail sauce and garlic sauce and I tried the garlic. I have to say, I'd love it if some American chains served garlic sauce.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was definitely an experience. I doubt I'll go again unless my fried chicken craving is too strong. The ordeal of ordering and waiting is a bit much. Although, now that I think about it, I often deal with that at In-N-Out!</span>Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-59830834569744566252019-03-02T02:26:00.001-08:002019-04-23T03:33:47.011-07:00Visiting Al-Balad - the Old City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU08OjPZpRcYL6JIRg6lV_l-sy23P1zn3Ke0pBOHzkz12mOmrwF1l9aZFZ6yiQyZLzfdNj9O0qsWlcspR2VEBtE8SUBPLlVcEuj-NhkJqndShPWzq6H5HJE6Pv-oXcHNusejjHNIhdz1U/s1600/IMG_20190222_175129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU08OjPZpRcYL6JIRg6lV_l-sy23P1zn3Ke0pBOHzkz12mOmrwF1l9aZFZ6yiQyZLzfdNj9O0qsWlcspR2VEBtE8SUBPLlVcEuj-NhkJqndShPWzq6H5HJE6Pv-oXcHNusejjHNIhdz1U/s640/IMG_20190222_175129.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you have ever seen the movie <b>Lawrence of Arabia</b>, you know it takes place around the first World War when the British were aiding the Arabs in overthrowing the Ottoman Empire that had controlled the region off and on for centuries. Most of what you see is a land of Bedouin tribes that roam the region with their camels and goats. Rarely is there a scene of an actual town.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOr3oAz_3SRxMoJCj2QoZWlCEvdTSSmd1t6jCL-q0k_JU02x_k5Im4AuQrF563NfrYowD7Qk7hK0gV32w4meH8CBjcspk2hUzlEAXxJb2-EHzsMjjksTRhq6M0xRzFkO72uLjrjSmeFBC/s1600/IMG_20190222_173320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1600" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOr3oAz_3SRxMoJCj2QoZWlCEvdTSSmd1t6jCL-q0k_JU02x_k5Im4AuQrF563NfrYowD7Qk7hK0gV32w4meH8CBjcspk2hUzlEAXxJb2-EHzsMjjksTRhq6M0xRzFkO72uLjrjSmeFBC/s320/IMG_20190222_173320.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">minor gate into Balad from Corniche Commercial side</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That's why it is somewhat surprising to find buildings that are over 400 years old in the old section of Jeddah known as Al-Balad. On the one hand you have the images of the movie in your head, while on the other you have a logical realization that people have lived in the region for thousands of years. It only makes sense that there would be a very old city on the shores of the Red Sea. A city that has been not only a port for centuries of trade, but also as a landing place for people on their way to the Holy City of Mecca. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs-Ukfgyqo_P78brlN_-ZYvP47z7kP7EbvTks0t87rWNZz2Kbm2x47xbzOjrcPI0S9ue1EXXpUpysaQCG4eTW2v1XO03DfOat-MSdlK_-wK3dDh6ghTOuGYjhx7K4BkwVzY7_AoIKrjnx/s1600/52605711_10157443400923352_6480543163567046656_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="962" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs-Ukfgyqo_P78brlN_-ZYvP47z7kP7EbvTks0t87rWNZz2Kbm2x47xbzOjrcPI0S9ue1EXXpUpysaQCG4eTW2v1XO03DfOat-MSdlK_-wK3dDh6ghTOuGYjhx7K4BkwVzY7_AoIKrjnx/s320/52605711_10157443400923352_6480543163567046656_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Balad, for short, is a historic district in much need of preservation. It is rare to see the old style of Arab homes still existing when there is so much modernization all around. There are also the problems of deterioration as some buildings are apparently sinking into the ground due to flood damage and time. This includes the main mosque, which the government is trying to restore.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here I am with my roommate, Azhar. She's a Saudi and acted as my translator for the day. Her family lives in Mecca and part of her ancestry includes Indian blood. She reminds me that for all those centuries, the Red Sea coast of Saudi was quite cosmopolitan due to all the trade. She says that when the country was unified in 1930, all inhabitants were granted Saudi citizenship, no matter what their background. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJJhuLeB0FOHmHv9iLP1q7c9Dm7F7pg3rnExplEern7IZdFQZK9IlvAozFNFAXkRpIAUCdf2rnWn4aAZTkGopi_nGB4M-rNILP73FY3XAt5QlIStIJdJR7JMt5DmyznQJ7GD0Ip1Lngcu/s1600/hejaz+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJJhuLeB0FOHmHv9iLP1q7c9Dm7F7pg3rnExplEern7IZdFQZK9IlvAozFNFAXkRpIAUCdf2rnWn4aAZTkGopi_nGB4M-rNILP73FY3XAt5QlIStIJdJR7JMt5DmyznQJ7GD0Ip1Lngcu/s640/hejaz+house.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hejaz House</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Most of the old homes in Balad are vacant now, although some have been turned into museums. During evening prayers we stopped at the Hejaz House, one of the old homes that has been turned into a coffee house and museum. While there, a family sat next to us and started a conversation with my roommate in Arabic. She told me that the wife's father still owns a nearby house that the family has owned for many generations. Like others, they have moved to more modern accommodations, but have held onto the home and are investing in its preservation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Speaking of Prayer Time, take a listen to this clip. Forget the picture because it is unimportant. It's the sound of about a half dozen mosques all calling for prayer at the same time. I've heard a lot of calls to prayer in my life, but never so many together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There's a real beauty in the old buildings and their windows. The old shutter-balconies are called <span style="color: #2c3643;">Hejazi </span><em style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #2c3643; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">mashrabiyya.</em></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJxkSJGNEmgDql2pBpmbFkLC5NFVG73wjoO6XbwxTa12i4cbVO-t8kQkVgECz_7Jgpe6z1ngxrictUazsK2yEnn-wpERNm1iy_Row69gpVmgH0gQqPxHAVvVGMhzgXGuR5ijXKTkPNisV/s1600/balad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1083" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJxkSJGNEmgDql2pBpmbFkLC5NFVG73wjoO6XbwxTa12i4cbVO-t8kQkVgECz_7Jgpe6z1ngxrictUazsK2yEnn-wpERNm1iy_Row69gpVmgH0gQqPxHAVvVGMhzgXGuR5ijXKTkPNisV/s1600/balad.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QfrxlLfAv_IfwM2As_ixRoLtcGntzNxDl9SntUybwQielFCWxVzfIrHGrSLV743Q3ZGqgHrgHl-YlMyefTu5A_yAziZVM5T0YO7A4mXn8npvboHH9QMgU3Gz3pymEExaHydyGf2okTPa/s1600/IMG_20190222_175825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QfrxlLfAv_IfwM2As_ixRoLtcGntzNxDl9SntUybwQielFCWxVzfIrHGrSLV743Q3ZGqgHrgHl-YlMyefTu5A_yAziZVM5T0YO7A4mXn8npvboHH9QMgU3Gz3pymEExaHydyGf2okTPa/s640/IMG_20190222_175825.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_6lyGqivvsZ3U0UNZ3MKctBVl25CXLEULhJuaRU9ttDlnLUJDlrO8E02a3SdGuFGIaKxpYHHEqfCgdM1DKgjDBNk7qJDbBgp-EQ1bEYj60frbBXV9xrZzrFPZZMkzUZmximVaFVwoF7K/s1600/IMG_20190222_180129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_6lyGqivvsZ3U0UNZ3MKctBVl25CXLEULhJuaRU9ttDlnLUJDlrO8E02a3SdGuFGIaKxpYHHEqfCgdM1DKgjDBNk7qJDbBgp-EQ1bEYj60frbBXV9xrZzrFPZZMkzUZmximVaFVwoF7K/s640/IMG_20190222_180129.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DrRFK1gzoxAR4P3dDNkRRN1Tubax9EjJItLcV21qTlFO3-8uleSj9Tf6maaQp8D92XIVZETDPV1K7PC8-LUBtrsOz4IqJ_jegpcYeo7LQHWvkGqvtz6E2TgeZCMG07EHFySydKmKbvKt/s1600/IMG_20190222_180151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DrRFK1gzoxAR4P3dDNkRRN1Tubax9EjJItLcV21qTlFO3-8uleSj9Tf6maaQp8D92XIVZETDPV1K7PC8-LUBtrsOz4IqJ_jegpcYeo7LQHWvkGqvtz6E2TgeZCMG07EHFySydKmKbvKt/s640/IMG_20190222_180151.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We also went to another museum, the Matbouli House. Inside it was a maze of floors, stairways, tucked away rooms.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I was hoping to stumble across the old style souks from my childhood, but not on this day. There may be a second Balad post later in my stay as I plan to return a couple of times for exploration. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095686325017405804.post-72013196184584166232019-02-21T23:33:00.001-08:002019-04-23T03:33:06.067-07:00Shopping in Arabian Malls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqrOUsl2l9SQ4LYQ_ys5fq49ETnxJLbp9U2iBtFFN25cKwqM1ysFrjVNjbBnFQTAdLitSFsjY7ILJ8_K_Vf1VTi0R_kL52REeqHjvL9YNLl6_7l1k_88KRY-L9lY8oKLrVeIU0y0FhZ4f/s1600/riyadh-shopping-mall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="650" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqrOUsl2l9SQ4LYQ_ys5fq49ETnxJLbp9U2iBtFFN25cKwqM1ysFrjVNjbBnFQTAdLitSFsjY7ILJ8_K_Vf1VTi0R_kL52REeqHjvL9YNLl6_7l1k_88KRY-L9lY8oKLrVeIU0y0FhZ4f/s640/riyadh-shopping-mall.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first mall in Jeddah was built in the early 1980s. By the time I had last visited the Kingdom there were no malls yet in the Eastern Province where I was. I did not have the experience of an Arab shopping mall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Since my arrival I have gone to two malls in Jeddah. The Red Sea Mall and the Mall of Arabia. Both are the biggest ones here and I have a preference for the Red Sea Mall as the other is undergoing renovations and had less stores of interest to me. The Mall of Arabia is better for families because it has a large amusement park section on the ground level with rides and games. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Businesses in Saudi stay open late. With much of the year being very hot, things pretty much spring to life at sunset. Businesses here stay open to midnight or later. During Ramadan restaurants, especially, can stay open until 3 or 4 a.m. This is forcing me into a later pattern than I am used to. I'm generally a morning/day person due to my light sensitivity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Many international brands are here: H&M, Body Shop, Clarks, DKNY, etc. There are also some European brands such as Boots and Marks & Spencer. I also found the Turkish equivalent of Payless Shoes. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are many stores that are, of course, unfamiliar.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Being outside KAUST, I must wear an abaya, although I can leave my head uncovered. For the local women, you will see quite the assortment. The liberal women are uncovered, the conservative are completely covered (including face), and the moderates have their hair covered, but not their faces.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Shortly after arrival I experienced a flash from the past as the businesses began to shut down for Prayer Time. Muslims pray five times a day and in the evening there is one at sunset and another a few hours after that. This was the last prayer of the day around 8 p.m. It is best to time dinner for Prayer Time so that you have something to occupy you while shops are closed for 20-45 minutes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The food courts are just as varied as the shops. There are Burger King, KFC, McDonald's, Popeye's, Tim Horton's from the west as well as international cuisine options. My first night I opted for Indian and my second night I stumbled across a Yemeni stand. So glad I tried it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had a meat mugalgal, which is a stew that is popular throughout the peninsula. It came with the most fabulous flatbread. It was large, like a platter, and so flaky! It was a carb cheat day because I couldn't resist!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Upon arrival in Saudi I came to realize some of my dresses wouldn't cut it. I have to have things covering to below the elbows and knees. One dress showed my knees and another had too high a slit. This was my goal in the shopping trips, along with some black, low heel shoes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I entered H&M, gathered an armload of clothes, and then went in search of a Fitting Room. They were all marked 'closed' and finally I had to ask and everyone gave me bewildered stares and said, 'closed!'. It was not until I later talked to people at work that I learned there are few fitting rooms in Saudi. Instead, you purchase the clothes, go to a Ladies' restroom, try them on, and, if necessary, return them. This explained why there was a long return line at the register.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was on a deadline and ignorant of this fact. Keep in mind that things here are marked in European measurements for the most part. I paid for my items and, luckily, returned home to find that I had picked out my sizes perfectly. Phew!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Returning to the bathroom situation, the first mall had no changing rooms that I saw. Only toilets. It was the second mall that had an area of changing rooms separated from the toilets/hammams. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnYbFanKHQXh0eStJkyuzCgvW1HZKvgl538h7Az8Ah7EKqHscHv5mueVW-FAhxaf3kwsYC531IMFH9tLNfaZG6d6TyFb0Y0rlnNujokOyUk92f5Fgqzbke4qfMLjK5lNNQftPO2x7R5S6/s1600/IMG_20190218_192053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1313" data-original-width="1600" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnYbFanKHQXh0eStJkyuzCgvW1HZKvgl538h7Az8Ah7EKqHscHv5mueVW-FAhxaf3kwsYC531IMFH9tLNfaZG6d6TyFb0Y0rlnNujokOyUk92f5Fgqzbke4qfMLjK5lNNQftPO2x7R5S6/s320/IMG_20190218_192053.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For Arabs 'hammam' means bathroom. It was at Mall of Arabia that I encountered my first on this trip. I couldn't find a western toilet and had to go like a native. While there are arguably benefits to this style, I find it rather a pain when you are dealing with abayas that already skirt the floor as it is. Hammams are a lot wetter and so one must take a lot of care gathering up clothes. So glad I wasn't wearing pants that day or I'd have had to deal with pulling down as well as gathering up! The hose you see is present in both toilets and hammams for additional cleaning 'down there', if necessary. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I no longer have much of a need to go to the malls now that I have what I need, but may still venture to some of the others as it is something to do as a means of entertainment, so to speak. The Red Sea Mall has the first movie theater in Jeddah that only opened recently. It is, not surprisingly, so popular that you must reserve seats as soon as the date opens up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'd much rather shop the streetside shops and markets much like I remember them. This I will do tonight with my Saudi roommate, Azhar, who has agreed to be my guide and translator. That post soon!</span><br />
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<br />Ms Munchiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212228961438785991noreply@blogger.com