Leaving the Arabian Peninsula

This travel taught me many things in really shocking ways. I was able to learn middle eastern cultures in safer environment than any other countries. Not only because it is an allied country of United States, but also because of its modernized laws. However, the travel raised a level of concern for me at the same time because there are some violent militant groups who might be the threat of United States and western states even in Saudi Arabia. Even though the public is generous to the tourists, but we never know how militant groups will act on. The travel taught me to view things more realistically. I always though Saudi Arabia as a friendly country, but it turned out there is a potential threat to american people in the country.

Now it is your turn. It is your turn to experience Middle Eastern culture and make a connection why there are so many conflicts around Middle East, especially with United Stats. I think Saudi Arabia is the best country to feel the middle eastern culture's bright and dark aspects at the same time.

Saudi Yemeni war

There is a country called Yemen in south western part of Arabian Peninsula. Like some other middle eastern countries, Yemen is in the civil war. Frustrated Yemeni people overran the capital, and forced west-backed president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi to leave the country. It is a major problem to Saudi Arabia not only becaus it will possibly interrupt the relationship with Yemen for Saudi, but also military conflicts in their borders are quite irritating. As a traveler, I was limited from the troops to enter southewestern part of Saudi Arabia because of conflicts between Yemen and Saudi. Therefore, to support the present government of Yemen, Saudi lauched air strikes, bombings and sea shells to help the present government and finish the civil war in Yemen quickly.

Yummy Yummy

I think food was just as I expected. People usually ate homemade loaves of bread for their daily meals. Before Saudi Arabia became the real country, arabians were nomadic people, wandering around the place to feed their goats, cattles, and sheep. Their traditional dishes are really easy to carry during the travel. Food such as, fatir (flat bread), arikah (bread from the southwestern part of the country), and hawayij (a spice blend) are traditional dishes still eaten by many saudi arabians.

Not only geography, but Islam also influenced Saudi Arabians' diets. Since Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam, conservative elders and many Islamic followers abstain from eating porks and drinking alcohols. In Quran, Pigs are the animals that have deveils inside, and Islamic followers believe eating porks will bring devils into their bodies.

Kingdom is located in the corner of Asia, Africa, and Europe. However, people still eat same food over the centuries that hardly any of their diets are different from few centuries ago. Bedouin nomads have different kinds of dishes compared to urban saudi arabians, but the basic ingredients are the same: fava beans, wheat, rice, yogurt, dates, and chicken are staple foods for all Saudis.


 

Jeddah

Jeddah is the second largest city of the Kingdom. As a capital, Jeddah, indeed, is the most bureoning city in the kingdom with varieties of the activies and sights. Like other countries, Jeddha has really hot and dry weather with extreme temperature differences. The best time to visit Jeddha is between November through February. I got lucky, and visited Jeddha in the best time possible. Usually temperature ranges from 70's to 90 at most, which is fairly low compared to other months of the kingdom. It was a good weather for me to participate into activites and experience cultures.




















There are many activities in Jeddha that tourists can enjoy, and experience Saudi Arabian cultures. Unlike other cities of Saudi Arabi, in Jeddha, I could experience unique blending of cultures. Jeddha is located in the middle of eastern red sea, so many people traveling through the water stops by Jeddah. There is a culture blending of many countries such as, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, and Ethiopia, and all of these countries share border with the red sea. There is a fish market near the coast. In the market, there are nearly 50 species of fish. People were not allowed take pictures or videos because market is locared really close to the coast guard and the port until 2010.

Among many landmarks and activites, I really enjoyed looking at King Saud Mosque. King Saud Mosque was finished in 1987. It was desgined by the egyptian architect, Abdel Wahed El-Wakil. It is the largest mosque in Jeddah city. Its main features consist of a large dome reaching a span of 20 m, two smaller symmetrically arranged 12 m domes, and a series of small 6 m domes covering the remaining bays of the prayer hall.

First day into Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a monarch that is a birthplace of Islam and two holiest Islam shrines in Mecca and Medina. It has really hot and dry weather like other middle east countries. Most of the land is made out of dry sandy terrain, which causes the great extremeties in temperature. Even though Saudi Arabia is one of the few allies of United States, there are some groups of people who hate americans and westerners in general. Some terrorist groups may target western tourists, and spots that tourists go often. Last January, two american tourists have been shot and injured in Hofuf in Alhasa Governorate. So I had to make sure everythings was safe and good for me and people around me.

Since 2005, the Arabian kingdom has modernized drastically over a decade. Not only they started building modern skyscrapers, but also societal wise. The government offers more opportunites to women like suffrage, and running for the election, attracts more foreign investment, and increases a role of private sectors in the economy.