Alas, I missed to add Day 11. Not deliberate, had no time to add an entry as had to fly back in later half. Anyways, the label Desert Rain is not inspired by Desert rose, this one is literal. It did rain in Riyadh on Day 12. Rain is a rare phenomena in this part, but low pressure conditions due to Sand Storm in the region with some western wind flow led to rain on our way back to airport. Not sure how city will cope with this. Am not sure if they have anything for rain water drainage, saw no evidence. Anyways back to Riyadh.
In these 12 odd days what impression has Riyadh left on me. Whats my take on the city. For one I would reiterate, its a Business only city for expats from outside Gulf. There is no means of entertainment that we know off, exists. So spending time on weekends remains an issue. In-spite of laws and harsher punishment there are instances of petty crimes with expats as could make out from the newspapers
This brings me to the question on news reporting. Saudi Arabia is not a democracy, its a Kingdom and guess that should say it all. State issues and those related to royal family and their schemes dominate the news. Same is true on international issues. News related to Gulf region and those of Islamic dominated areas is in Focus. For instance there was an image on one of the days, regarding some unease in a part of Kashmir following death of a youth following a truck accident, right on front page. Syria issue dominates the news, Bahrain unrest is on the sides and inside pages if any. Mention of Iran in reports is different if you read similar reports in India and US/UK. Well every place is entitled to have their own perspective on things. Guess its not a matter of whats right or wrong, its what you have lived and heard throughout that you related more to.
Moving on, life for expats and women specially is different, where not only have you got to behave in a certain way, you also need to dress up in a Abaya. Separate office spaces, eating areas, no driving allowed are less of hassles when you know even venturing out alone is not a norm. Islam is the state religion and only religion that can be practiced. Same goes with food options. Even the airlines Saudia only offers local food cuisines and no specific options for Vegetarianians. May not be a norm for airlines worldwide, but in a state where things are not modeled based on other places' practices, this is not an exception.
Well this is one of the few states, which has cultural police apart from police for law and order. No, am not referring to the self proclaimed custodians a la some weird organizations in India et all who impose their beliefs on others. This one is official. And given what i have said till date their task is cut out. Anyways, they or the police does not trouble people unnecessarily. Its all about what moral behavior is expected and how you adhere to that.
Riyadh to me represents a contrast, Its growing and Infrastructure is developing rapidly. On the way from airport to the City, it appears that City is under construction. Large parts of land where construction is on and that includes a women university. There is a debate to let women drive et all. The contrast on the other side that Riyadh represents is the way folks live. Participation of women in workforce.
Off course all this I write is based on my perspective, which has been shaped by what i have learned is right and wrong, appropriate or not, fair or unfair. In no way i can be an absolute judge of this. May be from another perspective, our way is inappropriate.
Anyways, as we drive past the city back to the airport, its drizzling, rare rains in this part of the world. Riyadh it seems wanted me to see all its sides and shades, no matter how rare they are. This has been an altogether different experience to me, enriching as well to see how different life a city just few thousand miles away can be. We may be sharing one earth, but it has so many worlds in it. So many view points and I guess our earth has space for all those. As long as we can learn to respect the others view point.
Until next time, when another business brings be to Riyadh, its time to bid farewell both to the city and this blog. Cheers and take care.
In these 12 odd days what impression has Riyadh left on me. Whats my take on the city. For one I would reiterate, its a Business only city for expats from outside Gulf. There is no means of entertainment that we know off, exists. So spending time on weekends remains an issue. In-spite of laws and harsher punishment there are instances of petty crimes with expats as could make out from the newspapers
This brings me to the question on news reporting. Saudi Arabia is not a democracy, its a Kingdom and guess that should say it all. State issues and those related to royal family and their schemes dominate the news. Same is true on international issues. News related to Gulf region and those of Islamic dominated areas is in Focus. For instance there was an image on one of the days, regarding some unease in a part of Kashmir following death of a youth following a truck accident, right on front page. Syria issue dominates the news, Bahrain unrest is on the sides and inside pages if any. Mention of Iran in reports is different if you read similar reports in India and US/UK. Well every place is entitled to have their own perspective on things. Guess its not a matter of whats right or wrong, its what you have lived and heard throughout that you related more to.
Moving on, life for expats and women specially is different, where not only have you got to behave in a certain way, you also need to dress up in a Abaya. Separate office spaces, eating areas, no driving allowed are less of hassles when you know even venturing out alone is not a norm. Islam is the state religion and only religion that can be practiced. Same goes with food options. Even the airlines Saudia only offers local food cuisines and no specific options for Vegetarianians. May not be a norm for airlines worldwide, but in a state where things are not modeled based on other places' practices, this is not an exception.
Well this is one of the few states, which has cultural police apart from police for law and order. No, am not referring to the self proclaimed custodians a la some weird organizations in India et all who impose their beliefs on others. This one is official. And given what i have said till date their task is cut out. Anyways, they or the police does not trouble people unnecessarily. Its all about what moral behavior is expected and how you adhere to that.
Riyadh to me represents a contrast, Its growing and Infrastructure is developing rapidly. On the way from airport to the City, it appears that City is under construction. Large parts of land where construction is on and that includes a women university. There is a debate to let women drive et all. The contrast on the other side that Riyadh represents is the way folks live. Participation of women in workforce.
Off course all this I write is based on my perspective, which has been shaped by what i have learned is right and wrong, appropriate or not, fair or unfair. In no way i can be an absolute judge of this. May be from another perspective, our way is inappropriate.
Anyways, as we drive past the city back to the airport, its drizzling, rare rains in this part of the world. Riyadh it seems wanted me to see all its sides and shades, no matter how rare they are. This has been an altogether different experience to me, enriching as well to see how different life a city just few thousand miles away can be. We may be sharing one earth, but it has so many worlds in it. So many view points and I guess our earth has space for all those. As long as we can learn to respect the others view point.
Until next time, when another business brings be to Riyadh, its time to bid farewell both to the city and this blog. Cheers and take care.
Ah initial Post was Day 10 and 11, whilst it should have been 11 and 12. Corrected.
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